Director, Low Carbon Regulation and Advocacy - Methanex
About Methanex
Methanex is the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and South America, with its corporate head office located in Vancouver, BC.
Methanex’s global operations are supported by an extensive global supply chain of terminals, storage facilities, and the world’s largest dedicated fleet of methanol ocean tankers.
The Power of Agility is Methanex’s key brand differentiator and is how their global team of approximately 1,400 employees safely and reliably delivers on our brand promise every day by quickly adapting and responding to their customers’ needs and creating and capitalizing on opportunities in the marketplace.
Whilst Methanex does not currently have production facilities in Europe, it draws on their network of storage terminals that give them access to approximately 220,000 tonnes of methanol storage in eight European countries. From these storage locations, Methanex distributes methanol by ship, barge, truck, and pipeline to their customers.
Role Title: Director, Low Carbon Regulation and Advocacy
Reporting to: SVP, Low Carbon Solutions
Location: Europe (preference for Brussels)
What You’ll Do
Reporting to the SVP, Low Carbon Solutions, the Director, Low Carbon Regulation and Advocacy, provides clarity and strategic guidance on the impacts of low-carbon investment regulations, low-carbon fuels, and emissions regulations, including the potential carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).
In particular, the Director will need to be a subject-matter expert on the Fit For 55 Policy Package (with a special focus on Fuel EU (RED), EU Emission Trading System (ETS), International Maritime Organization (IMO) Environmental Protection and Maritime Safety Policies and targets (with a special focus on evolving GHG Reduction Strategy & LCA guidelines)), US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), US Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), US/CA Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), Canadian Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR), and Investment Tax Credits (ITC) and any other pertinent rules and regulations that could impact the economics of supply and demand for low carbon methanol.
The Director collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to provide thought leadership in the evolving low-carbon regulatory space. In addition, they will identify opportunities and risks to support the development and execution of low carbon supply and demand strategies, projects, and initiatives. This includes monitoring and understanding the evolving emissions, low-carbon regulatory and policy landscape in countries Methanex operates in (currently 14 sites globally) as well as markets into which it sells methanol.
Responsibilities
1. Government and Regulatory Policies: Develop a detailed understanding of low carbon investment policies and emissions regulations that can support investment in carbon reduction technologies and low carbon supply projects. Work with regulatory bodies to support the adoption of methanol supportive policies.
2. Develop a detailed understanding of low carbon fuel regulations and policies in existing and potential markets that can support low carbon methanol demand, including the impacts of carbon pricing and ETS, Fuel EU maritime regulations, IMO regulations, and green shipping frameworks on demand for low-carbon methanol.
3. Develop understanding for Sustainable Aviation fuel regulations and potential role for methanol.
4. Collaboratively work with Methanex’s Low Carbon team leads to develop an understanding of the parameters and potential opportunities from low-carbon fuels regulations in Canada (CFR, hydrogen) and in the US (RFS, CALCFS), and how the EU policy environment could potentially be better aligned.
5. In conjunction with regional resources, monitor the development of new environmental policies and regulations (e.g., carbon pricing schemes) and develop an understanding of their impact on Methanex’s operation.
6. Stay informed on developing low carbon regulations and policies, and on carbon offset market development.
Cross Functional Collaboration:
1. Work with Low Carbon Methanol Supply and Low Carbon Market Development to understand the drivers for potential low-carbon methanol projects and emerging low-carbon methanol demand and identify potential strategic opportunities for Methanex.
2. Work with the Methanol Institute (MI) and the Methanex MI Board members to ensure that MI is appropriately focused on regulations that impact the supply and demand for low carbon methanol while maximizing the potential for conventional methanol to play an important transition role. Work very closely with the MI Board Chair to ensure that MI resources are dedicated to advancing methanol supportive policy direction.
3. Work with Waterfront Shipping to understand the impacts of low-carbon fuels regulations on maritime operators.
4. Work with Corporate Development and Manufacturing teams to understand capital management processes and considerations that impact project development. Understand projects and provide support to regional teams in identifying regulatory supports for such projects, where necessary/requested.
5. Work with the Corporate Sustainability team to inform the consideration of regulatory climate-related risks and opportunities.
Strategic Leadership:
1. Identify key risks and opportunities associated with low carbon regulations and policies and provide direction and thought leadership on how the company should consider/address those risks and opportunities.
2. Provide early identification and direction on advocating for the development of supportive regulations and policies.
3. Identify potential industry impacts from uncoordinated low-carbon policies and regulations from various regulatory bodies.
Communications:
1. Develop internal communications regarding environmental regulatory and policy developments.
2. Identify external industry associations with opportunities to influence the consideration of low-carbon methanol supply or demand opportunities.
Qualifications
1. A University degree. Preference for Masters or higher.
2. 10+ years’ experience in policy research, policy development, analysis, advocacy, corporate affairs, or consultancy with experience in EU affairs and maritime industry are highly desirable.
3. Proficiency in government affairs and policy frameworks related to the energy transition/transition to international agreements, national laws, and regional regulations.
4. Experience with monitoring and understanding political dynamics, international negotiations, and emerging trends.
5. A fundamental understanding of climate science and GHG accounting methodologies as well as decarbonization technologies and their implications, including knowledge of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and storage, electric vehicles, and emerging technologies like hydrogen and advanced biofuels.
6. Excellent oral and written communication, prioritization, problem solving, and time management skills.
7. Innovative and flexible, can demonstrate application of creative thinking. Demonstrated creative ability and track record of new ideas and identification of opportunities.
8. Ability to work with all levels of an organization, lead teams, get things done and produce deliverables on time.
9. Exceptional Microsoft Office suite skills including MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Diversity Policy
Methanex believes that having a diverse team and an inclusive workplace leads to a better company. Methanex is committed to a diverse organization that values different perspectives, backgrounds, skills, and abilities. As an equal opportunity employer, Methanex encourages applications from all qualified individuals and strives to accommodate anyone who may have specific needs.
Recruitment Process
Dober Partners has been retained to draw up a shortlist of prospective candidates against the criteria set out in this document and using their discretion and expertise to recruit a new Director, Low Carbon Regulation and Advocacy, with Methanex’s leadership and HR team.
For further information please contact:
M: +32 488 945 579
natalia@doberpartners.com
M: +39 339 752 3533
Mark Dober
M: +32 477 950 466
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