Legal Counsel - Corporate and Commercial Contracts

At Motiva, our employees’ energy, passion, and dedication to excellence are what make us who we are and what allows us to generate energy that makes a house a home, gets us from point A to point B, and enables our health and wellbeing. We invest in every aspect of our employees’ lives because, at Motiva, our people matter.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Motiva refines, distributes, and markets petroleum products throughout the Americas. The company’s Port Arthur Manufacturing Complex in Port Arthur, TX, is comprised of North America’s largest refinery with a total throughput of 720,000 barrels per day, the world’s second largest base oil plant, and an integrated chemical plant. Under exclusive long-term brand licenses with Shell and Phillips 66 (for the 76® brand), Motiva’s commercial operations supply more than 12 billion gallons of fuel to customers annually. Motiva is wholly owned by Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies.

Position Overview:

Motiva is seeking a dynamic Legal Counsel - Corporate and Commercial Contracts prepared to tackle a spectrum of intricate and demanding tasks. The successful candidate will provide legal support to our indirect contracts and procurement team. The candidate will guide procurement endeavors linked to corporate activities, Information Security, Information Technology, and Operational Technology.  As needed, the candidate may contribute to activities involving Refining, Chemicals, Capital Projects, and/or other functions. Previous legal experience in drafting and negotiating diverse corporate and commercial contracts is essential for this role. This role reports to the Managing Counsel – Corporate and Commercial Contracts.

This position is based at our Corporate Headquarters in downtown Houston, Texas, and may require travel to Port Arthur, Texas, and other various sites as needed.

Please note that this role is open to local candidates only, as relocation assistance is not available for candidates residing outside commuting distance.

Responsibilities:

• Providing high-level legal support to the Commercial and Operations organizations, as well as corporate functions.

• Leading the review, drafting, negotiation, and advising in the administration of:

  • Agreements related to IT and OT products and services, including SaaS agreements, licensing agreements, subscription agreements, access agreements, cloud agreements, service level agreements, end user license agreements, purchase agreements, and services agreements;

  • Agreements relating to information security, including data processing agreements, services agreements, purchase agreements, and consulting agreements;

  • Agreements related to corporate services, including consulting agreements, subscription agreements, services agreements;

  • Intercompany agreements;

  • Non-disclosure agreements; and

  • Such other commercial agreements as needed from time to time.

• Interfacing with various Motiva departments to ensure contracting activities and terms comply with Motiva policies and procedures.

• Identifying legal risks, sensitivities and potential problems and proposing constructive, commercially realistic solutions to senior management.

• Working with cross-functional teams to improve processes involving the legal department and contracts, including other support functions including Risk and Insurance, Credit, Finance, Tax, HSSE, Audit, and Legal and Compliance in support of individual projects.

• Maintaining and improving contract templates, approved responses, and standard procedures regarding contracts.

• Educating and training clients on relevant legal issues and contracting principles and negotiation.

• Assisting with statements of work, contract amendments, change orders and vendor disputes.

• Interfacing regularly with commercial and trading teams and staying apprised of transaction status and any related special conditions.

• Meeting tight deadlines and working under pressure in a dynamic environment with frequently changing requirements.

Experience and Qualifications:

Required Education and Experience:

• JD from an accredited US law school with a license to practice law in the State of Texas.

• 4+ years of legal experience.

• Excellent research, writing, analytical and organizational skills.

• Exceptional attention to detail and proficient time management abilities.

• Flexibility to work in fast paced, high-energy environment and manage multiple competing priorities within challenging timeframes.

• Demonstrable record as someone who can coordinate with a variety of stakeholders to deliver on business objectives.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills including the ability to interact with all levels of staff and management.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Previous experience managing IT and OT contracts and associated risks.

• Familiarity with laws and regulations concerning information security and experience in drafting data processing agreements.

• Experience within the downstream oil & gas sector.

We reserve the right to amend or withdraw Motiva jobs at any time, including prior to the closing date. Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate may be offered a position at a more appropriate level and/or grade.

Applicants for regular U.S. positions must be authorized to work in the United States for Motiva Enterprises LLC without the need for sponsorship of an immigration authorization or visa (for example, TN, H-1B, or other employment-based immigration authorization or visa).

Motiva participates in E-Verify.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information, or other protected status under federal, state, or local laws.