Jill Burns, MBA
Jill Burns, MBA
Senior Operations & Process Excellence Leader | LNG & Energy Industry Expert
About Me
"Operational excellence starts with clarity—clear processes, clear expectations, clear ownership." - Jill Burns
Purpose-driven operations and process excellence leader with 20+ years of experience across the global LNG and natural gas value chain. Known for turning complex, fragmented operations into clear, scalable, well-governed systems that support commercial growth, regulatory compliance, and high-performing teams.
Brings deep expertise in contract management, Endur systems support, commercial operations, process design, risk management, and large-scale team building across multiple regions. Has led the design and implementation of core LNG processes and systems, created global playbooks to ensure consistency and auditability, and supported the creation of new, highly capable teams in lower-cost locations to help meet Shell’s cost commitments.
Calm, structured, and people-centered, with a decisive leadership style that builds trust with senior leaders, traders, managers, and analysts alike. Focused on clarity and accountability, consistently streamlining recruitment and onboarding across hubs, designing and delivering training programs, and coaching trainers—recognition that includes a Shipping & Maritime EVP Award nomination for impact on capability building. Known for valuing transparency, thoughtful challenge, and practical solutions over perfection, with a proven track record of connecting people, process, and technology to deliver measurable improvements in performance, reliability, and governance.
HOW I ADD VALUE
- Turn complex, fragmented operations into clear, repeatable processes.
- Build and stabilize high-performing teams through change and integration.
- Strengthen compliance and governance without slowing the business down.
- Connect people, processes, and systems to improve reliability and reduce risk.
CORE LEADERSHIP STRENGTHS
- Global Process Optimization & Transformation
- Commercial Operations & Trading Support
- LNG Contract Management & Operational Governance
- Risk Management & Compliance
- Enterprise System Enhancements (Endur V9–V14, CMS)
- Program & Project Leadership (Teams of 20–50+)
- Cross-Functional Stakeholder Alignment
- Large-Scale Migration & Integration Leadership
- High-Performance Team Development & Training
- Continuous Improvement & Standardization
- Positive, Learning-Oriented Leadership Approach
IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS
- Global Migration Leadership
Led key workstreams in multi-region global cost desirable countries migrations, designing training and onboarding that enabled new teams to ramp up quickly and sustainably. - Compliance & Dodd-Frank Readiness
Managed Phase 1 implementation of Position Limits and Transaction Reporting requirements, aligning senior stakeholders and large project teams around a clear delivery plan. - LNG Process Playbook
Led creation of the first global LNG Process Playbook, standardizing core operations and improving consistency across regions. - System Modernization (Endur)
Supported major Endur upgrades, helping ensure that commercial teams had stable, reliable tools during organizational and portfolio change.
CURRENT POSITION
T&S Migration Project SME
SHELL INTERNATIONAL TRADING
Houston, TX
Jan 2024 – Present
- Serve as SME across three major global migration programs, guiding teams.
- through complex SBO transitions and ensuring alignment with operational, technical, and commercial objectives.
- Present migration proposals to executive review boards, strengthening decision clarity and ensuring risk-controlled implementation.
- Support both displaced and newly formed teams through transparent communication, issue resolution, and change enablement.
- Established and managed centralized Teams workspace for documentation and communications, improving visibility and cross-team coordination.
- Led workshops and activity-mapping sessions to empower team accountability and accelerate project delivery.
- Streamlined recruitment and onboarding processes by partnering with HR and leadership across multiple international hubs.
- Designed and delivered structured training programs for new hires and trainers; recognized with an S&M EVP Award nomination for leadership in learning.
- Collaborated with recruiters globally, ensuring resource readiness, office setup and continuity of workforce.
- Provided structured project reporting and status updates to leadership, improving governance and proactive risk mitigation.
- Drive annual playbook updates, conducting 1:1 leadership engagements and ensuring timely approval and publication of revised materials.
PRevious Work
Senior Project Manager
SHELL INTERNATIONAL TRADING
Houston, TX
Jul 2021 – Jan 2024
- Led Phase 1 implementation of compliance requirements for Position Limits
- (Exchanges & OTC) and Transaction Reporting under evolving Dodd-Frank regulations.
- Facilitated SteerCo and DRB meetings with senior T&S leadership, ensuring alignment, clarity, and timely decision-making.
- Directed a core team of 20+ and an extended team of 50, including oversight of three project managers, ensuring synchronized delivery across all workstreams.
