Director, Regulatory

NextDecade · Houston Corporate

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SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

The Director, Regulatory is responsible for managing the Company's federal regulatory authorizations, agency relationships, regulatory strategy, and regulatory approval activities associated with LNG facility development, construction, commissioning, operational regulatory matters, and future expansion projects.

The position serves as the Company's primary regulatory interface with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Department of Energy (DOE), and other applicable agencies. The Director, Regulatory leads regulatory filings, authorization amendments, agency approvals, rulemaking assessments, and regulatory oversight activities involving FERC, PHMSA, USCG, DOE, and other applicable regulatory agencies. These activities principally support facility development, construction, commissioning, operational authorization matters, and facility modifications.

This position works closely with Operations, HSSE, Engineering, Environmental, Legal, and Project teams to interpret applicable regulatory requirements, communicate authorization conditions and regulatory commitments, and support their implementation by the responsible business functions. HSSE and Operations retain responsibility for day-to-day facility operating compliance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Regulatory Strategy and Agency Interface

• Serve as the Company's primary resource on federal regulatory requirements applicable to LNG facility development, construction, commissioning, operational authorization matters, and expansion activities, including:
  • FERC regulations under the Natural Gas Act
  • PHMSA regulations applicable to LNG facilities
  • USCG waterfront facility regulations
  • DOE export authorization requirements
  • Other federal and state requirements applicable to LNG facilities.
• Serve as the primary Company interface with FERC, PHMSA, USCG, DOE, and other agencies on regulatory, technical, construction, commissioning, and authorization matters.
• Advise Company leadership regarding regulatory strategy, regulatory risk, emerging requirements, rulemakings, and agency expectations.
• Represent the Company before regulatory agencies, trade organizations, and industry committees.

Authorizations and Regulatory Filings

• Lead preparation, coordination, and submission of regulatory applications, amendments, variances, reports, and other agency filings.
• Manage regulatory support activities associated with facility expansions, debottlenecking projects, authorization amendments, and future LNG development opportunities.
• Coordinate timely regulatory agency approvals required during construction, commissioning, startup, and major facility modifications.
• Maintain oversight of authorization conditions and regulatory commitments associated with Company assets and projects.

Construction and Commissioning Oversight

• Partner with Engineering, Construction, and Commissioning teams to address regulatory issues.
• Coordinate regulatory interactions required during facility construction, commissioning, startup, and transition to operations.
• Support implementation of regulatory commitments and approval conditions during project execution.

Regulatory Governance and Change Management

• Monitor regulatory proceedings, policy developments, guidance documents, and rulemakings affecting the LNG industry.
• Evaluate the impact of regulatory changes and communicate regulatory developments to affected internal stakeholders.
• Develop regulatory guidance, standards, and procedures supporting implementation of authorization conditions and regulatory commitments by affected business functions.
• Provide regulatory interpretation and support to Operations, HSSE, Engineering, Environmental, Legal, and Project teams.

Leadership and Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Regulatory personnel through performance management and succession planning, while managing consultants, budgets, and other resources supporting Company projects and initiatives.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Geology or a related field.
• At least eight years of relevant experience managing federal regulatory authorizations and agency relationships.
• Demonstrated experience managing federal regulatory authorizations and agency relationships.
• Demonstrated experience supporting LNG facility development, construction, commissioning, startup, operational authorization matters, or expansion projects.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and professional staff, with knowledge of LNG technical principles, project planning, and development practices.
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Regulatory Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of FERC, PHMSA, USCG, DOE, and other federal and state requirements governing LNG facilities.
• Strong understanding of LNG facility design, construction, commissioning, operations, and associated regulatory frameworks.
• Experience preparing regulatory filings and agency correspondence and supporting inspections, reviews, and approval processes.
• Proven ability to manage authorization conditions and regulatory commitments and develop effective strategies in complex project and operating environments.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate regulatory developments and implement authorization and regulatory strategies within complex project and operating environments.

Leadership and Professional Skills

• Excellent written, verbal, and technical communication skills.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and organizational capabilities.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across technical, operational, environmental, legal, and executive teams.
• Sound judgment and the ability to balance regulatory requirements, project timelines, and business objectives while developing practical, risk-informed solutions

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel as needed for meetings with regulatory agencies, consultants, and other external stakeholders.
• Periodic travel to the project site in Brownsville, Texas.

Work Environment
This position operates in a professional office environment with occasional work within or outside of a complex construction environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers/fax, filing cabinets, etc. This is primarily a sedentary role; however, the incumbent must be able to stand and/or sit continuously to perform all essential job functions for a full shift.

Able to meet the following physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. as required in order to lift files, boxes and office equipment as necessary.

• Ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending, standing on a stool, or climbing as necessary to perform these functions.
• While performing the duties of this role, the incumbent may be required to talk or hear.
• The incumbent is required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to move throughout all areas of each office/site location and facilities.
• Able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions.

*In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

NEXTDECADE VALUES

• Safety – We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us.
• Integrity – We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do.
• Honesty – We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions.
• Respect – We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work.
• Transparency – Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders.
• Diversity – We value diversity of people and thought. It takes people with different strengths, ideas, and cultural backgrounds to make our company succeed.

NextDecade provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. 

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