NSTA 459 - Licensing Team Lead

About the team

The team, comprising eight staff located in Aberdeen and London, play a key role at the heart of the NSTA and is responsible for advising on, and taking, decisions on all non-operational aspects of the petroleum licensing regime.  The team issue new licences, implement amendments to existing licences and maintain/develop the associated system of record.

The NSTA’s licensing system covers oil and gas exploration and production; carbon capture and storage; and gas storage within Great Britain, its territorial sea and on the UK Continental Shelf.  The associated licences are the key instruments which give companies exclusive rights to specified areas and set out associated timeframes, commitments and obligations. 

Brief overview of role

The Licensing Team Lead reports to the Head of Licensing and Consents and has two direct reports.  The successful candidate will possess a strategic commercial mindset together with a breadth of experiences that affords an ability to understand and distil a plethora of information into the key issues and act accordingly. 

The work is a combination of setting team direction, individual contribution and delivering through informal teams – project management and an ability to persuade and hold others to account is essential.  A working understanding of mergers and acquisitions in terms of the mechanics, drivers and risks together with real knowledge of oil and gas commercial agreements and structures will instil confidence in colleagues and counterparties.

The Licensing Team plays a key role at the heart of the NSTA and is responsible for:

• Advising on, and taking, decisions on all non-operational aspects of the petroleum licensing regime (i.e. operator appointments, royalty arrangements, financial security for exploration wells, assignment/M&A approvals etc)
• Drafting and issuing new licences;
• implementing amendments to existing licences; and
• Maintaining/developing the associated systems of record.

The Licensing Team Lead is the NSTA focal point when assessing whether to grant certain approvals under the licences.  This involves interacting with the CEO/MD/CFO of licensees to ensure necessary commercially sensitive information is provided in sufficient detail and in a timely fashion.

This role may suit someone with industry M&A/commercial experience or knowledge, or someone with established oil and gas regulatory experience at a leadership level, who wishes to augment their experience with exposure to M&A and detailed knowledge of the licensing system.

Detailed job description and key responsibilities

The NSTA is looking for a multi-skilled candidate, able to lead, empower and develop a small team, yet, take ownership to understand and have an awareness of commercial legal matters whilst simultaneously finding ways of continually improving the system.

The successful candidate’s duties will include:

• Line management of two direct reports with responsibility for five indirect staff;
• Mentoring and supporting team members to assist in their development;
• Integrate, manage and oversee the Licensing Team setting medium term goals and ensuring short term requirements are delivered;
• Overseeing and delivering a first-rate and timely service to industry in relation to requests for approval for corporate mergers and acquisitions; asset-based transactions; royalty agreements; and operator appointments; 
• Developing and improving the wider team capability and expertise in terms of upstream oil and gas M&A /Commercial knowledge and skills such that there is not an over-reliance on single individuals;
• Lead engagement with other NSTA teams to further their understanding of the licensing function and develop mutually supportive relations;
• Focal point for the triage of industry requests managed by the Licensing Team to identify the key regulatory risks within the associated consents and approvals being sought;
• Take ownership of the NSTA review of complex M&A Transactions (change in control or asset deals), ad-hoc licence events/applications (royalty approvals), difficult and/or contentious licence issues;
• Instil a culture of consistent and effective project management to ensure all decisions are reasoned and consistent, made in a legally robust manner with appropriate, and meaningful, contributions from consultees under a suitable assurance regime;
• Set, communicate and drive appropriate standards/expectations for consultee contributions;
• Create an environment whereby the Licensing Team’s contribution to the IT Project to create a new licence management system meets functional requirements and embeds historic good practice and insights;
• Developing and maintaining a deep understanding of relevant legislation, licence terms and model clauses, ensuring the team remains the NSTA’s ‘go to’ resource;
• Maintaining effective relationships and networks with oil and gas stakeholders;
• Advising on changes required to the NSTA’s onshore and offshore regulatory frameworks.

Career Support and Learning and Development are key elements of the NSTA’s Great Place to Work Model which underpins staff engagement.  Training, coaching will be provided to support successful delivery in the role. 

Person specification

Competence 1:              Decision Making and Judgement

Effective decision making and judgement is critical to the success of the NSTA.  The candidate must demonstrate a commitment to being objective; using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice. This involves creating evidence-based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks and solutions, and considering how to achieve organisational objectives while minimising risk and balancing, financial, economic and environmental considerations to provide sustainable outcomes.                     

Competence 2:              Leading and Communicating

Have the ability to communicate with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. Establishing a strong direction and a persuasive future vision; managing and engaging with people with honesty and integrity and upholding the reputation of the NSTA. Meets challenges with resourcefulness, generates suggestions for improving work and develops innovative approaches and ideas; Strong team player with a collaborative and proactive approach.

Competence 3:              Collaborating, Influencing & Including

Creating and maintaining positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of stakeholder both internally and externally to the NSTA requires collaborative working, sharing information and building supportive, responsive and respectful relationships, whilst ensuring assumptions are challenged in order to influence outcomes to meet the NSTA’s goals and objectives.

Competence 4:              Delivery

Work to agreed goals and activities, dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way, working with your team to deliver success. Delivery at the NSTA involves the efficient, effective and economic use of taxpayers’ money in the delivery of our services. You will provide the focus, energy and agility to drive activities forward, often through appropriate delegation, and encouraging staff to perform effectively in a challenging and changing environment.

Delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes..

 Specialist Skills, Qualifications, Experience, Licenses, Memberships or Language

Essential:         

• Proven ability to lead and develop a small team, of direct and indirect reports, within an environment where all members develop and flourish.
• Experience of project management, including a demonstrable ability to lead informal multi-disciplinary teams.
• Commercial or business experience that can be applied relevantly to the role. 
• Degree, or equivalent experience, in a relevant subject or role.
• An understanding of M&A (drivers and mechanics), corporate finance/capital allocation, joint venture arrangements ideally obtained as a practitioner
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, particularly the communication of complex or detailed issues to senior management. 
• Proven ability to work and promote a positive team environment.

Desirable:        

• Relevant experience working in a business or commercial role within the oil and gas industry the oil and gas sector or in another sector for an economic regulator.
• An understanding of oil and gas industry commercial, financial and economic principles and M&A processes.
• Knowledge of the licence model clauses, underlying legislation, working practices and NSTA goals/objectives.