Tallgrass Looking for Counsel – Procurement at Houston, TX  Full Time

Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that power our nation and enable our quality of life. Tallgrass was named one of the 2023 Top Workplaces USA and highlighted in Colorado’s Top Workplaces for the past seven consecutive years.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual to fill the position of Counsel within our Legal Team based in Leawood, KS or Houston, TX. Alternate work locations may be approved at management’s discretion. This individual will provide comprehensive commercial transactional support for a diverse range of midstream assets including oil, gas, decarbonization, and other energy transition assets, as well as commodity trading businesses.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ATTORNEY:

Provide comprehensive transactional support for a diverse range of traditional midstream operations and renewable energy transition ventures with a primary focus in the areas of procurement and non-commercial contracting, construction contracting and project support, insurance and risk management, and special projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Negotiate or assist Procurement team, Project team and other Company stakeholders in the selection, preparation and negotiation of all goods, facilities and service agreements, equipment purchases and other vendor agreements.
• Assist stakeholders in the preparation of bid documents and scope of work for construction and IT contracts.
• Assist on Project Management and Operations with their projects.
• Provide legal counsel and guidance in the ordinary and special activities of the corporation to ensure maximum protection of its legal rights and to maintain its operations within the limits prescribed by law.
• Assist in the defense of the corporation against suits or claims and prepares the prosecution of the corporation’s claims against others.
• Prepare reports /presentations and brief Associate General Counsel and General Counsel as requested on all procurement matters.
• Work with other Legal Department lawyers, and work independently with other internal departments.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, other internal meetings and meetings with outside counsel and opposing parties and their counsel.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with and/or represent company in submittals and meetings with state and federal agencies.
• May be asked to manage, direct outside counsel related to vendor disputes.
• Deal with a wide variety of people with tact and professionalism.
• Speak clearly, both in person and by telephone, using a high level of verbal skills and listen carefully.
• Maintain a regular, dependable attendance and a consistently high level of performance.
• Work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Maintain a high regard for personal safety, for the safety of company assets and employees, and the public.
• Other daily, weekly, monthly or special project duties as identified and defined.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS OF COUNSEL:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited institution (top 25% of class).

EXPERIENCE/SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE:

• A minimum of five to seven years’ experience, in-house or private practice, supporting corporate and business operations.
• Significant experience in the areas of construction and procurement.
• Experience reviewing, negotiating, and drafting procurement and construction contracts.
• A working understanding of risk management and commercial insurance programs.
• Familiarity with federal and (as applicable to the Company) state laws and regulations governing the energy transportation field.
• Intermediate proficiency level in MS Office applications that may include but are not limited to Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook.
• Significant experience using on-line legal research tools, including but not limited to Practical Law, Westlaw and Lexis.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS:

• Must be licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel).

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Strong analytical skills and logical thought processes, with the ability to identify potential legal, regulatory or compliance issues.
• Ability to organize and prioritize daily work and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently as well as the ability to work well in a team environment.
• Ability to take direction from management, adhere to required work schedules, focus attention on details, and follow work rules.
• Ability to take initiative and responsibility for work product.
• Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines.
• Ability to organize and prioritize daily work.
• Ability to appreciate the effect of internal processes and company risk profile on procurement contracting.

• The ideal candidate should be nimble, resourceful, organized, and motivated to support cutting edge energy transition projects.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

All of the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting; standing; walking or moving throughout facility; driving; talking; seeing (specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus); hearing; feeling; bending or stooping; squatting or crouching; reaching; kneeling; pushing; pulling; lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Minimal safety hazards; general office working conditions.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.
• The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and a complete background check, including credit report for certain positions, after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.
• Located in the Leawood or Houston office(s).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• None

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Above the minimum requirements, not required but advantageous in this position:

• Seven (7) years’ experience supporting corporate and business operations.
• Experience with IT contracts and drafting statements of work protecting Company’s interests.
• Experience in the energy transportation field primarily liquids and bulk terminals, products pipelines, and natural gas pipelines.
• Previous experience working in-house with an interstate gas pipeline company.
• Top 25% of graduating class (class ranking must be provided).
• Five or more years litigation experience in procurement and/or construction matters.
• Previous experience working in energy, pipeline or other highly regulated business environments.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This position may perform other duties as assigned.