Career Center

Reporting to the bp plc Company Secretary, this role will be responsible for managing a team in the delivery of our dynamic corporate governance vision; supporting our board of directors and meeting requirements to keep entities in good legal standing for bp’s  ~400 wholly owned US subsidiaries and Canadian subsidiaries and US entities operating overseas (including Latin America, Trinidad, Indonesia and Egypt). This role is also accountable for providing entity management and external facing support to certain key US joint ventures.

As a member of the Company Secretary’s leadership team, the Head of US Corporate Secretariat and Special Counsel will have a transformational impact both in helping to shape the future of the global Company Secretary Organisation (CSO)  and also in the delivery of the subsidiary global governance framework.

Key Accountabilities:

• Builds enduring capability through the leadership and development of 6 direct reports, including planning and prioritization of the team’s annual plan
• Working closely in collaboration with CSO’s Head of Subsidiary Governance, accountable for compliance of bp’s subsidiary governance and best practices throughout the Group
• Leads the overall strategic vision for US corporate governance, including advising senior US executives on strategy for alignment of governance with business, e.g., provide strategic guidance on the overall US legal entity structure and the alignment and integration of newly acquired entities within the structure
• Provides corporate governance legal advice to the Chairman and President of BP America Inc. in connection with such roles and works closely with the Chair’s of the key US operating companies to plan and execute all board meetings, governance actions, and related activities
• Acts as the primary internal/external contact on US governance and corporate legal developments for BP, including keeping abreast of US listed governance requirements and changes in regulatory obligations
• Serves as corporate secretary and/or supervises the corporate secretaries for BP America Inc., parent of all of bp's US subsidiaries, as well as all other US major subsidiaries, including registered swap dealer.

Law degree, qualified to practice in a US State jurisdiction

Certification from Society for Corporate Governance

Essential Experience and Job Requirements:

• A minimum of [10] years of experience working on an in-house corporate governance team, with [8] years serving as a corporate secretary to one or more active boards of directors
• Demonstrative track record of in-house experience with a primary focus on subsidiary corporate governance
• Expert on US governance and has a sophisticated understanding of UK governance as well as familiarity with the key legal regimes in which bp has subsidiaries
• In this role a substantial number of tasks constitute the practice of law in the United States. Accordingly, the holder of this position is a lawyer, properly licensed in the appropriate jurisdictions in the United States
• Experience leading and motivating a team
• Energy industry and large corporation experience preferred
• Ability to build positive relationships with key senior partners, acting with tact and discretion at all times
• Effective communicator; ability to influence and collaborate with internal and external partners across multiple subject areas, cultures, geographies and levels
• Outstanding analytical skills with high attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work within ambiguity, shows appetite to change
• Active and empathic listener who seeks team and customer feedback; reconciles differences when needed
• Ability to balance near term operational delivery with enduring business solutions
• Motivated; curious and able to try new ways of working; has a growth mentality
• Uses technology as an enabler to unlock value and provide agile support to the business