Commodity Compliance Counsel (1125)

Aramco Trading Americas 

Houston, TX - Full Time 

OVERVIEW

Aramco Trading Americas (ATA) is seeking to hire Commodity Compliance Counsel with expertise in commodities trading and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will support ATA’s Supply and Trading business and all related regulatory compliance legal workstreams in support of the business.   The position will provide regulatory advice and support for domestic and international physical commodity and related derivative trading activities.  This individual will have robust experience with trade regulatory issues related to physical and financial hydrocarbon trading activity.

This role reports to the ATA Chief Counsel and works closely with other commercial and compliance counsel in ATA’s legal team.  This role will also act as a liaison with other lawyers in ATA’s affiliated companies in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia to ensure coordinated regulatory compliance activities within the global trading enterprise.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise and counsel the trading business regarding compliance with U.S. federal regulations applicable to commodity trading activities, including compliance with the CFTC, FERC, FTC, DOJ, the OFAC and self-regulatory organizations (SROs), as well as all regulations imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act
• Liaise, as appropriate, with cross-functional teams responsible for responding to requests for information, regulatory inquires, and investigations initiated by federal agencies (i.e., CFTC, FTC and the OFAC) and SROs (i.e., NYMEX and ICE)
• Provide advice regarding transactions and transactional structures to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations
• Supervise and manage the creation and implementation of compliance policies and procedures relating to commodity trading activities
• Prepare and deliver training regarding legal, regulatory, and compliance issues relating to commodity trading
• Manage outside counsel in regulatory, investigative, and compliance matters
• Keep informed of and advise on new laws, regulations, and industry trends
• Take on any additional special projects and support other compliance program initiatives as necessary

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• JD degree with strong academic credentials
• An active license to practice law in the US
• Minimum of 8+ years of legal experience; preferably 4+ years related to regulatory trade compliance in either private practice or in an in-house legal department
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to precisely draft documents, policies, and legal guidance that is concise and digestible for non-lawyers
• Detail oriented, organized, and effectively able to manage multiple matters while balancing competing deadlines 
• Capable of working independently, with others in the legal department, and across the company with non-lawyer stakeholders
• Must be able to work in an office environment located in downtown Houston, TX

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience partnering with compliance organizations to support the design, implementation, and administration of trade compliance programs
• Experience handling commercial matters related to supply, trading, and logistics
• Experience in FCPA, Anti-Boycott, Anti-Corruption, Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Trust and other corporate compliance legal advisory support