General Manager — Drilling Division (COO Level)

General Manager — Drilling Division (COO Level)

The Golden Compass, an independent international Consulting, Drilling, and Services practice, seeks a strategic and operationally-focused General Manager for our Drilling Division at the COO level. This senior role is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable execution of all drilling activities and supporting operations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The successful candidate will oversee day-to-day drilling operations, project planning and execution, maintenance, HSE, and logistics. They will lead multiple operational divisions, manage direct reports, set operational standards and budgets, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with regulatory and client requirements.

• Operational Leadership: Provide strategic and tactical leadership for drilling operations, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to specification. Develop, implement, and enforce SOPs, best practices, and performance metrics. Coordinate resource allocation and lead operational decision-making.
• Project Planning & Execution: Oversee drilling project planning, scheduling, cost estimation, risk assessment, and execution. Monitor project progress and implement corrective actions. Ensure effective mobilization and demobilization of drilling operations.
• Health, Safety & Environment (HSE): Own HSE performance for the division; lead incident prevention, investigation, and corrective action processes. Ensure compliance with company, client, and regulatory HSE requirements. Promote a safety-first culture through training, audits, toolbox talks, and HSE KPI tracking.
• Maintenance & Reliability: Oversee maintenance strategies for drilling rigs and critical equipment. Drive reliability and lifecycle management initiatives to reduce equipment failures and costs.
• Logistics & Supply Chain: Ensure timely and cost-effective logistics, warehousing, and materials management to support operations. Oversee contracting, procurement coordination, and vendor performance for operational needs.
• Financial & Commercial Management: Develop and manage operational budgets, forecasts, and cost controls. Drive operational efficiency while maintaining quality, safety, and profitability. Support commercial activities including client meetings, proposals, and contract performance.
• Compliance & Continuous Improvement: Ensure regulatory, contractual, and quality compliance across all operations. Lead continuous improvement initiatives and operational performance measurement. Prepare and present operational reports, metrics, and recommendations to the executive team.

Qualifications & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Petroleum, Mechanical, Mining, or related discipline) or Operations Management. 12+ years of experience in drilling, mining, oil & gas, or resource-sector operations, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior operational leadership role. Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and multiple drilling projects. Strong background in HSE leadership, maintenance strategy, logistics, and contractor management. HSE certifications (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH or equivalent) preferred.