Our client is currently recruiting for a Business Negotiation Lead. Located in Aberdeen, the role will be on a 3 month contract. ROLE Within the context of the company’s strategic objectives the job holder undertakes the identification, evaluation and negotiation of new business opportunities. They should have the ability to think and work independently to maximise value for all Assets (operated and non-operated) and develop business opportunities. They will co-ordinate activities across the Company to develop such opportunities. This may involve co-ordination with other affiliates and within the Paris HQ. They will present their recommendations for internal review at the relevant level of the company. Having received internal approval, the job holder has the mandate to lead negotiations around complex agreements associated with the approved business opportunity and they shall bring any such transaction to completion in a manner consistent with the code of conduct. The incumbent coordinates and participates in formal meetings to enable senior Company management to take business decisions on strategic issues which make an impact on the Company’s bottom line and meet company objectives. The job holder also assists in the formulation of business strategy through the co-ordination of inter-departmental analysis via focused workgroups composed of internal and external industry specialists and regular feedback thereof to senior Company management. RESPONSIBILITIES Business Negotiation: Assist in the development of business strategy by regular contribution to multi-disciplinary and cross asset forums. Identify, develop and promote new business opportunities or divestments in line with the agreed business strategy. Lead multi-disciplinary evaluation of business opportunities, including technical and economic evaluations carried out by other departments. Actively contribute to decision making processes to ensure that the Company’s portfolio reflects strategic objectives. Secure Company (and partner) approval to pursue new business opportunities. Lead complex negotiations to secure maximum value for the Company; identify commercial drivers, negotiation strategy and interact with 3rd parties and other internal departments (e.g. Legal). Take responsibility for final content of fully termed agreements and project manage the Company approval requirements. Work across the business to promote systematic and efficient processes to support business development and decision making Maintain a highly visible and high-profile role within the company and externally to ensure effective communication between all parties and that information is channeled to interested parties. Supervise and mentor less experienced staff. JV Management: Deliver maximum value for the company throughout the asset life cycle from exploration to decommissioning for the relevant UK portfolio managed by SB. Manage Total’s working interest in a manner compliant with the relevant asset agreements and ensure that all obligations are met in a timely manner. Represent the company on asset Operating Committees, together with other related sub-committees. Identify and promote safety and environmental best practice by joint venture asset Operators consistent with company and industry standards. Develop (when appropriate) and ensure that approved work programmes and budgets are established and implemented having been fully evaluated for value delivery and risk management. Support the corporate planning activities as appropriate (PLT, Prime, Budget). Evaluate and make internal recommendations on Operators’ requests for approval of investment plans and budgets. Work with the entire partnership to define and deliver an effective long-term strategy for each asset. Maintain and develop relationships with joint venture Partners to ensure maximum influence is exerted within the joint venture, to be the lead partner and/or to develop alliances with others where appropriate. Identify, develop and promote opportunities for the further development of assets, infrastructure and core areas, applying innovative approaches to deliver added value. Effectively manage the conflicts of interest that arise amongst Partners during the conduct of joint venture business. Actively develop and maintain highly effective and productive relationships within the Business team and with relevant Company contacts to ensure that the team as a whole delivers on non-operated joint venture strategies and that best practice, knowledge and experience is openly disseminated within the Company. Maintain a high level of awareness of non-operated asset costs and actively identify opportunities to reduce/control costs through effective industry networking, bench-marking, etc. Maintain and develop expertise in the area of non-operated asset management and promote and participate in the transfer of such expertise to other areas of the Company and Group. Ensure good knowledge of the relevant JV agreements and contracts by all the relevant personnel in the subsidiary, in particular the governance and contract award provisions, with strict adherence to the contractual obligations and the associated timings. Validate all cash calls before they are sent to the non-operating partners, as well as the follow-up of the cash call payments by such non-operating partners. Ensure the proper preparation and coordination of JV audits (e.g. financial, metering, stock-takes, etc.) by partners, as well as the follow-up and settlement of any exceptions (monetary and procedural) that are made. Ensure a document management system for both hard copy and electronic documents (e.g. correspondence, reports, minutes of meetings, approvals, etc.) is maintained. Ensure compliance with the Organisation Memo (Ref. ORG-EP-FNC-CAS) dated November 2016 on Joint Venture Management. REQUIREMENTS Appropriate honours degree Significant work experience in the oil and gas sector. Ability to represent the Company both internally and externally at a senior level. Leadership and negotiation experience in complex multi-party commercial and contractual agreement development and negotiation. Specialist knowledge of asset management techniques and associated skills (contracts, finance, economic evaluation, taxation, UKCS fiscal regime, business strategy, etc.). Appreciation of associated subsurface disciplines (reservoir engineering, geology and geophysics) and technical disciplines (development and project engineering; process engineering; well engineering; oil/gas processing and drilling operations). Excellent working knowledge of applicable corporate procedures and processes. Excellent commercial, communication and negotiation skills. Good working knowledge of UKCS upstream joint venture business practices and previous participation in complex business transactions. Good knowledge of oil and gas contractual and transactional frameworks including industry codes of practice and guidelines. Good knowledge of economic techniques and business practices used in the oil and gas industry together with an understanding of the UKCS fiscal regime. Knowledge of financing and accounting aspects governing oil and gas companies. Knowledge of the current and anticipated business activities of other companies.