Position Overview
The Operation Readiness & Assurance (ORA) / Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring that the project, asset, and organization are fully prepared to assume safe, efficient, and sustainable operations from day one. This role oversees the development, integration, and execution of OR&A processes across engineering, construction, commissioning, and operations teams. The ORA Manager provides leadership, governance, and assurance that all operational, technical, procedural, and organizational requirements are met prior to startup and handover.
Key Responsibilities
Operations Readiness & Assurance
• Lead the overall OR&A strategy, ensuring readiness requirements are embedded from project initiation through to handover.
• Develop and manage the Operations Readiness Plan, Readiness Assurance Framework, and supporting systems and tools.
• Ensure all operations deliverables (procedures, training, spares, maintenance strategies, documentation, CMMS builds, RAM/HAZOP inputs) are prepared and delivered in accordance with project milestones.
• Facilitate OR&A reviews, readiness workshops, risk assessments, and gap-closure actions.
• Verify compliance with operability, maintainability, reliability, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide assurance reports and readiness status to project leadership, asset owners, and key stakeholders.
Integration & Interface Management
• Work closely with Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, HSE, Maintenance, and Operations teams to ensure alignment of operational requirements.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, classification societies, and regulatory bodies to support operational setup and compliance.
• Ensure seamless information transfer and readiness across all project phases.
Operations Preparation
• Oversee development of operational procedures, start-up plans, emergency response plans, and asset management systems.
• Ensure operations personnel are trained, competent, onboarded, and integrated into the project team early.
• Manage the readiness of supporting functions such as logistics, supply chain, maintenance support, and technical documentation.
• Ensure availability of spares, tools, equipment, consumables, and operations infrastructure.
Performance Assurance & Handover
• Ensure that commissioning-to-operations handover is systematic and aligned with project requirements.
• Manage operations acceptance criteria and ensure all requirements are fulfilled prior to startup.
• Provide assurance that the asset is safe to operate and capable of meeting design intent performance.
• Oversee transition into steady-state operations and support early operational troubleshooting.
Requirements
Education & Certifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or relevant technical discipline.
• Advanced certification in operations, maintenance, asset management, or OR&A (advantageous).
• Safety, leadership, or project management certifications preferred.
Experience
• 12–20+ years of Oil & Gas, FPSO, LNG, or complex energy project experience.
• Strong background in operations, commissioning, maintenance, or asset management.
• Proven experience in OR&A, operations management, or readiness/assurance leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success in cross-discipline team leadership and stakeholder management.
Skills & Attributes
• Strong understanding of operational risk, safety management systems, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision?making skills.
• Ability to drive cross-functional alignment and manage complex readiness programs.
• Proficient in readiness tools, CMMS systems (SAP, Maximo, etc.), and project documentation systems.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret technical and operational data.