Corporate Counsel - Trading & Shipping

At Ampol, we believe in the Power of Us - the extraordinary power of people to connect, act, and make a difference.  

As a leading energy company operating across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and from the United States, our work spans fuel supply, energy solutions, convenience retail, infrastructure, trading and shipping. Every role at Ampol plays a part in something bigger - powering progress for our customers, communities, and people.  

Your career here is yours to shape. We back our people with real opportunities, the tools to grow, and a culture that rewards ownership and initiative. Whether you’re deepening your expertise or taking on something new, we’ll support you to power a career that works for you.  

We’re building a workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued - because when people are free to be themselves, powerful things happen.

About Ampol Trading & Shipping

Our purpose at Ampol is to power better journeys today and tomorrow. Our Trading and Shipping team is key to achieving this, not only supplying our customer’s needs today, but evolving as the energy transition takes place to supply our customers well into the future.

We take pride in our people and value innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. If you’re a professional committed to excellence, Ampol is looking for you.

About the role

Providing legal advice to the Ampol group of companies (Ampol) in order to assist Ampol meet its commercial objectives (including in the context of the broader Ampol Limited group of companies (Ampol Group) of which Ampol forms part), and effectively manage legal risks associated with Ampol’s business activities.  To lead and manage the Contract Management Team in order to support effective delivery of Ampol’s business objectives. Managing all associated contract paperwork and ensuring compliance. Assisting General Counsel - Trading & Shipping in managing risk by continually reviewing Ampol systems, processes and procedures and implementing agreed changes.  Providing coaching and mentoring support to other team members and independently influencing best practice ways of working with the business with the primary focus on the Contract Management function.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide legal advice which is underpinned by a detailed understanding of the law and excellent analytical and conceptual skills
• Deal with complex problems and identify creative and commercial solutions
• Prepare, review and negotiate, within agreed parameters, contract documentation for the sale and purchase of crude and petroleum products (including LPG) including supplementary documents
• Identify, manage and/or escalate any  operational and/or contractual issues to  appropriate internal subject matter experts and coordinate an appropriate resolution, including in relation to fraud, bribery and corruption, counterparty due diligence and compliance with delegation of authority, dispute management and document retention
• Continually review and improve Ampol processes and procedures in relation to establishing contracting positions and capture and manage agreed contracting positions in Ampol database
• Develop a relationship with the trading team by making a positive connection, understanding the commercial drivers, understanding the commercial and legal risks, and understanding when escalation is required and when a view can be taken
• Independently influence best practice ways of working, including value-add tools, resources and processes both within the Contracts Team and with business stakeholders
• Provide coaching and mentoring to other Contract Team members to support development and growth as well as supporting quality assurance
• Play a leading role when working with the Ampol Trading and Legal teams to identify, implement and monitor continuous improvement opportunities within Ampol Trading and Shipping  and the Contracts Team
• Identify and escalate any legal and commercial contractual issues and opportunities to minimise Ampol legal and commercial risk.  Provide support on reports, checks and reviews relating to Ampol trading operations, communicate issues and coordinate an appropriate resolution
• Participating as a member of the Singapore trading and legal teams through sharing information and learnings, sharing workload as required by the General Counsel, Trading & Shipping and active participation in team meetings
• Deal with competing issues and priorities and advise in situations of limited information and/or ambiguity
• Such other duties as may be reasonably required by the company from time to time

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Tertiary qualification in law
• Current legal practising certificate in England, Australia or Singapore.
• Experience in practice, or as an in-house lawyer for a medium-sized or large business;
• Proven team and people management experience;
• Demonstrated experience of legal practice in a shipping, petroleum product or commodity trading environment or similar relevant experience; and
• Ideally to have strong and detailed contracts knowledge including negotiation and management.
• Desirable: Experience working in an unstructured and fast-moving environment
• Essential:  Strong understanding of contractual terms and conditions; High competency in contract analysis, negotiation skills and computer skills; Excellent knowledge of industry General Terms and Conditions;  Excellent knowledge of operations of petroleum trading and shipping.
• Desirable: Understanding of Singapore corporate law and requirements is preferable.

At Ampol, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms, recognizing that it makes our organization stronger. We encourage applications from people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We invite you to bring your whole self to Ampol.

Want to take your career to the next level? Apply today.