SVP - Projects and Assurance

Since its creation in 2014, Harbour has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse independent oil and gas companies. Today, Harbour is producing between 475,000 and 485,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day with significant production in Norway, the UK, Germany, Argentina and North Africa. Harbour benefits from competitive operating costs and resilient margins, and a broad set of growth options including near-infrastructure opportunities in Norway, unconventional scalable opportunities in Argentina and conventional offshore projects in Mexico and Indonesia.

With low GHG emissions intensity and a leading CO2 storage position in Europe, Harbour remains committed to producing oil and gas safely and responsibly to help meet the world’s energy needs. Harbour is headquartered in London with approximately 5,000 staff and contractors across its operations and offices.

Ours is an inclusive workplace where individuals can bring their whole selves to their job and feel recognised for the value they add. We are committed to creating a genuinely inclusive and supportive working environment to ensure everyone has a positive experience at work.

At Harbour Energy, we aim to recruit, retain and promote our people based on their unique skills, regardless of race, gender or background. We need excellent people to help shape and develop the future of our company. Could this be you?

If so, we want to hear from you.

Purpose of Role

The SVP Projects and Assurance is a member of the Technical Services Leadership Team and leads the Projects function globally, with responsibility for the Company’s project management framework, standards, capability and independent assurance. The role provides senior leadership and challenge to Business Units throughout the development and execution of major and strategic projects, helping ensure capital investments are safely, predictably and effectively delivered.

The SVP Projects and Assurance

Provides global functional leadership for Projects, setting direction, standards and capability across the Company.

Acts as a senior adviser and critical friend to Business Units on major project execution, bringing significant project and construction experience while delivery accountability remains with the relevant Business Unit.

Leads and coordinates independent project assurance across technical, project, financial and commercial matters, providing challenge and recommendations to Senior Leadership and the Board on major project and investment decisions.

Owns senior-level relationships with key project contractors and vendors, supporting effective engagement on major project delivery.

Provides senior project expertise in support of major investments, acquisitions and divestments, and engagement with investors, industry bodies and other key external stakeholders.

Critical Responsibilities

• Ensure activities are undertaken safely and in accordance with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements and the Harbour Energy Business Management System.
• Responsible for the Capital Projects Management System, ensure Project and Assurance standards appropriately address Major Accident Hazard and environmental risk while supporting agile delivery.
• Ensure the Gated Delivery Process aligns with the Corporate Major Accident Prevention Policy.
• Champion strong process and personal safety leadership throughout project development, construction, commissioning and handover to operations.

Ethics and Compliance Responsibilities

Ensure that all activities and behaviours are carried out in accordance with Harbour Energy’s Ethics and Compliance Policies and Procedures, and to complete any compulsory compliance training as required

Areas of Accountability, Responsibility and Competence

Provide global functional leadership for Projects, setting the Company’s project framework, standards and expectations and building project capability.

Provide functional oversight of the major capital project portfolio, supporting capital prioritisation and portfolio optimisation, and providing senior leadership and challenge during opportunity framing, concept selection and front-end development to ensure projects are appropriately defined and positioned for successful execution.

Provide senior advice and independent challenge to Business Units on major project execution, including development, construction, commissioning and handover, while delivery accountability remains with the relevant Business Unit.

Lead and coordinate project assurance across technical, project, financial and commercial matters, including Gate and Value Assurance, and provide recommendations to Senior Leadership and the Board.

Review major project performance, risks and execution readiness, providing independent challenge on delivery, cost, schedule and value.

Provide functional leadership for project development and Decision Analysis, embedding rigorous project development and decision-making principles across the Company and building the capability and expertise to support high-quality, value-based investment decisions.

Build project capability across the Company, including competence, capacity, succession and sharing of best practice.

Own senior relationships with key project contractors and vendors.

Provide project expertise in support of major investments, acquisitions and divestments, and engagement with key external stakeholders.

Critical Skills, Qualifications, Experience, etc.:

Essential

• Senior leadership experience in major oil and gas projects, including development, construction, commissioning and handover to operations.
• Strong track record in complex project execution, with experience of HSE, cost, schedule, project controls, contracting and contractor performance.
• Significant experience of project, Gate and Value Assurance and providing independent challenge on major project and investment decisions.
• Strong commercial judgement and experience of major project contracting, procurement and vendor relationships.
• Strong understanding of Major Accident Hazard risk, process safety and technical integrity in major project delivery.
• Proven ability to build organisational capability and operate effectively with senior executives, the Board and external stakeholders in a global environment.

Preferred

• Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline; Chartered Engineer status or equivalent.
• Experience of major international upstream developments involving complex construction and offshore facilities.
• Experience working with joint venture partners, regulators, host governments and/or national oil companies.
• Desired UK and international offshore visitor qualifications and certification, or ability to obtain them
• Inclusive recruitment is a vital part of our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. Whatever your background, if you feel you need an adjustment during our selection process to suit your needs, please let us know, and we will be happy to help.