Director of Project Operations (Drilling)

Role overview

This is a leadership opening for a Director of Project Operations focused on drilling, based in the United States. The role sits at the center of a fast-scaling geothermal energy business and is responsible for creating and expanding the field operations structure needed to deliver commercial drilling projects safely, efficiently, and repeatedly in complex urban settings.

You will combine hands-on operational leadership with project executive ownership. In practice, that means managing end-to-end delivery while also creating the systems, field capability, and operating playbooks required for national growth. The position calls for someone who can set performance measures, define staffing and deployment models, and build scalable workflows from the ground up.

Close partnership with engineering, product, and equipment teams will be essential as you help deploy advanced subsurface technologies that change how geothermal systems are constructed. This is a high-impact role where quality of execution, safety, and operational efficiency directly affect the adoption of clean energy solutions and the long-term operating culture of the organization.

Key accountabilities

• Grow and lead a best-in-class drilling and field operations team capable of delivering geothermal construction work safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.
• Create, roll out, and improve operating systems, field playbooks, and workflows for procurement, mobilization, upkeep, and deployment of equipment.
• Take ownership of projects from start to finish, including P&L, budget discipline, permitting, commissioning, and delivery to engineering requirements.
• Set and maintain safety expectations, legal/regulatory compliance, and operational standards across all field work.
• Build KPI structures, reporting tools, and performance management frameworks that support scale and operational excellence.
• Work with engineering teams to launch and refine proprietary drilling tools and subsurface solutions.
• Coordinate across clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders to keep projects moving smoothly and ensure a strong customer experience.
• Develop communication, scheduling, and productivity systems that support distributed field teams in changing environments.
• Review field data and operational insights to uncover inefficiencies and drive continuous improvement in both execution and technology.
• Contribute to strategic planning by identifying resourcing requirements, investment needs, and long-term scaling priorities.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Economics, or a related discipline; an advanced degree is considered an advantage.
• At least 10 years of experience leading drilling operations, field execution teams, or large construction/energy programs.
• Demonstrated ownership of project delivery with direct P&L responsibility and client-facing accountability.
• Proven ability to build operational systems, procedures, and repeatable field execution frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of drilling operations, field logistics, safety practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Solid project management capability with experience handling complex, multi-party initiatives in fast-moving settings.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to turn technical or operational complexity into clear, practical insights for varied audiences.
• Experience working closely with engineering teams on technology deployment and product iteration.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving ability, supported by a data-driven approach to improving operations.
• Willingness to travel extensively: about 25% in steady state, and up to 50%+ during ramp-up and project execution.
• A leadership approach built on accountability, collaboration, and the development of high-performing field teams.

Benefits

• Competitive annual compensation in the range of $175,000 to $210,000.
• The chance to build a foundational field operations organization from the ground up.
• Direct influence on the development of next-generation geothermal energy systems.
• A high-visibility leadership position with ownership of major commercial drilling projects.
• Exposure to advanced clean energy and subsurface technology innovation.
• A mission-driven, collaborative environment centered on sustainability and engineering excellence.
• Frequent travel across varied project locations and operating conditions.
• A strong culture focused on ownership, learning, and continuous improvement.

Additional information

This posting is shared on behalf of a partner company. Applications and subsequent hiring steps are handled by the partner organization. The application review process uses AI-assisted matching to help identify candidates whose backgrounds align with the core requirements, after which a shortlist is shared with the hiring company. Final interviews, assessments, and hiring decisions are managed by the employer’s internal team.

By submitting an application, candidates acknowledge that personal data may be processed to assess candidacy and shared with the hiring employer under applicable data protection rules, including GDPR where relevant. The process may also use AI tools to support application review, resume analysis, and response assessment, but final decisions remain human-led. Applicants may exercise applicable privacy rights, including access, correction, deletion, and objection, by contacting the organization.