NSTA 460 - Consents Team Lead

About the team

The Consents Team Lead reports to the Head of Licensing and Consents; the team comprise nine staff located in Aberdeen with the role having two direct reports. Central to the NSTA’s role in implementing the Strategy is the oversight and control of the necessary licences, consents and authorisations that both allow industry to undertake, and set appropriate limitations, on the activity from initial exploration through development and exploitation to final decommissioning. 

The team ensures that consents and authorisations are compliant with the appropriate legislation and regulations, engaging throughout with colleagues in other directorates within the NSTA, industry and other key regulatory stakeholders, such as the relevant teams within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and HSE. The associated consents are at the key instruments which give the legal authorisations to conduct specific operations

Brief overview of role

The successful candidate will possess proven experience or the ability to understand or distil legislation and documentation along with an attention to detail. 

An ability to see the bigger picture, build and influence internal and external relationships up to senior management level with the ability to challenge widely.

The work is a combination of setting team direction, individual contributor and delivering through the direct reports and wider team; project management, an ability to instil confidence in colleagues and counterparties and persuade and hold others to account is essential.  Whilst applying a general appreciation of industry and production architecture to allow the sign off of consents in line with legislation, regulation, licence terms and model clauses.

This role would suit someone who has industry experience of NSTA or other regulatory consents or has a regulatory background where the underlying principles are transferable into petroleum or carbon capture operations.   The subject matter is very niche, so the successful candidate must be willing to invest time to develop credible knowledge of the subject. 

Detailed job description and key responsibilities

The NSTA is looking for a multi-skilled candidate, able to lead, empower and develop a small team of case officers and case managers to receive, process and issue the essential consents and authorisations required by industry to commence and maintain and sustain production both offshore and onshore.

The successful candidate’s duties will include:

• Developing and maintaining a thorough understanding of relevant legislation and regulation, licence terms and model clauses, to ensure the Consents and Authorisation team is the ‘go to’ resource for matters related to consents and authorisations;
• Oversight of the systems and processes for receiving, processing and issuing field consents (Development and Production, Flare and Vent consents) and Pipeline Works Authorisations (New PWA’s, Category 1 and Category 2 PWA Variations, Deposit Consents and updates to records of Holders, Users, Operators and Owners of pipelines);
• Strong and visible leadership of the Consents and Authorisations team whilst driving the team profile across the wider NSTA
• Timely sign off and issuing of consents and authorisations prepared by the Consents and Authorisation Team;
• Day to day management of two direct and seven indirect reports;
• Mentoring and supporting team members to assist their development;
• Developing and maintaining a network within the NSTA to facilitate timely processing of consents and authorisations; 
• Developing and maintaining a constructive interface with industry to maximise compliance with consents and authorisations and with other relevant regulators.

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

The successful candidate must demonstrate a commitment to being objective; using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice. Demonstrable ability to create evidence-based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks and solutions. Experience in exercising judgments where situations are novel and outcomes contain high levels of ambiguity.

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

Working collaboratively, sharing information appropriately and building supportive, trusting and professional relationships with NSTA colleagues, oil and gas operators and large contractors. Have the ability to work with large groups of stakeholders, who hold different views or positions, and integrate them to achieve a common goal. Delivering business objectives through creating an inclusive and supportive environment.

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 positive energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.

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

Essential: 

• An 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;
• Industry or business experience that can be applied relevantly to the role; 
• Degree, or equivalent experience, in a relevant subject or role;
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, particularly the communication of complex or detailed issues;
• Representing the NSTA externally.  This will include participation in the Pipeline User Group and potentially presenting at events;
• Credibility, and an ability to form internal and external relationships with proven experience in influencing industry at all levels; 
• An ability to learn and become an expert in regulatory framework or primary legislation;
• Proven ability to work and promote a positive team environment within the wider NSTA, including visible leadership and extended leadership participation.

Desirable:

• Relevant experience working in a business or commercial role within the oil and gas industry, or in another sector for an economic regulator;
• Aptitude for data analysis and ability to translate into insights and knowledge;
• An understanding of the oil and gas industry.