Location: UK - Central London

Job Status: Permanent Position (Travel)

Interview Date:  ASAP

Start Date: ASAP

Open To: EU Citizens or Holders of UK Work Permits

Job Overview: A successful UK Exploration & Production company operating in the UK for 10 years, is seeking an IT Project/Business Manager to drive the development and management of IT improvement projects that will support their expanding business across the London and Aberdeen offices.

The UK E&P operation has experienced consistent growth, derived largely from a successful exploration driven strategy resulting in new Operated field developments that will result in the doubling of the UK staff force (currently circa 120) over the next two to three years. This fast pace of growth will impact all functions across the business value chain, the IT function being one of the most significant for delivering success.

With a strong background in IT project management and an understanding of the oil and gas industry, you will liaise closely with senior management across the various business functions [Exploration, Development, Production], understanding their current and future business needs, and develop and implement an IT strategy that will meet their requirements and expectations. This may consists of multiple, concurrent projects with particular emphasis on providing world class IT systems [hardware, software, communications] and you will drive and manage the delivery of these projects in the London and Aberdeen offices.

Working within a small IT organisation of 7 people, you will promote and manage the development of the IT infrastructure and systems ensuring that the ambitious growth of the business can be facilitated.

Responsibilities: Reporting to the Finance and IS Manager, you will be expected to:

• Liaise with senior managers and key staff to determine IS business requirements as part of the process to formulate the company IS Strategy.
• Develop and propose fully costed proposals for IT related projects that are aligned to the current and future requirements of the business.
• Manage IS projects using industry recognised methodology through all phases from project initiation and resourcing through to the final deliverables.
• Provide regular project status reports to senior management, project sponsors, key stakeholders and to the Group.
• Liaise with Operational IT Support function to ensure efficient handover of completed projects into the production environment.
• Jointly participate in the future resourcing and development of the IT function to meet future requirements.
• Develop and promote project management skills and methodology within the company IT function.
• Encourage and facilitate collaborative working across multiple sites and particularly provide the infrastructure to establish a strong onshore and offshore production & operations function.
• Keep abreast of industry IT technologies and developments, work practices and trends across the E&P value chain that could support expanding business needs.
• Be proactive in engaging more junior members of staff in transferring knowledge and competencies.

This is an exciting and challenging position for a candidate who has experience in leading critical IT projects. This role will underpin the transition from a small one site geographic location, mainly accommodating existing subsurface G&G / Reservoir Engineering software and data management, to a multi location, resilient and expandable IT infrastructure that is capable of delivering future business needs. The role offers a great deal of autonomy and scope for technical and managerial development, helping to shape the future success of an expanding and dynamic energy company.

Preferences: The successful candidate will have or be:

• Degree in IT or closely related discipline essential.
• Proven experience within the Oil and Gas industry in a project management leadership capacity essential.
• Understanding of the various phases of the E&P life cycle highly advantageous.
• A good understanding of project management methodologies essential. A recognised qualification (Prince2/APM) highly desirable.
• Experience of working within a dynamic organisation within which IT system requirements are changing due to rapid expansion essential.
• Strong commercial acumen with a proactive approach to business analysis and problem solving.
• Experience of delivering IT projects within the Microsoft environment.
• Experience of developing and delivering collaborative systems within a multi site environment (onshore/offshore) highly advantageous.
• The ability to demonstrate excellent leadership, line management and interpersonal/interdepartmental relationship skills.
• An assertive individual with the ability to make and support recommendations and the drive to progress and manage the implementation of IT projects effectively essential.
• The ability to work independently and also as part of multi-disciplined teams is essential.
• Confident and self reliant - the ability to resolve technical queries effectively.
• Efficient time management, highly organised with excellent co ordination skills essential
• Self-motivated, able to act independently with minimum supervision while remaining a strong team player.
• Maintain high level of customer satisfaction.
• Adaptable and enthusiastic, and highly flexible.
• Ability to support and mentor other staff and promote good collaborative work practices across the IT operations.
• Ability to travel largely to Aberdeen essential.

Package: A competitive package offering a Base Salary of circa £60K-£80K, plus company benefits including medical insurance, defined pension contribution, 9 day fortnight and other benefits. There may be some flexibility on package for a high calibre candidate.