Senior Counsel, Import and Trade Compliance

ConocoPhillips; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base pay

Annual performance bonuses

Retirement savings plans

Paid time off

Career development

Job summary

ConocoPhillips is seeking a Senior Counsel for Import and Trade Compliance to lead the company’s global trade compliance program, advising on customs, export controls, and regulatory risk. You will manage a team and coordinate across Legal, Supply Chain, and Business Units.

The role emphasizes governance, policy development, and collaborative problem solving to enable cross-border operations while maintaining robust compliance with CBP, export control regimes, and sanctions.

Qualifications

• Requires Juris Doctor degree and active U.S. license to practice law.
• Minimum 7+ years in import compliance, international trade, customs, or related regulatory matters.
• Experience building and enhancing enterprise-wide compliance programs in a complex corporate environment.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. customs laws, CBP processes, tariff classification, and recordkeeping.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Company’s import compliance program and governance.
• Advise on CBP requirements, valuation, tariff classification, origin rules, and recordkeeping obligations.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Licensed to practice law (US)

Tools

ERP systems

Customs automation platforms

Trade compliance technologies

Job description

Welcome to ConocoPhillips, where innovation and excellence create a platform for opportunity and growth. Come realize your full potential here.Who We AreWe are one of the world’s largest independent exploration and production companies, based on proved reserves and production of liquids and natural gas. With operations and activities in 13 countries, we explore for, develop, and produce crude oil and natural gas globally. We are challenged with an important job to safely find and deliver energy to the world. Our employees are critical to our success, and with them we power civilization.We’re grounded by our SPIRIT Values – safety, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation, and teamwork. These values position us to deliver strong performance in a dynamic business – but not at all costs. We believe it’s not just what we do – it’s how we do it – that sets us apart.Fostering an Inclusive Work EnvironmentTo deliver superior performance, we create an environment that respects the contributions and differences of every individual. Wherever possible, we use these differences to drive competitive business advantage, personal growth and, ultimately, create business success.Job SummaryThe Senior Counsel, Import and Trade Compliance, serves as the Company's senior legal advisor on import compliance and leads integration of global trade compliance matters. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously enhancing the Company's import compliance program while coordinating appropriate integration with the Company's established export compliance program.Reporting to the Managing Counsel, Global Compliance, the Senior Counsel, Import and Trade Compliance will lead a small team of trade compliance professionals and provide strategic legal advice and practical business guidance regarding customs, supply chain, and international trade compliance.The Senior Counsel, Import and Trade Compliance will lead import program governance, regulatory engagement, risk assessments, audits, disclosures, compliance investigations, technology modernization initiatives, and integration across the Company's import and export compliance activities.Working collaboratively across Legal, Supply Chain, Commercial, Tax, Security, Finance, and Business Unit leadership, this role will be responsible for maintaining a comprehensive trade compliance framework that enables business objectives, mitigates regulatory risk, and promotes a strong culture of compliance.Position OverviewKey Responsibilities:Import Compliance Program LeadershipServe as the legal and functional owner of the Company’s import compliance program.Maintain and enhance enterprise-wide import compliance policies, procedures, standards, and governance frameworks.Lead a network of Import Compliance Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) across Supply Chain, Commercial, and other business functions.Oversee record retention requirements and documentation management processes for import transactions.Customs Compliance and Regulatory MattersAdvise business stakeholders regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements, customs valuation, tariff classification, country-of-origin requirements, recordkeeping obligations, and related customs matters.Manage CTPAT Trade Compliance program and interactions with CBP and other governmental authorities.Coordinate and oversee responses to inquiries, audits, and other requests from governmental authorities.Lead investigations and remediation efforts arising from customs compliance issues.Supply Chain and Commercial SupportProvide legal and strategic guidance to Supply Chain and Commercial organizations regarding planned imports and cross-border transactions.Develop and implement import compliance contract clauses.Advise stakeholders on customs risks associated with sourcing, procurement, transportation, and commercial operations.Serve as the Company’s subject matter expert for special duty and tariff programs.Evaluate the impact of regulatory developments and advise leadership regarding potential business implications.Export Compliance Program Integration ResponsibilitiesOversee and maintain the Company’s export compliance program, including policies, procedures, governance structures, and controls.Ensure consistent governance and alignment between import and export compliance programs.Maintain customs broker and freight forwarder governance and oversight procedures.Identify and lead enhancements of technology solutions related to import and export compliance activities.Required QualificationsLegally authorized to work in the United StatesJuris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.7 or more years of experience in import compliance, international trade, customs, export compliance, or related regulatory matters.Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and enhancing compliance programs in a complex corporate environment.Expert level of knowledge of:U.S. customs laws and regulationsCustoms valuation and tariff classificationCBP enforcement processesImport recordkeeping requirementsTrade compliance risk managementExperience interacting directly with government agencies and external counsel.Strong leadership, project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.Ability to effectively balance legal risk management with business objectives.Preferred QualificationsLicensed Customs Broker, Certified Customs Specialist, Certified Export Specialist, or similar trade compliance designation.Knowledge of CTPAT requirements, customs audits, and government trade enforcement programs.Working knowledge of export control and sanctions regulations.Experience leading global trade compliance programs encompassing both import and export compliance.Experience managing and developing compliance professionals.Experience supporting multinational organizations with complex supply chain and global operations.Experience with ERP systems, customs automation platforms, and trade compliance technologies.Experience managing customs brokers, freight forwarders, and other third-party trade service providers.Apply By:Oct 6, 2026Sponsorship:ConocoPhillips’ sponsorship for employment authorization in the U.S. is NOT available for this position.Benefits OverviewConocoPhillips offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and career growth:Taking Care of Your Health & Wellness : Medical, dental, vision, mental health support, and wellness programs.Supporting and Building Financial Security : Competitive base pay, annual performance bonuses, and retirement savings plans.Promoting Work-Life Balance : Paid time off, paid parental leave, and family support resources.Offering Career Development : Access to training, mentoring, and internal career mobility tools.Guiding Recognition & Inclusion : Peer-nominated awards, inclusive culture, and employee resource groups.Why ConocoPhillipsAt ConocoPhillips, we believe our people power the future of energy. We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow—professionally and personally.We don’t just offer jobs—we offer meaningful careers in a company that values how we work as much as what we achieve.EEO:In the US, ConocoPhillips is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.