Sr. Contracts Specialist

The Senior Contracts Specialist serves as both a business partner and a subject matter expert on contracts with clients and with suppliers, with responsibility for ensuring timely, accurate and risk-weighted advice and service. A member of a highly effective Legal Department, the Senior Contracts Specialist works in close collaboration with other Oceaneering employees across business segments and functional departments to enable business and maximize profit in furtherance of the Company’s strategic objectives and within its Mission, Vision, and Values and is responsible for taking support and lead roles in drafting, negotiating and concluding negotiations with Oceaneering’s clients and vendors.  

ESSENTIAL 

• Provide contract advice, drafting and services in connection with complex business transactions, including playing a key role in negotiating the terms and advising management and the Contracts Manager regarding the risks and deviations from standards of such transactions

• Lead contract risk assessments for high‑value, high‑risk or non‑standard transactions, including identifying material risks, and escalating risks in accordance with Oceaneering approval matrices.

• Draft contract language tailored to specific needs as advised by legal, commercial and business teams.

• Advise business leaders on potential claims and other post-award support.

• Interface with regional Legal and Contracts Departments to share best practices and ensure consistency throughout the organization. 

• Interface with commercial, bids-and-proposals, sales and operations personnel.  Advise on terms and conditions and other contractual issues. 

• Liaise with Subject Matter Experts, including the Legal, Tax, Finance and Insurance Departments, on respective issues to ensure that all contracts comply with Oceaneering’s contracting guidelines or other applicable guidelines. 

• Maintain contracts files and database with respect to contracts reviewed and executed 

• Support profit center managers and commercial managers in applying contracting principles to understand and address risks associated with various scopes of work.

• Provide contract advice and services to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and Oceaneering’s Policies and Procedures 

• Conduct contracts-related training of operations and other personnel.

• Assist with the training and development of Contracts Specialists. 

• Promote an awareness of Legal Department policies and procedures in coordination with Regional Legal Counsel. 

• Perform as a team player with a strong work ethic. 

• Perform all work in accordance with Oceaneering’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other relevant policies and procedures. 

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum 7 years of working experience in commercial contracting experience in the offshore oil and gas service industry or engineered manufactured products sector, directly supporting sales and operations management’s efforts with clients and vendors.

• Minimum 7 years' experience negotiating complex indemnity structures and risk mitigation utilized in energy (including offshore oil and gas) services contracts is essential.

• Minimum 7 years’ experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contracting arrangements.

• Fluent in English

• Knowledge of MS Office.

Desired:

• Experience in US and international commercial contracts within the oil and gas industry.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to effectively communicate with internal business clients,  and  staff. 

• Fluency in other languages is a plus, particularly Spanish and Portuguese.

• Strong individual initiative, discipline and commitment to superior performance and continuous improvement.

• Energy services and/or heavy manufacturing industry experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of industry typical contracting practices.

• Ability to negotiate mutually acceptable solutions. 

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

• Critical thinking approach to problem solving.

• Ability to operate independently while exercising sound judgment in the escalation of risks.

• Brings a proactive, team-oriented approach. 

• Develops and maintains strong professional relationships with Legal colleagues, other Oceaneers, and external customers and suppliers. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and the ability to effectively navigate across a multinational company. 

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Employee benefits vary by role, however, may include Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Retirement Savings, Life and Disability, Paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program.