Upstream Operations Manager - Field Development

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Executive health benefits

Lucrative retirement plan

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Upstream Operations Manager for East London, Eastern Cape. The role oversees field development, production operations, and asset integrity to ensure safe, efficient operations and cost control.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, geoscientists, and field operators, driving performance, safety, and optimization across exploration support, well operations, and facilities management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering required.
• 10+ years in upstream Oil & Gas operations with at least 5 years in management.
• Strong leadership, HSE knowledge, and budget experience.
• Proven track record in field development and production operations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day upstream operations ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
• Develop strategic plans for field development and production optimization.
• Manage budgets, resources, and personnel to meet targets.
• Lead engineers, geoscientists, and operators to high performance.
• Collaborate with exploration, drilling, and subsurface teams.
• Monitor production, identify improvements, maximize recovery.
• Oversee facilities, equipment, and infrastructure integrity.
• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Represent the company with regulators, contractors, and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership experience

Team management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree or MBA advantageous

Tools

Reservoir engineering principles

Drilling operations

Production facilities

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major operator in the Oil & Gas industry, is seeking a results-oriented and experienced Upstream Operations Manager to oversee field development and production operations based out of East London, Eastern Cape. This leadership role is responsible for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective management of all upstream activities, including exploration support, well operations, facility management, and production optimization. The ideal candidate will possess extensive leadership experience in upstream oil and gas operations, a strong understanding of reservoir management, and a commitment to driving operational excellence and safety performance. This is a senior position offering significant responsibility and the opportunity to shape the future of our client's assets in the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all day-to-day upstream operations, ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and operational standards.
• Develop and implement strategic plans for field development, production optimization, and asset integrity.
• Manage budgets, resources, and personnel effectively to achieve operational targets.
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers, geoscientists, and field operators, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Collaborate with exploration, drilling, and subsurface teams to ensure seamless project execution from discovery to production.
• Monitor production performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement best practices to maximize recovery.
• Ensure effective management of facilities, equipment, and infrastructure to maintain operational uptime and integrity.
• Oversee incident investigation and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Represent the company in dealings with regulatory bodies, contractors, and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline. A Master's degree or MBA is advantageous.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in upstream Oil & Gas operations, with at least 5 years in a management or supervisory role.
• Proven track record in managing complex field development and production operations.
• Strong understanding of reservoir engineering principles, drilling operations, and production facilities.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop staff.
• Excellent strategic planning, decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities.
• In-depth knowledge of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations and best practices.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing operational budgets.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Benefits

• This senior role comes with a highly competitive salary, significant performance-based bonuses, comprehensive executive health benefits, and a lucrative retirement plan.
• Opportunities for continued professional development and career advancement within the global organization are extensive.
• The position is based in East London, offering a stable and impactful career within the vital Oil & Gas sector.
• You will lead a critical operational function and contribute to the company's success.