Division Manager, Upstream & Commercial Negotiations

Oando Plc

About the Company

Job Description

Required Skills

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Oando's upstream commercial negotiations and gas business functions at the enterprise level.
• Provide strategic direction, commercial leadership, and governance to optimize the company’s position across JV operations, production sharing contracts, gas commercialization, asset transactions, and regulatory engagements.
• Develop and execute negotiation strategies aligned with corporate objectives and Nigerian regulatory frameworks.
• Drive value creation through commercial deal structuring and contract optimization.
• Represent Oando in high-stakes negotiations with JV partners, government entities, and third parties.
• Manage commercial risks to protect and enhance revenue streams.
• Build organizational capability through talent development and succession planning.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive Commercial Negotiations Framework.
• Serve as the enterprise-level Commercial Authority for upstream negotiations.
• Shape long-range commercial strategies for portfolio optimization including asset acquisitions, divestments, farm-in/farm-out transactions, unitization agreements, and strategic partnerships.
• Present commercial deal evaluations, negotiation outcomes, and portfolio-level risk/opportunity assessments to executive management and Board committees.
• Provide commercial input for M&A due diligence, asset valuation, and transaction structuring.
• Own and manage the Commercial & Negotiations Division’s annual budget.
• Provide leadership and direction to direct reports.
• Oversee end-to-end execution of commercial programs.
• Establish performance management systems with KPIs, dashboards, and accountability mechanisms.
• Drive operational excellence through continuous improvement of negotiation processes.
• Lead negotiation of Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs), farm-in/farm-out agreements, unitization agreements, and other upstream commercial instruments.
• Manage ongoing JV commercial relationships.
• Negotiate crude oil lifting arrangements, export terminal access agreements, pipeline tariffs, and processing fees.
• Lead commercial aspects of asset integration following acquisitions.
• Coordinate with Legal on contract drafting, dispute resolution strategies, and arbitration proceedings.
• Provide strategic oversight of Oando’s gas business.
• Drive negotiation and execution of gas sales agreements.
• Develop gas monetization strategies.
• Oversee flare gas commercialization programmes.
• Ensure full compliance with Nigerian petroleum fiscal terms, NUPRC commercial regulations, and PIA provisions.
• Serve as Oando’s principal commercial representative to NUPRC, NNPC Ltd, and other government entities.
• Represent Oando in OPTS and industry forums on commercial policy matters.
• Engage with Ministry of Petroleum Resources, FIRS, and other government agencies on fiscal matters.
• Coordinate with Insurance/Underwriters and Financial Advisors on commercial risk transfer mechanisms.
• Build and sustain a high-performing Commercial & Negotiations organization.
• Develop and maintain succession plans for all key positions within the Division.
• Establish competency frameworks and professional development programmes.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
• Lead performance management for the Division.
• Align commercial strategies with Production Operations, Finance, Legal, Business Development, and Corporate Planning.
• Ensure commercial considerations are embedded in field development planning and capital project reviews.
• Lead commercial advisor engagement and performance management.
• Facilitate executive-level communication through periodic commercial reports and Board presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Law, Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• MSc/MBA or relevant advanced degree strongly recommended.
• Relevant professional body membership (e.g., Nigerian Bar Association, ICAN, CIS, SPE, AIPN).
• Certifications in Contract & Commercial Management (WorldCC/IACCM), Negotiation (e.g., Harvard PON), or Petroleum Economics highly advantageous.
• 15–20 years total experience in upstream commercial negotiations, contract management, gas commercialisation, or related commercial disciplines in oil and gas.
• Minimum 7–10 years in senior managerial or strategic leadership roles with commercial accountability.
• Demonstrated experience in enterprise-level upstream commercial negotiations and governance.
• Demonstrated experience in JV commercial management, PSC administration, and partner engagement.
• Demonstrated experience in gas sales agreement negotiation and gas business development.
• Demonstrated experience in Nigerian petroleum fiscal regime and regulatory compliance (PIA, NUPRC).
• Demonstrated experience in managing multidisciplinary commercial teams.
• Demonstrated experience in budget ownership, financial planning, and strategic resource allocation.
• Demonstrated experience in Board/Executive-level reporting and stakeholder management.
• Demonstrated experience in M&A transactions, asset acquisitions, and divestment processes in upstream oil and gas.
• Strategic Vision & Business Acumen.
• Leadership & Organizational Development.
• Negotiation Mastery & Influence.
• Stakeholder Management & Relationship Building.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration.
• Decision-Making Under Uncertainty.
• Ethics, Integrity & Compliance.
• Communication & Executive Presence.
• Mastery of JOAs, PSCs, farm-in/farm-out agreements, unitization agreements, and upstream commercial instruments.
• Expert knowledge of Nigerian petroleum fiscal terms (PIA, PPT Act), royalty structures, cost recovery mechanisms, NUPRC regulations, and international upstream fiscal benchmarking.
• Strong command of domestic and export gas markets, GSA structures, pricing mechanisms, and gas infrastructure economics.
• Proficiency in M&A transaction structuring, asset valuation methodologies, due diligence processes, and commercial risk assessment.
• Advanced skills in petroleum economics, project economics modelling, sensitivity/scenario analysis, and financial evaluation.
• Strong understanding of commercial dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Skilled in JV governance frameworks, operating committee management, and partner alignment strategies.
• Familiarity with commercial analytics platforms, contract lifecycle management systems, and deal management tools.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead strategic commercial initiatives in a major energy company.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.
• Exposure to high-level negotiations and executive decision-making.

How to Apply

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Posted Date

February 20, 2026

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