Senior Counsel, Import and Trade Compliance

ConocoPhillips • Houston, TX

3d

About The Position

The Senior Counsel, Import and Trade Compliance, serves as the Company's senior legal advisor on import compliance and leads integration of global trade compliance matters. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously enhancing the Company's import compliance program while coordinating appropriate integration with the Company's established export compliance program.

Reporting to the Managing Counsel, Global Compliance, the Senior Counsel, Import and Trade Compliance will lead a small team of trade compliance professionals and provide strategic legal advice and practical business guidance regarding customs, supply chain, and international trade compliance.

The Senior Counsel, Import and Trade Compliance will lead import program governance, regulatory engagement, risk assessments, audits, disclosures, compliance investigations, technology modernization initiatives, and integration across the Company's import and export compliance activities.

Working collaboratively across Legal, Supply Chain, Commercial, Tax, Security, Finance, and Business Unit leadership, this role will be responsible for maintaining a comprehensive trade compliance framework that enables business objectives, mitigates regulatory risk, and promotes a strong culture of compliance.

Requirements

• Legally authorized to work in the United States
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 7 or more years of experience in import compliance, international trade, customs, export compliance, or related regulatory matters.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and enhancing compliance programs in a complex corporate environment.
• Expert level of knowledge of: U.S. customs laws and regulations, Customs valuation and tariff classification, CBP enforcement processes, Import recordkeeping requirements, Trade compliance risk management
• Experience interacting directly with government agencies and external counsel.
• Strong leadership, project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to effectively balance legal risk management with business objectives.

Nice To Haves

• Licensed Customs Broker, Certified Customs Specialist, Certified Export Specialist, or similar trade compliance designation.
• Knowledge of CTPAT requirements, customs audits, and government trade enforcement programs.
• Working knowledge of export control and sanctions regulations.
• Experience leading global trade compliance programs encompassing both import and export compliance.
• Experience managing and developing compliance professionals.
• Experience supporting multinational organizations with complex supply chain and global operations.
• Experience with ERP systems, customs automation platforms, and trade compliance technologies.
• Experience managing customs brokers, freight forwarders, and other third-party trade service providers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the legal and functional owner of the Company’s import compliance program.
• Maintain and enhance enterprise-wide import compliance policies, procedures, standards, and governance frameworks.
• Lead a network of Import Compliance Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) across Supply Chain, Commercial, and other business functions.
• Oversee record retention requirements and documentation management processes for import transactions.
• Advise business stakeholders regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements, customs valuation, tariff classification, country-of-origin requirements, recordkeeping obligations, and related customs matters.
• Manage CTPAT Trade Compliance program and interactions with CBP and other governmental authorities.
• Coordinate and oversee responses to inquiries, audits, and other requests from governmental authorities.
• Lead investigations and remediation efforts arising from customs compliance issues.
• Provide legal and strategic guidance to Supply Chain and Commercial organizations regarding planned imports and cross-border transactions.
• Develop and implement import compliance contract clauses.
• Advise stakeholders on customs risks associated with sourcing, procurement, transportation, and commercial operations.
• Serve as the Company’s subject matter expert for special duty and tariff programs.
• Evaluate the impact of regulatory developments and advise leadership regarding potential business implications.
• Oversee and maintain the Company’s export compliance program, including policies, procedures, governance structures, and controls.
• Ensure consistent governance and alignment between import and export compliance programs.
• Maintain customs broker and freight forwarder governance and oversight procedures.
• Identify and lead enhancements of technology solutions related to import and export compliance activities.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, mental health support, and wellness programs.
• Competitive base pay, annual performance bonuses, and retirement savings plans.
• Paid time off, paid parental leave, and family support resources.
• Access to training, mentoring, and internal career mobility tools.
• Peer-nominated awards, inclusive culture, and employee resource groups.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior