In-country Operation Leader

Job Advert: SPS In-Country Operations Leader

Location: Paramaribo, Suriname
Project: GranMorgu – Block 58, Suriname
Start Date: 4 January 2027
Working Arrangement: Resident position, with potential offshore assignments
Industry: Oil & Gas / Deepwater Subsea Projects

About the Opportunity

Based in Paramaribo, the successful candidate will lead the coordination of Subsea Production Systems (SPS) equipment, personnel, contractors and associated logistics, supporting offshore drilling, installation, testing and commissioning activities.
This is a senior role requiring extensive subsea project experience, strong contractor management capabilities and the ability to coordinate complex operations across multiple project disciplines in a demanding, multicultural environment.
The Role
Reporting to the SPS Package Manager, the SPS In-Country Operations Leader will act as the focal point for SPS operational activities within Suriname, ensuring effective coordination between the project team, SPS contractors, drilling and completion teams, subsea installation contractors and field operations.
You will be responsible for ensuring that SPS equipment and services are ready for offshore execution, contractor performance meets project requirements, operational priorities are effectively managed, and all activities comply with applicable HSSE standards and project procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Planning and Coordination

• Lead the planning and coordination of SPS personnel, equipment and logistics required to support drilling rigs, subsea installation vessels and associated offshore campaigns.
• Coordinate the readiness of subsea trees, wellhead systems, tooling, flying leads, subsea distribution systems, manifolds and other SPS equipment.
• Manage the coordination of onshore and offshore activities, including equipment preservation, testing, repairs, installation and commissioning preparation.
• Coordinate call-off orders under the relevant Life of Field (LOF) contract to support project execution.
• Interface closely with Drilling & Completion, SURF, Field Operations and other project packages to ensure alignment of schedules, resources and operational requirements.

Contractor and Performance Management

• Monitor and manage the performance of SPS contractors and subcontractors against project schedules, technical specifications, Engineering, Procurement, Fabrication and Supply (EPFS) requirements, and Life of Field service obligations.
• Establish effective working relationships with contractor representatives and maintain a strong operational presence at contractor facilities, onshore bases and offshore vessels as required.
• Lead the resolution of operational issues, coordinate competing priorities and ensure potential delays or challenges are identified and addressed promptly.
• Monitor LOF service budgets, expenditure and consumption, providing accurate reporting on performance, costs and deviations from planned objectives.
• Participate in and lead weekly and monthly operational meetings with contractors and relevant project stakeholders.

Technical Assurance and Commissioning Support

• Identify and coordinate the resolution of technical and quality-related issues affecting SPS onshore and offshore operations.
• Work closely with the SPS Technical Manager, engineering specialists and other project disciplines to resolve technical challenges.
• Review and, where appropriate, approve SPS specifications, requisitions, technical documentation, method statements, task plans and operational procedures.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of operational management tools, including Permit to Work (PTW), Risk Assessment (RA), SIMOPS and relevant incident reporting and lessons-learned systems.
• Support the preparation and coordination of pre-commissioning, commissioning and start-up activities.
• Ensure operational documentation, testing and preservation requirements are appropriately managed throughout project execution.

H3SE, Leadership and Compliance

• Demonstrate exemplary leadership in Health, Safety, Security and Environment (H3SE), ensuring compliance with company policies, statutory requirements and project standards.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure personnel under your responsibility are appropriately supervised, trained and familiar with site regulations, safe systems of work and emergency procedures.
• Uphold company ethics, the Code of Conduct and anti-corruption requirements in all project and contractor interactions.
• Provide effective leadership to SPS onshore base personnel and offshore company representatives.
• Maintain clear communication across the project organisation, encouraging collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Candidate Requirements
We are looking for a proven subsea operations professional with substantial experience in major offshore oil and gas projects.

Essential qualifications and experience:

• Degree in a relevant technical discipline.
• Extensive professional experience, including prior work within project environments.
• Significant experience in subsea production systems and offshore construction, installation, testing or commissioning within the oil and gas industry.
• Demonstrable experience coordinating offshore operations and managing contractors and subcontractors.
• Experience with SPS equipment, subsea installation activities and onshore/offshore operational interfaces.
• Strong knowledge of subsea design principles, operational codes and standards, and relevant E&P general specifications.
• Experience with marine operations involving Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).
• Knowledge of offshore installation supervision and onshore/offshore lifting operations.
• Proven ability to represent a company at senior level, manage competing priorities and make sound decisions in a high-responsibility environment.
• Fluent English; French language skills would be an advantage.

Desirable experience:

• Familiarity with OPERCOM methodology and the ICAPS database, or equivalent pre-commissioning and commissioning systems.
• Experience working in complex, multidisciplinary and multicultural project environments.

Mandatory Training and CertificationsCandidates must hold, or be able to maintain for the duration of the assignment, the required offshore medical and survival certifications applicable to the project, including:

• Valid offshore medical certificate.
• Valid offshore survival certification, such as BOSIET and applicable MIST requirements, or the relevant CBSP/HUET equivalents, in accordance with project requirements.

People are our business worldwide
 
Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.