Director of Subsurface Project Management

ViziRecruiter,LLC.; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Ormat, headquartered in Reno, NV, seeks a Director to lead the Subsurface Project Management Office and the development portfolio. You will guide governance, analytics, and strategic planning across exploration, development, and reservoir optimization projects.

You will build high-performing matrix teams, standardize practices, and drive continuous improvement across global subsurface operations, partnering with multiple functions to ensure execution excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Geoscience, Construction Management, Project Management, Business or related technical discipline.
• Master's degree in Engineering, MBA or related discipline preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Subsurface Project Management Office (PMO) and portfolio governance.
• Develop and advance project management maturity and governance across the subsurface portfolio.
• Build and motivate high-performing teams through coaching and succession planning.
• Ensure standardized project management practices across all Subsurface projects.
• Provide portfolio analytics, risk assessments, and dashboards for executive leadership.
• Collaborate with Geoscience, Reservoir Management, Wells, Engineering, Finance, Procurement, EHST, Operations to optimize delivery.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive communication

Leadership of multidisciplinary teams

Change management

Emotional intelligence

Stakeholder management

Influence without authority

Negotiation

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

MBA or related master's preferred

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

General computer skills

Job description

Introduction

Headquartered in Reno, NV, Ormat designs, develops, builds, owns and operates geothermal and recovered energy-based power plants in the US and worldwide. With a spotless international reputation, we’re on track to become a leading global provider of renewable energy.

We take pride in our family-oriented business building practical green energy solutions from the ground up.

Join a team that’s giving new life to the future of our planet.

Overview

This position is responsible for leading the Subsurface Project Management organization, providing strategic leadership for portfolio governance, project management, and execution of the Company’s subsurface development portfolio.

The Director is accountable for the organizational systems, governance, and project management capabilities. The role enables executive decision-making through portfolio reporting, stage gate governance, integrated planning, project controls, capital forecasting, scheduling, portfolio analytics, and project execution performance metrics while ensuring scalable execution across the Company’s subsurface projects.

The Director provides leadership for the Project Management Office (PMO) and Subsurface Project Management organization, overseeing Project Managers embedded within multidisciplinary matrix teams responsible for exploration, development, and reservoir optimization projects. The role is accountable for developing and advancing project management maturity and driving continuous improvement across the Subsurface organization through standardization and governance.

This position requires an accomplished leader capable of building and motivating high-performing teams, leading complex matrix teams, implementing organizational change, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and execution excellence. As a member of the Subsurface leadership team, the Director partners closely with Geoscience, Reservoir Management, Wells, Engineering, Finance, Procurement, EHST, Business Development, and Operations to successfully develop and execute the Company’s subsurface portfolio.

The position provides leadership across a global organization, including supervision of international personnel and collaboration with geographically dispersed teams. The Director must effectively lead across multiple time zones while fostering organizational alignment, employee engagement, and consistent implementation of Company standards, governance, and project management practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning, direction, and goal setting for Subsurface Project Management.

• Serve as a member of the Subsurface leadership team, driving collaboration, organizational maturity, and continuous improvement.

• Lead organizational change initiatives supporting new business processes, governance frameworks, digital tools, and operating models.

• Develop, maintain, and motivate high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and professional development.

• Build and maintain portfolio management systems supporting executive decision-making across the Subsurface organization.

• Ensure accurate portfolio reporting, integrated schedules, capital forecasts, portfolio KPIs, and executive dashboards.

• Provide portfolio analytics, scenario planning, risk assessments, and decision-support tools to executive leadership.

• Monitor portfolio performance against strategic objectives through schedule, budget, risk, and resource metrics.

• Support annual planning, capital planning, budgeting, and long-range portfolio forecasting.

• Continuously improve portfolio governance methodologies, reporting systems, and organizational decision-making tools.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Project Management Office, ensuring the organization maintains a mature, scalable, and effective project management capability.

• Establish the vision, objectives, and long-term roadmap for project management excellence across the Subsurface organization.

• Accountable for the effectiveness of project governance, Stage Gate processes, project controls, scheduling standards, risk management, organizational project management maturity, and project reporting.

• Lead the continuous improvement of project management methodologies, digital tools, systems, and governance processes.

• Ensure standardized project management practices are consistently implemented across all Subsurface projects.

• Champion competency development, training programs, and career development for project management professionals.

• Partner with the PMO Manager to establish annual priorities, performance objectives, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Provide strategic leadership for Subsurface Project Management responsible for execution of exploration, development, drilling, testing, and other subsurface projects.

• Lead, coach, and develop Subsurface Project Managers while promoting consistent execution practices across all projects.

• Ensure the Project Management organization has the people, competencies, systems, and organizational support required to successfully execute the Company’s subsurface portfolio.

• Monitor project performance across the portfolio, ensuring consistency in execution, governance, and reporting.

• Partner with Geoscience, Reservoir Management, Drilling, Engineering, Procurement, EHST, Operations, and other functional organizations to optimize project delivery through matrix leadership

• Sponsor lessons learned, organizational learning, and continuous improvement initiatives across all Subsurface projects.

• Lead complex multidisciplinary matrix organizations through influence, collaboration, and clear governance.

• Build effective partnerships across Geoscience, Reservoir Management, Wells, Engineering, Procurement, EHST, Finance, IT, Operations, Legal, and Business Development to ensure successful execution of the Subsurface portfolio.

• Provide financial leadership for the Subsurface Project Management organization, including planning, forecasting, monitoring, and reporting of departmental budgets, operating expenses, and capital expenditures.

• Partner with Finance and assigned Financial Analysts to support budget development, monthly forecasting, variance analysis, financial reporting, and long-range planning for the Subsurface organization.

• Travel domestically and internationally as required to support project execution, organizational leadership, team development, and business objectives.

Other Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external consultants, contractors, research organizations, and development partners.

• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on accountability, execution excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Collaborate with EHST to ensure projects are executed safely and in compliance with Company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Geoscience, Construction Management, Project Management, Business, or another relevant technical discipline required. Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), Project Management, or a related discipline preferred.

• Formal education or advanced coursework in Project Management, Program Management, Organizational Leadership, or Business Management is highly desirable.

• Experience within the upstream energy business, especially drilling projects is preferred

• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, project development, or capital project delivery.

• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing multidisciplinary technical organizations.

• Proven strategic leadership and business acumen. Ability to lead complex matrix organizations and practice effective organizational change management.

• Executive-level communication and presentation skills.

• Ability to lead and develop high-performing teams and exercise emotional intelligence.

• Ability to influence without direct authority and utilize strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to balance competing priorities.

• Must be able to use and acquire knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in work process, spreadsheets, database, and presentation. Must be proficient in MS Word, Excel, Power Point, effective use of the internet, and other basic computer applications.

• Must be able to read, write, and speak English at a level which will permit the employee to accurately understand and communicate information to perform the job duties safely and efficiently.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to work in an office environment and have the ability to work at a computer and computer monitor and use repetitive motion for long periods of time.

• Must possess at any time a valid driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to ORMAT auto insurance carrier

• The ability to lift 20 lbs. periodically.

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time, including internationally.

• The ability to safely operate 4WD light vehicles on highways and off-road.