SVP, External Affairs

Kosmos Energy Ltd.•Dallas, TX

72d

About The Position

This position is a critical member of the Dallas leadership team and has primary responsibility for ensuring that Kosmos political and reputational risks are understood and managed. The position will build and maintain an external affairs capability/function in Kosmos, to support its highly successful technical and operational groups.

Requirements

Minimum 15 years' experience in the international upstream petroleum or other extractive industry in similar or related function.
Bachelor's Degree in related area
Master's Degree in related area
In-depth knowledge of U.S. and West African structures and dynamics
Extensive contacts in U.S. and West African governments, the European Union, and leading international organizations
Demonstrated skills in establishing and maintaining relations with high-level government officials and other stakeholders with differing cultural, governmental and societal backgrounds
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with prior experience in interacting directly with senior management and board of directors.
Experience in managing small teams in a matrix organization required
Original, creative thinker with the ability to formulate and express a contrarian viewpoint
Able to work in a fast-paced environment
Someone who readily generates ideas; shows creativity and ingenuity and provides solutions to solve problems.
Proven ability to develop realistic, yet ambitious strategic plan to ensure Company will achieve its objectives
Must have a strong work ethic, and a reputation for the highest degree of integrity and mature business judgment.
Proven results-based team player able to engage other division leaders
Proven track record in the upstream oil and gas business to lead highly effective teams
Comfortable in presenting recommendations to senior management and the board in line with corporate strategic objectives.
A very confident professional who constantly raises the bar and presses the organization toward a higher level of achievement.

Nice To Haves

Prior expatriate experience desired, but not required
Fluency in French and/or Arabic would be desirable but not essential

Responsibilities

Lead development and implementation of Kosmos corporate strategies, policies and practices in areas including corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainable development, transparency, human rights and other related areas.
Develop and implement corporate process for in-depth assessment and management of political, reputational and other "above-ground risks" in our current countries of operation.
Develop and implement corporate process for rapid, "fit for purpose" assessment of political, reputational and other above-ground risks for entry into new countries in association with New Ventures efforts.
Provide senior management with guidance on strategic and tactical actions relating to political, reputational and other above-ground risks.
Establish and maintain relations with high-level government officials and other stakeholders in our countries of operation.
Establish and maintain relations with other government officials and stakeholders outside of our countries of operation who can impact Kosmos and its corporate as well as operational activities. A specific area of focus is U.S. government and associated organizations.
Establish and maintain relations with relevant senior officials in major international institutions (e.g. UN, UNDP, OECD, EU, World Bank, Arab League, African Union, EITI) and with relevant leading international NGOs.
Manage key public policy issues (e.g. human rights; climate change; transparency)
Lead the external affairs function, providing guidance and direction to the Sustainability, Security, Social Investment, communications and political risk team.
Maintain overall responsibility for the security of Kosmos employees, operations and staff
Lead the internal and external communications strategy of Kosmos in partnership with the VP CommunicationsLead, support, and mentor Country Managers, strengthening cohesion across markets and ensuring their activities, stakeholder relationships, and priorities are aligned with the company's global strategy
In liaison with VP Comms act as the main company spokesperson in interactions with international media, other major communications outlets and external forums.
Handle other projects, duties and responsibilities as assigned.