Senior Drilling Operations Manager

About the role

The Senior Drilling Operations Manager will lead and coordinate drilling activities across multiple rigs, ensuring safe, efficient and cost‑effective well delivery in line with technical, operational and regulatory standards.

Key responsibilities

• Manage multi‑rig drilling operations and deliver against approved plans.
• Oversee drilling programme execution according to technical standards and well designs.
• Monitor rig performance, well progress and operational efficiency.
• Ensure strict HSE compliance and adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Lead drilling planning, scheduling and resource allocation.
• Control drilling budgets and optimise costs.
• Track KPIs, drilling metrics and produce performance reports.
• Manage contractors and service companies.
• Lead and develop drilling teams and engineers.

Required profile

• Minimum 15 years of experience in onshore/offshore drilling operations.
• At least 7 years in senior drilling leadership roles managing large‑scale campaigns.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.

Required skills

• Well design and rig operations expertise.
• Well control and risk management knowledge.
• Operational performance improvement (efficiency, downtime reduction).
• Contractor and stakeholder management.
• Decision‑making in complex drilling environments.
• Strong focus on HSE and regulatory compliance.