NSTA 461 - Principal Licensing Manager

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 Principal Licensing Manager reports to the Licensing Team Lead and has up to three direct reports.  The successful candidate will possess a keen commercial mind with a breadth of experience which together afford the ability to understand and distil competing factors, often complex and potentially drawn from a variety of legislative sources, into the key issues and act accordingly. 

The work is a blend of line management, individual contribution and delivery through collaboration and participation in a team environment. Project management, stakeholder management and an ability to both influence and hold others to account is essential. 

It is expected that the successful candidate will have skills that are transferrable to the commercial and contractual arrangements governing joint ventures and be familiar with the mechanics, drivers and risks involved in mergers and acquisitions. 

The Principal Licensing Manager is a key focal point between the NSTA and industry when assessing whether to grant certain approvals under the licences.  This can involve 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 a relevant commercial or policy background who wants to broaden their experience within a regulatory environment.

Detailed job description and key responsibilities

The NSTA is looking for a multi-skilled candidate, able to oversee others whilst contributing to the delivery around commercial legal matters and supporting the Licensing Team Lead in the development of both the systems of record and the capabilities of the licensing team. 

The successful candidate’s duties will include:

• Manage and oversee a group of up to three direct reports ensuring the delivery of a first-rate and timely service to industry in relation to requests for approval for share based M&A; asset-based transactions; surrender of licensed acreage; and operator appointments; 
• Review industry requests identifying potentially complex and challenging cases such that appropriate resources are deployed at the outset;
• Providing insight to the NSTA’s most important licensing and consenting decisions by advising senior leaders on the application of the NSTA’s licence and statutory powers in complex and novel circumstances whilst taking into account relevant opinions within the NSTA and other areas of HM Government;
• Oversee/support and ability to both review and undertake the actions to legally implement ‘operational licence decisions’ (e.g. work programme amendments, term/phase durations) in a time bound environment; 
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of relevant legislation, licence terms and model clauses, enhancing the reputation of the Licensing Team as the source of knowledge on licensing matters; 
• Peer review and provide input on the drafting of documentation to implement decisions and amend the discretionary provisions within existing licences;
• Oversee the associated systems of record; having sufficient knowledge to be credible within the wider Licensing Team and able to advise internal and external parties on the functionality and logic therein;
• Maintaining effective relationships and networks with energy sector stakeholders;
• Supporting the Licensing Team by sharing knowledge and insights to facilitate consistency and continuous improvement across the team;
• Lead on more complex licensing matters ensuring all options are considered, contributing to implementation documentation and ensuring there is an appropriate assurance process;
• Advising on changes required to the NSTA’s onshore and offshore regulatory frameworks within their subject matter expertise through a licensing lens;
• 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. 

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 energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.

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

Essential:        

• Experience of line management within an environment where the staff develop and flourish.
• Experience of managing projects, including a demonstrable ability to lead within informal multi-disciplinary teams.
• Commercial or business experience that can be applied relevantly to the role. 
• Solid understanding of M&A mechanics and how these interact with the regulatory framework.
• Ability to quickly develop an appreciation of the E&P commercial agreements, joint venture arrangements.
• Degree, or equivalent experience in a relevant subject or role.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, particularly the communication of complex or detailed issues. 
• Credibility, and an ability to form internal and externals relationships including with senior staff in industry.
• An ability to learn and become an expert in working with regulatory frameworks and primary legislation.
• Proven ability to work and promote a positive team environment.
• Attention to detail with focus on deadlines and delivery.
• Positive and supportive attitude; in particular an ability to embrace, and effectively implement, continuous improvement and the associated changes.
• Aptitude for data analysis and ability to translate into insights and knowledge.

Desirable:       

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