Senior Policy Advisor, Upstream

Job Summary

Provide senior-level technical, operational, and regulatory leadership for API’s policy development and advocacy on priority issues affecting upstream oil and natural gas operations. Serve as a principal subject matter expert on offshore operations, access, safety, wildlife, and environmental policy; anticipate emerging legislative and regulatory issues; and lead the development and execution of strategies that advance exploration and production. Represent API, its members, and the industry before federal and state agencies, Congress, allied organizations, the media, and other external stakeholders.

Lead ongoing work through assigned member committees and workgroups, exercising a high degree of independent judgment while coordinating with API Communications, Legal, Government Affairs, Public Affairs, Global Industry Services, and State Petroleum Councils. Build consensus among member companies and collaborate with allied trades, coalitions, technical experts, and other stakeholders. Establish priorities, direct projects and research, and execute national, regional, and state strategies aligned with API policy positions and long-term member objectives.

 Duties/Responsibilities

• Leads the development, implementation, and communication of API policy positions related to offshore oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production, with emphasis on offshore access, operational safety, environmental protection, and marine species policy.
• Serves as a principal subject matter expert; maintains deep knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, agency practices, industry operations, and emerging issues; and provides timely, credible analysis and recommendations to API leadership and members.
• Anticipates and identifies legislative and regulatory opportunities and risks; prioritizes issues; assesses operational and economic impacts; develops scientifically and technically defensible alternatives; and prepares comments, testimony, talking points, presentations, and other advocacy materials.
• Leads assigned committees and workgroups, establishes agendas and annual priorities, facilitates resolution of complex or competing views, and builds member consensus on policy positions and advocacy strategies.
• Develops and executes integrated advocacy strategies with API Government Affairs, Legal, Communications, Public Affairs, Global Industry Services, State Petroleum Councils, allied trades, coalitions, and technical organizations.
• Establishes and maintains senior-level relationships with API members, federal and state policymakers, regulatory officials, congressional staff, industry organizations, technical experts, and other stakeholders to advance API objectives.
• Represents API as an advocate, spokesperson, and technical authority before government agencies, Congress, conferences, the media, think tanks, private-sector organizations, and non-governmental organizations; clearly translates complex issues for expert and general audiences.
• Directs priority projects, research, and consultant work; develops scopes, schedules, budgets, and deliverables; provides input to annual budget planning; and oversees spending and contractor performance.
• Provides rapid-response analysis and strategic guidance to API leadership and other departments, manages multiple high-priority issues concurrently, and performs responsibilities with substantial independence and sound judgment.
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Qualifications

• 7-10 years of relevant professional experience, including substantial responsibility for public policy, regulatory affairs, government relations, industry advocacy, or a comparable role; direct subject matter expertise in offshore oil and natural gas issues is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, law, environmental science, engineering, political science, or another relevant field, or equivalent related work experience; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Deep understanding of offshore oil and natural gas operations and the associated legislative, regulatory, technical, and stakeholder landscape, including offshore access, operational safety, environmental protection, and relevant Endangered Species Act and marine species policy.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex federal and state regulations and legislation, assess potential industry impacts, identify emerging issues, and develop broad issues-management and advocacy strategies.
• Knowledge of federal administrative law, agency rulemaking, congressional processes, and the development of formal regulatory comments and other advocacy materials.
• Proven ability to lead member committees or multi-stakeholder workgroups, resolve differing perspectives, build consensus, and translate member priorities into executable policy strategies.
• Ability to exercise a high level of independent judgment with minimal supervision while working collegially across the organization and with member company representatives, allied organizations, and technical experts.
• Established credibility and discretion in engaging senior executives, policymakers, elected officials, regulators, the media, and external stakeholders; prior experience with industry organizations and government agencies is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, written, verbal, visual, presentation, and public-speaking skills, including the ability to translate technical and complex issues into clear, persuasive narratives for both expert and general audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority issues, budgets, research projects, and third-party contractors while maintaining quality, responsiveness, and attention to detail; proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Requirements

• Able to remain in a stationary position working on a computer 
• Move about the office to access office machinery, meeting rooms, etc. on occasion 
• Operate a computer and other office machinery such as printers and copy machines 
• Transport items and equipment up to 10 lbs. on occasion

Travel Requirements

• Approximately 10% - 20% but may vary based on individual job needs and function.
  

This job outline describes the typical accountabilities and requirements of the position and should not be construed as an all-encompassing description of every duty performed by or expected of the incumbent.

EEO Statement

API is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Our success in maintaining a reputation for professional excellence depends on selecting the best qualified candidates. Achieving this objective means that no employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, age, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, and reproductive health decisions), genetic information, national origin, disability, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, matriculation, credit information, the status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual offense, or any prohibited basis under federal, state or local law. 

API is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Department via email at HumanResources@api.org.  

Candidates are typically hired at a point in the salary range based on prior experience, education, and market demand for the role; candidates are also compared internally to their peers. 

API offers a comprehensive benefits package for our employees and their families. More information about our benefits may be found at api.org/about/careers/benefits.