- Oversaw onboarding of new Shell employees and contractors, strengthening capability and continuity across the project lifecycle.
- Supervised a team of four, providing coaching, structure, and professional development pathways.
- Organized the 2022 return-to-office transition for Programme & Projects Delivery teams, ensuring operational readiness and stakeholder engagement.
- Built the US community for the broader PMO organization, promoting knowledge-sharing and team cohesion.
Process Owner North American Products
SHELL INTERNATIONAL TRADING
Houston, TX
Jul 2018 – Jul 2021
- Partnered with key business stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and execute improvement opportunities across the North American Products organization.
- Supported global operations by contributing to Operations Onboarding content, strengthening training consistency and knowledge transfer.
- Served on the Risk Task Force, driving process standardization and operational governance improvements.
Regional Team Lead – East
SHELL INTERNATIONAL TRADING
Houston, TX
Feb 2016 – Jul 2018
- Led the creation of the first LNG Process Playbook, establishing standardized global operating procedures.
- Played a critical role in the BG/Shell integration, ensuring operational continuity and system alignment.
- Oversaw Endur system usage for the LNG organization, improving accuracy, visibility, and commercial effectiveness.
- Participated in clean team activities, enabling compliant data sharing for contract and operational alignment.
- Led global initiatives to identify operational gaps, streamline workflows, and implement standard practices across all SLMT regions.
- Designed and launched a global support model for Endur, reducing operational errors and improving commercial interface stability.
- Directed integration of DEX functionality into Endur V14, including communication strategy, technical onboarding, and global change adoption.
- Facilitated stakeholder workshops to align regional priorities and standardize global processes.
Commercial Manager, LNG Assurance
BG GROUP
Houston, TX
Aug 2013 – Feb 2016
- Oversaw global LNG business processes, ensuring documentation, controls, and systems were audit-ready and consistently executed across three regional hubs.
- Managed Endur upgrades from V9 to V14, serving as the primary link between technical teams and commercial decision-makers.
- Developed training materials, commercial tools, and systems that strengthened portfolio reliability and system literacy.
- Led onboarding, capability development, and commercial governance for global LNG staff.
- Modernized contracting processes, improved risk controls, and reinforced operational governance.
- Managed cross-functional team delivering CMS expansion for QCLNG contracts, enabling stronger lifecycle management and improved reliability.
Commercial Manager, EAME LNG Contracts
BG GROUP
Reading, Berkshire, UK
Jan 2011 – Aug 2013
- Managed supply contracts and import terminal capacities across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, ensuring alignment with trading strategies.
- Delivered CMS upgrade improving upside-sharing calculations and strengthening commercial outcomes.
- Oversaw contract execution, scheduling, and dispute management across multiple jurisdictions.
- Led renegotiation of high-value Sales & Purchase Agreements influencing $100M+ in commercial value.
- Maintained supplier relationships and ensured adherence to operational and commercial obligations.
Contracts Manager, LNG Portfolio
BG GROUP
Houston, TX
Dec 2009 – Jan 2011
- Managed commercial operations for Egypt LNG SPA, ensuring contractual compliance and value protection.
- Coordinated physical scheduling, including cooldown/gas-up operations and port compatibility assessments.
- Supported diversions and upside-sharing frameworks aligned with global strategy.
- Conducted accurate portfolio valuation of Egypt LNG volumes for commercial and financial decision-making.
Assurance Manager, LNG Portfolio
BG GROUP
Houston, TX
Dec 2007 – Dec 2009
- Led cargo scheduling operations with full alignment to downstream commitments and commercial trading priorities.
- Enhanced internal processes for scheduling, compliance, and cross-team communication.
- Partnered with trading, shipping, and operations to resolve discrepancies and improve operational alignment.
PRIOR EXPERIENCE
1997–2009
- Risk Manager — LNG Portfolio
- Senior Project Lead — Natural Gas
- Senior Risk Analyst — Natural Gas
- Risk Analyst — Natural Gas
- Gas & Financial Accountant — Natural Gas
EDUCATION
MBA, Management with Honors
Texas A&M University-Victoria
(Formally University of Houston–Victoria)
Bachelor of Science, Management
Virginia Tech, Pamplin School of Business
LET'S CHAT
I’d be happy to connect about current roles, future opportunities,
or ways I can support your team. Please feel free to reach out anytime.
(713) 568-6463
Based in Houston, TX and available for local, regional, or remote opportunities.
