General Manager - Drilling Division (COO Level)

About the Company

We are recognized as one of the top three providers in Saudi Arabia's drilling and geological service sector. Currently, our operational assets include 21 rigs, and we are embarking on an aggressive growth strategy aimed at expanding our rig fleet to more than 60 within the next five years. Our expansion plan also includes the adoption of digital rig performance technologies, establishing an in-house training academy, and preparing the company for an initial public offering.

Role Overview

As the General Manager at the COO level for the Drilling Division, you will be the chief operations officer responsible for day-to-day drilling operations, project management, maintenance, health, safety, environment (HSE), and supply chain management across five functional divisions. Your main responsibilities will involve ensuring safe, efficient, and profitable operations while spearheading the rapid expansion of the rig fleet throughout Saudi Arabia.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead operational execution across all drilling rigs, ensuring projects stay on schedule, within financial plans, and meet technical standards.
• Deploy and oversee digital analytics tools to monitor and enhance rig performance.
• Champion a safety-first culture, enforce strict adherence to regulatory requirements, and lead initiatives aimed at incident prevention and zero-harm outcomes.
• Manage preventive maintenance protocols and spare parts management to reduce downtime and extend rig lifecycle efficiency.
• Coordinate logistics activities including site mobilization/demobilization, procurement, inventory management, and supervision of vendor contracts.
• Oversee the financial health of the drilling division by managing profit and loss statements, setting budgets, driving cost efficiencies, and supporting client commercial interactions.
• Develop and grow multidisciplinary teams at field sites and headquarters, establishing comprehensive training and competency building programs.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 12 years' experience in drilling, oil & gas, or mining/resource sector operations, including more than 5 years in senior leadership roles such as General Manager, Operations Director, or COO.
• Proven ability to simultaneously manage multiple rig projects and diverse operational teams effectively.
• Experience with P&L responsibility, budgeting, and cost control in complex operations.
• Successful track record in transforming HSE outcomes and improving fleet reliability.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Petroleum, Mechanical, Mining) or Operations Management is required; an MBA or relevant Master’s degree is preferred.
• Strong technical knowledge of rig systems, logistics, and maintenance methodologies.
• Leadership style focused on pragmatic, results-oriented management with readiness for frequent onsite travel.
• Desirable certifications include HSE qualifications (NEBOSH or IOSH) and project management or process improvement certifications such as PMP or Six Sigma.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to lead a critical division during a significant scaling phase from 20 to over 60 rigs.
• Strategic role reporting directly to executive leadership during a pivotal growth and IPO preparation period.
• Drive innovative initiatives in digital rig performance systems and implement advanced operational standards.