Senior Counsel

Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd•Houston, TX

About The Position

Hanwha Ocean is undergoing a transformative journey, evolving from a traditional shipbuilder into a comprehensive Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Operation (EPCI(O)) solutions provider, offering products such as FPSO, FLNG, Offshore Renewables and other Floating Production Units. The Offshore Business Division is proud to announce the establishment of new Global Business Centers marking a significant milestone in our journey toward becoming a project-centric and client-driven organization. This strategic expansion enhances our ability to deliver exceptional project execution and knowledge-driven operational models by seamlessly integrating the upstream cultures of Asia, Europe, and America. Explore opportunities to be part of our dynamic team and contribute to groundbreaking projects that redefine the offshore industry. Position Overview: The Senior Counsel provides strategic legal support across corporate and operational functions, including governance, compliance, data protection, entity management, corporate policy, commercial agreements, and risk mitigation. This role serves as a trusted advisor to senior management and corporate teams, ensuring company operations comply with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. The position reports to the Head of Legal.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited US law school.
Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and eligibility to register as in-house counsel in Texas.
6+ years of legal experience, including in-house or law firm experience focused on corporate law, governance, compliance, and commercial agreements.
Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
Proven ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in energy, oil & gas, shipbuilding and/or EPC companies is highly preferred
Experience managing or coordinating external counsel and internal stakeholders on complex corporate matters.

Responsibilities

Act as a day-to-day legal advisor to corporate functions, including HR, procurement, IT, finance, real estate, and operations.
Support employment-related matters in coordination with HR, including policies, employee agreements, investigations, and terminations.
Provide legal guidance on insurance, claims coordination, and dispute avoidance, working with internal teams and outside counsel when necessary.
Manage and coordinate outside counsel, including scope, budget, and performance.
Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure legal advice aligns with business objectives and operational realities.
Advise on corporate governance matters, including entity structure, registration, and compliance with applicable laws.
Maintain corporate records, including charters, bylaws, and regulatory filings.
Support corporate reorganizations, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures from a governance perspective.
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial and operational agreements, including NDAs, service agreements, consulting agreements, vendor contracts, and intercompany agreements.
Advise on and support ethics, compliance, and regulatory matters, including the development and implementation of internal policies and procedures.
Partner with compliance, HR, finance, and risk teams on issues related to anti-corruption, trade compliance, data privacy, and corporate governance.
Identify legal risks and provide practical, business-oriented mitigation strategies.