Senior Contract Negotiator

Optimus - People. Solutions. Delivered.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimus - People. Solutions. Delivered.

seeks a seasoned commercial contracts professional to support energy marketing and trading activities. You will negotiate and administer a wide range of agreements, partner with traders, marketers, and leadership, and maintain contract data in the ETRM system. The role emphasizes contract lifecycle management, analytical reporting, and collaboration across commercial teams in a fast-paced trading environment.

Qualifications

• Experience negotiating and administering energy commodity contracts.
• Strong knowledge of NAESB agreements and related documentation.
• Experience managing contract data in an ETRM system.
• Familiarity with force majeure processes and contractual notices.
• Knowledge of guarantees and letters of credit (KYC).

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft, administer, and maintain commercial agreements for crude oil and natural gas.
• Manage full contract lifecycle: amendments, novations, mergers, and terminations.
• Review and negotiate NDAs, Parent Guarantees, LC, and KYC docs.
• Coordinate force majeure communications and related records.
• Maintain contract records and obligations in the ETRM platform.
• Provide ad hoc contract analysis and reporting on terms and exposure.
• Collaborate with traders, marketers, accounting, legal, credit, and operations.

Skills

Energy contracts negotiation

NAESB agreements

ETRM systems

Contract lifecycle management

Credit & KYC

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Independence under pressure

Commercial mindset

Tools

ETRM platform

Job description

A key Optimus client that is an energy marketing and trading organization is seeking an experienced commercial contracts professional to support both its Wholesale Trading and Producer Services businesses. This individual will play a critical role in negotiating, administering, and maintaining a broad range of commercial agreements while serving as a key partner to traders, marketers, and commercial leadership.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of energy contracts, contract lifecycle management, and commercial operations. In addition to negotiating and administering agreements, this individual will ensure contract data is accurately maintained within the company's ETRM system and provide analytical support related to contract terms, obligations, and portfolio exposure.

This position is highly visible within the organization and is best suited for a detail-oriented professional who can operate independently, manage competing priorities, and contribute commercially beyond pure contract administration.

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft, administer, and maintain a variety of commercial agreements supporting crude oil and natural gas marketing activities
• .Manage the full contract lifecycle, including amendments, assignments, novations, mergers, name changes, and termination notices
• Review, negotiate, and administer: Agency Agreements (Crude and Natural Gas), NAESB agreements and related special provisions (REQUIRED), Asset Management Agreements (AMAs), Transportation and storage agreements, Hub service agreements, Transaction confirmations and related commercial documentation
• Coordinate force majeure communications, including drafting, distributing, tracking, and maintaining records during operational or weather-related events
• .Review and negotiate supporting commercial documentation, including: Non-Disclosure, Agreements (NDAs), Parent Guarantees, Letters of Credit, Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation
• Manage the distribution and tracking of commercial notices, including bankruptcy notices, address changes, terminations, and other contractual communications
• .Maintain accurate contract records and obligations within the company's ETRM platform
• .Perform ad hoc contract analysis and reporting, including identifying and evaluating agreements containing specific commercial provisions or contractual language
• .Support various commercial operations activities, including maintaining tax-exempt documentation and other contract-related compliance requirements
• .Partner closely with traders, marketers, accounting, legal, credit, and operations teams to support commercial objectives and ensure contractual compliance

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering energy commodity contracts, preferably within crude oil, natural gas, or NGL market
• Strong understanding of NAESB agreements, agency agreements, transportation and storage contracts, and related commercial documentation
• Experience managing contract data and maintaining agreement records within an ETRM platform
• Knowledge of force majeure processes, contractual notices, assignments, novations, and related contract administration activities
• Familiarity with credit-related agreements, including guarantees, letters of credit, and KYC requirement
• Strong commercial mindset with the ability to understand how contract terms impact trading, marketing, and producer services activities
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced trading environment
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills

This position works closely with commercial teams that operate in a real-time trading environment. Candidates should be comfortable working on-site during normal trading hours and collaborating directly with traders, marketers, and commercial leadership