Drilling Operation Manager

SAUDI ARABIAN RESOURCES COMPANY; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) in Riyadh seeks a Drilling Operation Manager to lead and optimize exploration and production drilling activities. You will ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and technical standards set by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.

You will report to the Drilling Director and drive Saudization while delivering high-quality geological data for assay and resource modeling in a fast-paced refining network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related discipline.
• At least 10 years of drilling operations experience, with 5 years in a senior management role.
• Experience in reverse circulation and diamond core drilling.
• Knowledge of Saudi mining regulations and environmental compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large budgets and complex contractor agreements.
• Excellent command of English for technical reporting and communication.
• Willingness to work in remote locations and travel within the Kingdom.
• Valid driving license and clean safety record.
• PMP certification is preferred.
• Master's degree in a relevant engineering or business field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drilling Program Execution – oversee daily drilling program execution to meet meterage targets safely and efficiently.
• HSE Compliance Leadership – enforce health, safety and environmental regulations across sites and lead incident investigations.
• Contractor Performance Management – manage drilling contractor relationships and monitor performance metrics.
• Budget and Cost Control – manage drilling budget and implement cost-saving initiatives.
• Technical Data Integrity – ensure accurate and secure drilling data, with chain-of-custody for samples.
• Workforce Development – drive training and Saudization initiatives for the drilling team.
• Regulatory Liaison – act as the operational contact for relevant inspections and permits.
• Equipment Maintenance Oversight – supervise maintenance schedules and spare parts inventory.

Skills

English proficiency

Leadership

Budget management

Contractor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Master's degree in relevant field

Job description

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is seeking a Drilling Operation Manager in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to lead and optimize our exploration and production drilling activities. This role is critical for defining mineral resources that feed into our downstream refining and bullion production value chain. The successful candidate will ensure all drilling operations meet strict safety, environmental, and technical standards required by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. The Drilling Operation Manager will report directly to the Drilling Director and will play a key role in executing SGR's resource expansion strategy. This position demands a leader who can manage complex contractor relationships, drive Saudization initiatives, and deliver high-quality geological data for assay and resource modeling.

Key Responsibilities

• Drilling Program Execution – The role oversees the daily execution of drilling programs to ensure meterage targets are met safely and efficiently. This includes managing rig mobilization, site preparation, and operational scheduling to minimize downtime.
• HSE Compliance Leadership – This position enforces strict adherence to health, safety and environmental regulations across all drilling sites. The manager conducts regular audits and leads incident investigations to maintain a zero-harm culture.
• Contractor Performance Management – The role manages relationships with drilling contractors to ensure service levels meet contractual obligations. This involves monitoring performance metrics, negotiating variations and resolving operational disputes promptly.
• Budget and Cost Control – This position controls the drilling operational budget by tracking expenditures on fuel, consumables and services. The manager implements cost‑saving initiatives without compromising safety or data quality.
• Technical Data Integrity – The role ensures that all drilling data including logs and samples are captured accurately and securely. This includes maintaining chain‑of‑custody protocols for samples sent to the assay laboratory.
• Workforce Development – This position drives the development of the drilling workforce through targeted training and mentorship programs. The manager actively supports Saudization goals by recruiting and upskilling Saudi nationals.
• Regulatory Liaison – The role serves as the primary operational contact for Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources inspections. This ensures all drilling activities remain compliant with national mining laws and environmental permits.
• Equipment Maintenance Oversight – This position oversees the maintenance schedules for drilling rigs and support equipment to prevent mechanical failures. The manager ensures that spare parts inventory is optimized for remote site operations.

Success Metrics

• Delivery of 95 of planned drilling meterage within the approved annual budget
• Zero lost-time injuries LTIs and recordable incidents across all drilling operations
• Reduction of non-productive time NPT by 10 compared to the previous year
• Achievement of Saudization targets for the drilling workforce as per Nitaqat requirements
• 100 compliance with MIM regulatory inspections and environmental permits
• Maintenance of sample integrity with zero chain-of-custody breaches reported
• Successful training and promotion of at least two Saudi nationals to supervisory roles

Equal Opportunity Statement

Saudi Gold Refinery welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.

Hiring decisions are based on role requirements, skills, experience and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in drilling operations with 5 years in a senior management role.
• Proven expertise in managing both reverse circulation and diamond core drilling programs.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi mining regulations and environmental compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large budgets and complex contractor agreements.
• Excellent command of English for technical reporting and operational communication.
• Willingness to work in remote locations and travel frequently within the Kingdom.
• Valid driving license and clean safety record.
• Preferred / Nice-to-haveMaster's degree in a relevant engineering or business field.
• Specific experience in gold or precious metal exploration projects.
• Existing network within the Saudi drilling and mining contractor community.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.