Senior Legal Counsel- Structured Finance

Where you fit in

Shell Trading and Supply (T&S) operates a vast, integrated global portfolio across various energy sectors, including crude oil, natural gas, LNG, and more. With hubs in major cities and operations in over 25 countries, T&S supports its counterparties through intelligence, marketing, logistics, and financial backing. This support enables T&S to access products and drive growth. The Trading Commodity Finance (TCF) offering helps counterparties unlock value from their commodities, while the Shell Energy Origination (SEO) team provides long-term gas and power supplies. T&S’s extensive experience and strong banking relationships allow it to offer competitive funding solutions worldwide.

What’s the role?

T&S operates in a fast-paced environment hence the Senior Legal Counsel must be willing to learn, able to work independently and where necessary, escalate issues in a timely fashion. You must be strategic (flexible and able to prioritize) with respect to supporting a dynamic and growing business within T&S.

Responsibilities include:

• Proactively identify and prioritize legal risks and alternative strategies in a variety of fields.
• Provide legal advice and participate in commercial negotiations in relation to the structuring, internal approval process, negotiation and closing of finance transactions (structured trade finance transactions) with external counterparties and the post-closing administration and governance of such transactions.
• Represent Shell vis-à-vis third parties.
• Work as part of a team with both internal and external stakeholders with diverse cultural backgrounds in a dynamic and fast-moving commercial environment.
• Handle a range of time-sensitive client demands, mixing strategic project work and day-to-day transactions and queries, in a fast-paced and dynamic trading environment.
• Manage a specific T&S business line in a geographic region, potentially including a T&S business leadership team. Build strong relationships with T&S business leaders and Legal staff, identify workload and resourcing needs, improve legal service efficiency, and keep Legal management informed.

What we need from you

• Deep experience and knowledge of structured finance transactions or prepayment agreements, ideally in relation to those linked to product/commodity supply and off-take arrangements; English banking, finance and, preferably, regulation and distressed debt; structuring and taking security in different jurisdictions in international banking transactions and managing risk accordingly; intercreditor arrangements; sponsor-related issues; LMA documentation and broad knowledge of the syndication market.
• Experience of global project finance transactions involving LNG facilities, wind and solar projects or petrochemical plants; vendor finance transactions.
• An interest in technical areas of finance law and regulation; some knowledge of accounting and tax issues and preferably some exposure to Trade Controls and distressed debt.
• Experience working in an environment which demands a quick and thoughtful legal touch across several legal disciplines.
• The ability to work in a less well-defined legal environment with clients who need and demand pragmatic legal advice.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Creative thinking and structuring diverse opportunities.
• Handling complex government and partner relations.
• Building and sustaining client relationships at all levels.
• Broad legal knowledge and ability to identify critical risks.
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, able to prioritize, and work independently or as part of a team.

Company Description

Shell started operations in the United Kingdom more than 110 years ago. Since then, we have grown into a leading innovative Oil & Energy company that rewards its employees by investing heavily in their careers and learning. Our people are our greatest asset, and our commitment to your career will see you thrive in a work environment that offers an industry-leading development programme. When your ideas travel, Shell will benefit, and innovation will thrive. Shell has a key role to play in helping meet the UK’s growing energy demand, whilst using innovative technologies to develop cleaner energy.

An innovative place to work

There’s never been a more exciting time to work at Shell. Join us and you’ll be adding your talent and imagination to a business with the ambition to shape the future – whether by investing in oil, gas and renewable energy to meet demand, exploring new ways to store energy, or developing technology that helps the world to use energy more efficiently, everyone at Shell does their part.

An inclusive place to work

To power progress, we need to attract and develop the brightest minds and make sure every voice is heard. Here are just some of the ways we are nurturing an inclusive environment – one where you can express your ideas, extend your skills, and reach your potential.

• We’re creating a space where people with disabilities can excel through transparent recruitment process, workplace adjustments and ongoing support in their roles.
• We’re closing the gap – whether that’s through action on equal pay or by enabling more women to reach senior roles in engineering and technology.
• We’re striving to be a pioneer of an inclusive and diverse workplace, promoting equality for employees.
• We consider ourselves a flexible employer and want to support you finding the right balance.

A rewarding place to work

Combine our creative, collaborative environment and global operations with an impressive range of benefits and joining Shell becomes an inspired career choice. We’re huge advocates for career development. We’ll encourage you to try new roles and experience new settings.