Senior Operations & Production Manager

XP; El Tigre; On-site; VES 79,156,000 - 131,926,000; Full time

Job summary

XP Group in Venezuela is hiring a Senior Operations & Production Manager to lead safe, reliable and profitable upstream production at onshore assets in El Tigre. This hands-on leadership role requires deep operational expertise and strategic thinking to maximize asset value in complex production environments.

You will report to the Country Manager and collaborate with Production Technology, Reservoir and Subsurface teams to optimize artificial lift, maintenance, and asset integrity while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Petroleum/Mechanical/Chemical).
• Minimum 15 years of progressive upstream oil and gas experience.
• At least 5 years in a senior operational leadership role.
• Experience with heavy-oil assets and production optimization.
• Strong understanding of surface facilities, safety and contractor management.

Responsibilities

• Own field operations and production delivery across wells and facilities.
• Drive production optimization and asset performance improvements.
• Lead heavy-oil operations, artificial lift, and flow assurance.
• Provide operational leadership for drilling, workovers and interventions.
• Oversee facilities, maintenance, and reliability programs.
• Champion asset integrity and safety culture.
• Own production planning, budgets, and cost management.
• Build and lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Manage stakeholder relationships with partners, regulators, and communities.

Skills

Upstream Operations

Asset Integrity

Leadership

Production Optimization

Safety & HSSE

Education

Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering

Job description

Who we are

Founded in 2005, XP Group is an international upstream energy company focused on field development, mature asset rehabilitation, and production enhancement. Operating across multiple countries, we drive sustainable production growth through operational excellence, technology, and responsible investment.

Following the signing of a long-term contract in the Orinoco Belt, one of the world's largest hydrocarbon provinces, we are building our organization in Venezuela and are seeking talented professionals to join this exciting growth opportunity.

We are currently looking for a Senior Operations & Production Manager to join our team in El Tigre, Venezuela.

As the Senior Operations & Production Manager, you will be accountable for the safe, reliable, and profitable operation of upstream assets, driving production performance, while building a culture of operational excellence, safety and continuous improvement.

This role is ideal for a hands-on upstream leader who combines strong operational expertise with strategic thinking and a passion for maximizing asset value in complex production environments.

You will report directly to Country Manager and functionally to Group COO.

Main responsibilities:

• Own field operations and production delivery by leading the day-to-day operation of wells, production facilities, gathering systems, pipelines, and supporting infrastructure to achieve production targets safely and efficiently.


• Drive production optimization and asset performance, identifying bottlenecks, reducing production losses and implementing high-impact improvement initiatives in close collaboration with Production Technology, Reservoir and Subsurface teams. Complete a baseline review of production performance, operating risks, facility constraints, maintenance backlog and organizational capability.


• Lead heavy-oil operations, optimizing artificial lift performance, flow assurance, emulsion treatment, water handling, sand management, blending strategies, and facility performance across the production system.


• Provide operational leadership for drilling, workovers and well interventions, ensuring readiness, safe execution, effective SIMOPS management and rapid return-to-production performance.


• Oversee facilities, maintenance and reliability programs, establishing priorities for production facilities, pipelines, flowlines, tanks, utilities.


• Champion asset integrity and operational reliability, proactively managing equipment performance.


• Set the standard for HSSE and process safety, promoting visible leadership in safety culture.


• Own production planning and operational budgeting, developing annual operating plans, production forecasts, activity schedules and cost management strategies.


• Build and lead high-performing teams, developing organizational capability and a culture of accountability and performance.


• Manage key stakeholder relationships, working effectively with partners, regulators, contractors, service providers and local communities to support operational success.

Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical or related Engineering discipline. A relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.


• Minimum 15 years of progressive upstream oil and gas experience, including substantial responsibility for onshore production operations and at least 5 years in a senior operational leadership role.


• Demonstrated experience with heavy-oil assets and practical knowledge of production optimization, artificial lift, workovers, well interventions, flow assurance and mature-field challenges.


• Strong understanding of surface production facilities, maintenance, asset integrity, process safety and contractor management.


• Experience preparing operating plans, production forecasts, budgets and investment recommendations, and managing performance against targets.


• Track record leading multidisciplinary and field-based teams in a demanding operating environment.


• Strong analytical judgment, disciplined execution, clear communication and credibility with technical specialists, partners and contractors.


• High integrity, cost awareness, accountability and commitment to safe, environmentally responsible operations.


• Availability for frequent field travel and emergency/on-call support when required.


• Native or fluent Spanish and good professional English, written and spoken, for Group reporting and technical coordination.

What We Offer

• Be part of an exciting growth journey in one of the world's most important hydrocarbon regions.


• A dynamic and challenging position within an international energy company focused on reducing the environmental footprint of oil and gas operations.


• Gain exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making.


• Competitive compensation, professional development opportunities and a chance to influence the future of our operations.


• A collaborative culture that values accountability, innovation, teamwork, and initiative.