Operations Manager – Drilling Operations

About the role

The Operations Manager will oversee day‑to‑day performance of multiple drilling rigs within a designated area for a leading multinational oil and gas company. This rotational position requires strong leadership, client focus, and a commitment to safety, operational excellence, and financial stewardship.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate operational activities across several drilling rigs.
• Champion safety culture through audits, inspections, training and compliance monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with company, industry and regulatory standards and safe working procedures.
• Oversee incident investigations, corrective actions and environmental compliance programs.
• Monitor performance, identify improvement opportunities and manage operational risks.
• Collaborate with HR on workforce development, training plans, performance evaluations and succession planning.
• Manage operational budgets, financial performance, capital expenditure requests and cost‑control initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, joint‑venture partners and key stakeholders.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance programmes to maximise rig uptime and efficiency.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• 10–15 years of drilling operations experience, including supervisory and leadership responsibilities.
• Valid certifications in required safety training programmes.
• Strong understanding of drilling operations, HSE requirements, budgeting and client management.
• Preferred: management training or formal leadership education, technical qualifications related to drilling, additional language skills.

Required skills

• Drilling operations
• HSE compliance
• Budget management