Senior Operations Manager

The Senior Operations Manager is responsible for planning, building, and leading the operational readiness capability for BKV’s new-build power generation fleet, with an initial focus on the operations and maintenance needs of large-scale reciprocating engine across multiple plants. This role ensures that operations teams, systems, infrastructure, and processes are fully established and staffed well in advance of commissioning, enabling safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations from day one.

Reporting to the VP Power Operations, this role serves as the primary owner of the operations readiness workstream — bridging Project Development, Project Execution, Engineering, Commissioning, and long-term Operations to ensure continuity of assumptions, seamless handover, and institutionalization of best practices. The Senior Operations Manager brings deep, hands-on experience with large reciprocating engines (e.g., INNIO Jenbacher, Caterpillar/MWM, Wärtsilä) and translates that expertise into staffing plans, training programs, maintenance strategies, spare parts inventories, and operational budgets that are grounded in real-world plant operations.

Demonstrates integrity, accountability and transparency; upholds BKV standards, values and culture.

Responsibilities

Operations Readiness Planning & Execution

• Lead, develop and own the integrated operations readiness plan for BKV’s new-build power generation fleet, defining milestones, deliverables, dependencies, and resource requirements from development through commercial operation.
• Establish operational readiness criteria and checklists aligned with commissioning, turnover, and commercial operation date (COD) milestones; ensure all prerequisites are met ahead of each project phase gate.
• Coordinate with Project Execution, Engineering, and EPC/OEM partners to align construction, commissioning, and turnover schedules with operations staffing, training, and infrastructure timelines.
• Develop and maintain the Safety Management System (SMS) for Power Operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory, environmental, and corporate safety requirements.

Staffing, Organization Design & Training

• Define the target operating model and organizational structure for Power Operations, including staffing levels, skill sets, shift structures, and reporting relationships for each project site.
• Develop staffing plans and hiring timelines to ensure operations personnel are recruited, onboarded, and fully trained well in advance of commissioning — including plant managers, operators, mechanics, and support staff.
• Design and implement comprehensive training programs covering engine operations, safety, maintenance procedures, control systems, and emergency response; coordinate specialized OEM training (e.g., INNIO engine certification) and EPC-provided training programs (e.g., Gruppo training as outlined in contractual annexes).
• Identify required skill sets, certifications, and competency standards; develop assessment frameworks to verify readiness prior to commissioning.
• Mentor and coach operations team members as they onboard; foster a culture of operational discipline, continuous improvement, and safety leadership.

Maintenance Strategy, Spares & Infrastructure

• Develop preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance strategies and schedules for reciprocating engine fleets and balance-of-plant equipment, incorporating OEM recommendations and industry best practices.
• Define spare parts inventories, consumables stocking strategies, and long-lead procurement requirements; coordinate with Procurement to ensure timely availability of critical materials.
• Oversee establishment of maintenance infrastructure including warehouse facilities, shop tooling, mobile equipment, and specialized diagnostic/testing equipment required for engine operations.
• Set up and populate the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS); establish work order workflows, asset hierarchies, PM schedules, and reporting/KPI frameworks.

Cross-functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Coordination

• Partner closely with the VP Power Operations, JV Liaison, Engineering, Project Execution, Project Development, Contracts & Procurement, and Finance to ensure operations readiness activities are integrated into the broader project and operations lifecycle.
• Coordinate with EPC contractors, OEMs, and long-term service agreement (LTSA) providers on commissioning support, warranty interfaces, and operational transition planning.
• Support the Chief of Staff and Power BU leadership with operations readiness status updates, risk reporting, and milestone tracking for executive reviews and stage-gate governance.
• Engage with JV partners and Operations/Asset Management on handover protocols, operational procedures, and ongoing performance management frameworks.

Required Skills

• Deep, hands-on technical expertise with large reciprocating gas engines (e.g., INNIO Jenbacher, Caterpillar/MWM, Wärtsilä, or equivalent), including operations, maintenance, troubleshooting, reliability improvement, and performance optimization. Operational knowledge and experience with combustion turbine technologies in both combined-cycle and simple-cycle configurations is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of power plant operations, including safety management systems, environmental compliance, shift operations, and maintenance management.
• Demonstrated experience building operations readiness programs, staffing plans, and training curricula for new-build or greenfield power generation facilities.
• Proficiency with CMMS platforms and ability to establish asset management frameworks from the ground up.
• Experience developing operating and maintenance budgets with accurate cost assumptions grounded in real-world engine operations.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent readiness workstreams across a portfolio of projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; ability to interface effectively with executive leadership, EPC contractors, OEMs, and field operations personnel.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with various internal teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Demonstrated cognitive and problem-solving skills.
• Growth mindset with a demonstrated ability to innovate, embrace change and have grit.

Education & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education, technical training, and progressively responsible experience in power generation, operations, maintenance, or a related industrial field.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in power generation operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading operations readiness, commissioning support, or plant startup activities for new-build power generation or industrial facilities.

Preferred

• Professional certifications preferred.
• Significant hands-on experience operating and maintaining large reciprocating gas engines is preferred.
• Experience supporting data center power solutions, distributed generation, or microgrid operations preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Location

• This position may be based in the Temple, Texas area.
• Significant travel (up to 40%) required to project sites in TX, OEM/EPC facilities, and operational locations, particularly during commissioning phases.

Working Conditions

• Combination of indoor office and outdoor/industrial power generation environments.
• Extended hours may be required depending on business needs, particularly during commissioning and startup activities.
• May occasionally be exposed to distracting noise while sharing office space with others.
• May be exposed to engine noise, industrial equipment, and construction environments during site visits.
• Must adhere to safety protocols and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when on BKV worksites.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to operate a computer, telephone, and other office equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to navigate active power generation and construction sites.
• Ability to use required personal protective equipment.