Director, Upstream & Carbon Management Consulting

Wood Mackenzie is the global leader in analytics, insights and proprietary data across the entire energy and natural resources landscape. For over 50 years our work has guided the decisions of the world’s most influential energy producers, utilities companies, financial institutions and governments. Now, with the world’s energy system more complex and interconnected than ever before, sector-specific views are no longer enough. That’s why we’ve redefined what’s possible with Intelligence Connected.

The role of the Director, Upstream and Carbon Management (UCM) Consulting EMEA requires a combination of leadership, management, project direction on consulting mandates, business winning capabilities and wider development of the UCM consulting team within the EMEA region. The role holder’s key responsibilities will be to lead the growth of the UCM consulting practice, with a focus on the EMEA region. The individual will have to be able to develop and manage the relationship which exists between Wood Mackenzie and its key clients with respect to the Upstream and Carbon Management industries. This will specifically entail:

• Retaining and increasing UCM consulting revenues as well as improving the profitability of Wood Mackenzie consulting projects and multi-client studies
• Developing networks and relationships that lead to a deep understanding of the client’s needs and therefore future consulting requirements
• Working closely within the global UCM practice group to promote best practice in our existing offerings and take a key role in the future development of the consulting offerings
• Supporting the engagement of the UCM research team with our internal sales/marketing teams to make sure the interests of the EMEA client base is captured internally

The role is high-profile both internally and externally and influential in Wood Mackenzie achieving its goals globally.

Main Responsibilities

Business Development

• Pro-actively maintain a high-level of client interaction across the region, with specific focus on key clients, to source and develop strong relationships and a solid, repeatable, profitable consulting business
• Support the targeting, prioritization and engagement of clients in EMEA to develop a platform for UCM consulting activities
• Promote best practice in terms of business development across the UCM consulting group
• Review all pitches to ensure quality, appropriate pricing, etc.
• Work with project manager to scope and write pitches

People and Thought Leadership

• Building and maintaining the appropriate internal network (across consulting, research and client management) to deliver the best possible outcome for both Wood Mackenzie and its clients
• Motivating and developing staff, improving our understanding of the challenges faced by our key clients
• Generation of innovative ideas and approaches to industry issues, both within particular assignments and to the research and consulting practice as a whole, focusing on EMEA and its role within the global industry

Team Management

• As a key member of the EMEA UCM consulting team the candidate will assist in recruiting and managing of the EMEA-based UCM consulting practice
• Work closely with research teams and ensure consistent and good working relationships exist, providing a mentoring role for research and sales & account management colleagues who have a different reporting line
• Work closely with the other regional sector leads to ensure alignment of the consulting practice with regard to existing and planned commitments
• Ensure tight control of project pipeline and proper resource management with strong communication with the research team
• Ensure development of consulting skills and processes across team

Project Direction

• Actively participate in client mandates working with team and clients to ensure high quality, insightful results for both UCM and consulting
• Improve operational process for life cycle of consulting assignments and ensure processes are embedded across broader research and consulting team members
• Ensure commitments to client can be met and that pitching activity is aligned with business strategy
• Manage client expectations

Knowledge & Experience Required

• Top-tier university degree (master’s/diploma/PhD) and/or MBA or relevant Master's degree.
• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Bachelor of Commerce or related field.
• Professional qualification: CA, ACCA or CIMA. CFA Charter holder or Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor (CM&AA).
• Significant previous experience in a senior management consulting / strategy consulting role or a senior strategic planning, business development, or commercial role within an energy company
• Deep understanding of the EMEA energy industry, operations, business models and strategies
• Understanding across the upstream and carbon management industries.
• Understanding of the EMEA regulatory environment as it impacts petroleum and energy markets.
• Understanding of the energy transition, impacts and risks across the value chain.
• Awareness of the dynamics, uncertainties, variabilities and impact of assumptions in assessments of the future energy world.
• Valuation experience – economic modelling of opportunities from pre-feasibility (high uncertainty of data) through to detailed valuations of operating projects and corporate M&A due diligence work (buy and sell side projects); strong transaction support experience, with particular depth in upstream valuations and the ability to apply valuation expertise beyond upstream (oil and gas, petchems and renewables value chains).
• Experience supporting fiscal advisory work for governments and national oil companies would be an advantage.
• Track record and experience in directing, managing and executing consulting engagements and driving industry and/or consulting business development
• Experience working other jurisdictions, in addition to EMEA is desirable.

Core Competencies

• Focus on how and what we do to deliver the vision and strategy
• Issue identification, problem solving and analysis
• Focus on practical solutions in delivery for client needs
• Providing Leadership
• Building and Maintaining Relationships
• Excellent communication, writing, presentation and analytical skills
• Client Focused
• Passion for the energy industry and a drive to assist companies as they navigate the energy transition

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. This means we are committed to recruiting the best people regardless of their race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Inclusive – we succeed together

Trusting – we choose to trust each other

Customer committed – we put customers at the heart of our decisions

Future Focused – we accelerate change

Curious – we turn knowledge into action