Deputy General Counsel, Americas and Global Risk Management

Job Description:

The Deputy General Counsel, Americas and Global Risk Management role will work closely with the Americas Leadership (SVP COO, Area Director US, Area Manager Trinidad, Area Manager Brazil, other Area Managers for Americas regions), Commercial Managers/Business Development (for Americas regions) to support strategy development and execution of Americas commercial opportunities, to manage litigation and employment issues in conjunction with Human Resources (HR) leads in the Americas regions, and to provide general legal support to the regions.  Partner with the CLO and CFO to develop and deliver on Global risk and insurance strategies. This role will ensure that Bristow’s operations comply with all its legal, contractual and company regulatory requirements, in particular playing a vital, proactive role in the negotiation and agreement of Bristow’s contracts with potential or existing oil and gas and new markets customers, and assist in key compliance matters.  Certain work may be required to be performed as part of the operations of the wider Bristow group.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Customer Contracts:

• Review of Client Tender Contract terms and conditions (T&Cs) and production of Clarification Tables/mark-ups relating to such T&Cs
• Negotiation and finalization of those T&Cs
• Building and maintaining key relationships with Business Development team members, and continually ensuring that legal output matches their requirements and does as much as possible to help tender responses succeed

Risk Management:

• Developing global strategics to ensure adequate coverage for transfer of risk to our insurance program
• Day to day claims management
• Developing relationships with underwriters and our lead broker

Labor and Employment issues and disputes:

• Advising HR team on handling and resolution of employee-related issues
• Liaising between HR team and external legal advisers on employment/labor proceedings

General Commercial Disputes:

• Advising directors and their immediate reports on any and all issues and disputes that may arise in respect of the Americas locations

Compliance/Regulatory:

• Continually checking and ensuring that Bristow Group Code of Business Integrity is followed and practiced in all areas
• Training colleagues on Bristow Group Code of Business Integrity

Liaison with external legal advisers:

• Liaising with external legal advisers, when necessary, while keeping external legal spend under tight control by enforcing billing guidelines and closely managing their work
• Establishing local country-specific requirements and influences as quickly and cost-effectively as possible

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree
• Admission to a state bar in good standing

Experience:

• 10+ years’ legal experience practicing either as in house or outside counsel
• Prior insurance experience preferred
• Previous work as legal counsel for reputable US law firm, advising on the Oil & Gas liability regime for offshore services
• Commercial contracts expertise essential
• Experience of both aviation and oil and gas law will be ideal but experience of at least one is essential
• Additional employment/real property experience preferred

Skills:

• Must have the confidence and ability to work independently in a fast-moving environment
• Must be responsive and complete work in a timely manner, while managing a heavy workload
• Must be able to demonstrate first class commercial awareness
• Proven ability to lead a legal team, manage multiple projects, and make strategic decisions
• Must have the awareness to know when to lead and when to be a team player
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to render persuasive, diplomatic, practical, creative and always legally compliant advice in a timely fashion
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, to effectively interact with senior executives, stakeholders, external parties
• Must have strong ethics and integrity with a commitment to honesty and high moral standards in all professional interactions
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret complex legal issues and provide sound advice
• Must work well with customers and internal clients
• Must work well with outside counsel, insurance brokers, insurers and other external stakeholders and partners
• Must be able to identify risks and mitigate them as well as demonstrate first class commercial awareness
• Must be comfortable working with the Board of Directors, preparing Board materials, and conducting Board and other presentations
• Must work in a collaborative way to generate win-win situations for all stakeholders
• Strong supervisory and managerial skills
• Must possess excellent project management skills
• Must have good understanding of insurance coverage issues and law
• Must possess strong negotiation and presentation skills
• Must be willing to travel 20% globally

Bristow Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.