Project Manager-Directional Drilling

Position Overview

Directional Drill Project Manager leads and manages multiple drill crews and subcontractor teams while ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality drilling operations. This role requires strong technical expertise in horizontal directional drilling (HDD), proven leadership capabilities, and a track record of successfully delivering projects in challenging or remote environments.

As our Directional Drill Project Manager, you will be at the forefront of innovative drilling operations, driving safety, efficiency, and quality across multiple crews and high-stakes projects. In addition, this role supports business development by reviewing scopes of work, contributing to estimates, and identifying growth opportunities. The HDD Project Manager will report directly to the Operations Manager and serve as a bridge between HDD operations and the Operations Manager.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Technical Expertise

• Apply advanced HDD principles, including trajectory design, drill string and BHA selection, and downhole navigation.
• Prepare proposals tailored to customer RFP's and project specifications.
• Stay current with evolving drilling technologies and implement best practices.
• Conduct quality control assessments to ensure borehole completion meets project specifications and industry standards.
• Support business development by reviewing scopes of work, contributing to estimates, and identifying growth opportunities.

Operational Oversight

• Supervise day-to-day drilling operations, working with crews and customers, ensuring adherence to project plans, specifications, and quality standards.
• Oversee multiple drill crews and subcontractor teams across diverse native ground conditions.
• Troubleshoot operational challenges and implement effective solutions.
• Utilize drilling data to inform operational decisions and optimize drilling performance
• Coordinate project schedules, budgets, and client deliverables, including HDD submittals and as-builts.

Leadership & HSE

• Promote and maintain a zero-incident safety culture across all operations.
• Lead and mentor drill crews and subcontractors to achieve operational and safety excellence.
• Participate in investigations of safety incidents and follow up on corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with company and client HSE policies, SOPs, and regulatory requirements.

People Management & Training

• Act as a mentor and coach to field personnel, fostering team growth and development.
• Identify training needs and support certification or professional development programs.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across teams, clients, and stakeholders.

Operational Support

• Assist in preparing project budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation plans.
• Ensure accurate documentation of operations, reports, and regulatory compliance.
• Support planning and execution of equipment maintenance and operational readiness activities.
• Other duties in support of the CEO or Operations Manager.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Certifications in directional drilling, project management, or safety management.
• Continuing professional development in drilling technologies, project leadership, or industry regulations.
• Current AK CSEL and CDL preferred.
• Demonstrated situational leadership in complex and culturally diverse environments.
• Advanced technical knowledge, including:
  • Directional and extended-reach drilling
  • Drill string and BHA design
  • Geothermal drilling fluids and high-temperature operations
  • Bit selection, hydraulics, and nozzle optimization
  • Downhole challenges (losses, stuck pipe, HTHP conditions, etc.)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and team-building skills.
• Experience working on integrated operations and turnkey drilling projects in multidisciplinary environments.

Contingencies:

Offer contingent upon ability to pass a pre-employment drug test.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work at any time without prior notice.

Alaska Directional is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Alaska Directional grants employment preference first to BBNC shareholders, their spouses or descendants, and second to other Alaska Native Corporation Shareholders in accordance with P.L. 93-638.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of HDD experience in a field supervisory role with proven ability to lead crews and ensure compliance with contract plans, specifications, codes, and jurisdictional requirements.
• Experience operating or supervising drill rigs with pullback capacities from 200,000 lbs to 1,000,000 lbs.
• Ability to manage unionized field crews; IBEW 1547 experience preferred.
• Demonstrated initiative, motivation, and commitment to excellence, with a strong focus on safety and zero-incident culture.
• Proven ability to deliver complex projects in remote or challenging environments while meeting safety, quality, and schedule goals.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; strong communication skills across all organizational levels.
• Experience with contract reporting and digital tools, including LWD, Microsoft Office Suite, and estimating software.