Senior Legal Counsel - International Operations

Woodside Energy Ltd • Houston, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Legal Counsel – International Operations will join the Houston-based legal team to provide strategic legal and commercial advice to Woodside’s international operations and major project activities.

The role will act as the primary legal advisor and focal point for the Beaumont New Ammonia Project (BNA), supporting the project through development, contracting, construction, and operations. The position will partner closely with business unit leadership, commercial, contracting, finance, and operations teams to manage legal risk and support the successful delivery of a large-scale energy transition project and the introduction of a new commodity into the Woodside International Business portfolio.

This position reports to the Managing Counsel, Legal.

This role is based in Houston, Texas and may require occasional domestic travel.

Requirements

• Practicing law with minimum 8 years of experience, ideally combining major law firm and/or in-house legal experience within the energy, infrastructure, chemicals, or industrial sectors.
• Strong experience supporting major capital projects, including development and construction of large-scale infrastructure or energy projects.
• Deep transactional legal experience, with strong commercial acumen and legal judgment.
• Experience negotiating, drafting and managing contracts.
• Excellent oral and written communication; ability to provide concise, practical advice.
• Responsibility for budget/cost center management.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills, a team player who works effectively with others at all levels and in all disciplines in a team environment who is also capable of working autonomously and managing their own workflow effectively.
• Licensed to practice law in the United States (Texas preferred but not essential).
• Residence in Houston with right to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead legal focal point for BNA, providing strategic legal advice to business unit leadership across project governance activities, development and operations, including design and construction arrangements, long-term supply and offtake agreements, feedstock agreements for ammonia production, utilities agreements, infrastructure and services agreements and other commercial arrangements supporting BNA.
• Negotiate and draft agreements in support of the above, leading transactions for legal and working closely with commercial and procurement teams to ensure appropriate allocation of legal and commercial risk.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across business unit, commercial, finance, and operational teams, acting as a trusted advisor and key point of contact for legal matters relating to BNA.
• Engage with business unit leadership to identify and stay ahead of emerging business and legal risks and proactively identify pragmatic solutions.
• Support project structuring, commercial arrangements and negotiations with suppliers, contractors, and strategic partners.
• Ensure all agreements are negotiated and executed in accordance with Woodside governance processes, delegations of authority, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Management of external counsel to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of legal services.

Benefits

• Commitment to your ongoing development, including on-the-job opportunities, formal programs and coaching
• Industry-leading 18 weeks paid parental leave for primary carer, and maintenance of superannuation or retirement benefits at the current rate during any period of unpaid parental leave for up to 24 months (plus secondary carer leave entitlements)
• Values led culture with a focus on creating a psychologically and physically safe work environment
• Active employee-led working groups driving initiatives to build an inclusive culture
• Community volunteering opportunities
• Relocation assistance (if required)
• A competitive remuneration package featuring performance-based incentives

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed