Operations Geology Supervisor / Manager

Operations Geology Supervisor / Manager

The Operations Geology Supervisor / Manager provides technical and supervisory leadership for the operations geology function supporting a multi-rig development and exploration drilling program. This role combines hands-on operations geology expertise Geosteering, well placement, and wellsite/office coordination with people leadership, budget oversight, and cross-discipline planning for the assigned asset team. The Supervisor mentors and directs operations geologists, partners with the Drilling Department to ensure technically sound and safe execution of drilling programs, and represents operations geology in multi-disciplinary asset team planning and management reviews.

Essential Responsibilities/Duties

• Supervise and direct the operations geology group assigned to the region, including workload allocation, technical guidance, and day-to-day oversight of wellsite and office-based operations geologists
• Participate in the performance review process and personnel career development for direct reports; make recommendations on hiring, promotions, or status changes of SM employees and contractors
• Lead and participate in multi-disciplinary asset team meetings, driving geotechnical projects and providing discipline-specific input and management of the assigned regional development program
• Manage Ops Geo budget, including mud logging projects and Geo-steering contractors
• Provide geologic support and oversight for the multi-rig development and exploration drilling program at the asset team level, including pre-drill assessments and integrated drill plans prior to spud
• Ensure effective communication with drilling personnel to target intervals dictated by the asset team, providing guidance and geological support as necessary
• Oversee monitoring of active drilling progress, including evaluation of directional surveys and geologic data and directional changes in the lateral to maintain geological target zones on long-reach horizontal wells
• Coordinate and integrate wellsite and office-related geologic functions across the team; interface and establish best practices with third-party 24-hour steering vendors, and track progress over time.
• Ensure technical work from the team is sound and communicated effectively to management, with a specific focus on value impact
• Support the asset team in the reserves booking process and discussions, completion recommendations, management reviews, budget planning, and special mapping/science projects
• Evaluate alternative development options in collaboration with reservoir characterization, drilling, completions, production, facilities, and land teams
• Oversee post-drill summary reports and lookback evaluations of lateral placement; support regulatory efforts as needed
• Monitor industry operational activity and remain current on the latest proven technologies and methods for the geoscience discipline; make recommendations accordingly
• Support evaluation of asset bolt-on opportunities and coordinate with the Resource Expansion and Business Development teams as needed
• Identify, evaluate, and implement changes that increase operational efficiencies across the operations geology function, and track the progress of those efforts
• Conduct business with the highest ethical standards; demonstrate decision-making that ensures the safety of all persons associated with SM facilities
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proven experience leading, mentoring, and developing a team of geoscience professionals, including listening to others and motivating teams through unique development/operational challenges in unconventional exploitation
• Strong knowledge of geological principles, drilling and engineering procedures/terminology, and relevant analog theories, with the ability to prioritize technical outputs to address challenges for the assigned region
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience geosteering horizontal wells with various geosteering software StarSteer preferred
• High level of experience and technical understanding of key geoscience software and how outputs are generated; experience with Petrel/GGX/Kingdom required, ArcPro, Spotfire and Claude/AI a plus
• Ability to analyze log data, correlations, and control points, and generate/oversee geologic maps
• Highly skilled in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills, including presenting to upper management
• Analytical problem-solving and decision-making skills; error-free, detailed work
• Self-motivated, organized, and results-driven, with effective and efficient time management skills
• Team player with willingness and ability to integrate/collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams toward common goals
• Familiarity with the Midland, Delaware and Mavrick Basins, Austin Chalk experience is a plus

Experience/Education

Education: B.S. and M.S. degree in Geology, Geophysics, or Geoscience is required.

Experience: Minimum of 12+ years of combined wellsite and/or office-based operations geology experience, including demonstrated supervisory, team lead, or mentorship experience.

Other:

• This is a hybrid work schedule, offering a mix of in office and work from home flexibility; office weeks based in Denver or Midland, with semi-regular travel to the other location focused on team collaboration and effectiveness
• Anticipate sporadic round-the-clock communication and problem-solving with the asset and drilling teams
• Anticipate "outside of office" hours to perform necessary duties while drilling laterals, dependent on rig activity and needed team support

SM Energy offers competitive compensation and benefits programs which include, but are not limited to, variable pay, health care coverage, retirement plan, protection coverage, time off and leave programs, training and development opportunities and a range of allowances connected to specific work situations. Details are available at Careers :: SM Energy Company (SM) (sm-energy.com).

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.