Chief Executive Officer

Ute Energy is looking for a skilled Chief Executive Officer to lead Ute Energy Exploration & Marketing

Summary:

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ute Energy Exploration and Marketing (UEEM) is responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, financial performance management, and organizational direction to ensure the company achieves its mission and long-term growth goals. The CEO leads company-wide planning, decision‑making, and execution across all functions, including operations, sales, finance, staffing, compliance, and customer relationships. The CEO is ultimately accountable for business performance, culture, risk management, and stakeholder outcomes.

In addition, the CEO ensures Ute Energy Exploration and Marketing (UEEM) operates in a manner consistent with the values, priorities, and economic development objectives of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation (Utah), including strong community relationships, culturally respectful engagement, and alignment with tribal policies, contracting expectations, and workforce goals where applicable.

Ute Energy Exploration and Marketing Expectations of All Employees:

It is expected that all Ute Energy employees:

Facilitate open communication with their fellow employees, clients, and community partners. Attend and participate in meetings, work groups, team meetings, committees, workshops, individual training, and training conferences and seminars when assigned.

Obtain a working knowledge of and comply with all company policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the Employee Handbook, Personnel Policies and Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures, service plans and any other related policy and procedures.

Report to work at scheduled times and maintain acceptable attendance records as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1) Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

Define and communicate the company’s mission, vision, values, and long-term strategy in alignment with ownership goals and stakeholder expectations.

Establish annual and multi-year business objectives, growth targets, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Identify and evaluate expansion opportunities (new markets, services, partnerships, or locations) that support sustainable growth and tribal economic development priorities when applicable.

Lead competitive analysis and positioning to ensure Ute Energy Exploration and Marketing (UEEM) maintains a strong market advantage.

Oversee strategic planning sessions and ensure plans translate into measurable execution.

2) Tribal Alignment, Government-to-Government Awareness & Community Partnership

Demonstrate understanding and respect for the sovereign status of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation and the unique governance environment in which tribal enterprises may operate.

Build and maintain professional working relationships with Tribal leadership, designated departments, and tribal enterprise stakeholders as applicable to Ute Energy Exploration and Marketing (UEEM) operations.

Ensure company initiatives and major decisions reflect a commitment to responsible community engagement, transparency, and long-term trust-building.

Support tribal workforce development goals through training, mentorship, career pathways, and where applicable, preferential hiring or outreach consistent with policy and law.

Promote culturally respectful business practices, communications, and conduct across all employees, vendors, and partners interacting with the Tribe or on tribal lands.

Coordinate participation in tribal procurement processes, vendor registration, and contracting requirements as applicable.

3) Operational Oversight & Execution

Direct overall operations to ensure high-quality service delivery and efficient performance.

Implement systems and workflows that improve productivity, reduce waste, and increase profitability.

Ensure operational accountability through dashboards, reporting, and structured performance reviews.

Establish service standards and ensure customer satisfaction across all departments.

Oversee vendor relationships and operational contracts, ensuring performance and cost control.

Ensure operational readiness for work performed on or near tribal lands, including site access protocols, safety standards, and local requirements where applicable.

Maintain full accountability for company financial health, cash flow, and profitability.

Develop and manage annual budgets, forecasts, and financial performance plans.

Review and interpret financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) regularly.

Ensure timely billing, collections, and expense controls.

Evaluate pricing strategies and cost structures to maintain competitive and profitable operations.

Approve significant expenditures, investments, and financing decisions.

Ensure financial reporting supports owner/member requirements and any applicable reporting expectations connected to tribal enterprise participation or partnerships.

Drive revenue growth through leadership of sales strategy, customer acquisition, and retention.

Build a predictable sales pipeline and ensure consistent lead generation efforts.

Oversee brand strategy, marketing campaigns, and public-facing communications.

Maintain key client relationships, including high-value accounts and strategic partners.

Negotiate and approve major customer agreements and pricing arrangements.

Develop partnerships and business opportunities that support long-term value creation and may contribute to tribal economic development goals when applicable.

6) People Leadership & Company Culture

Build, lead, and retain a high-performing leadership team.

Ensure staffing levels align with business needs and growth goals.

Promote a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Establish performance expectations, training standards, and employee development pathways.

Oversee compensation strategy, incentives, and organizational structure.

Champion a workplace culture that reflects respect, integrity, and inclusion—particularly in environments involving tribal stakeholders and communities.

Ensure Ute Energy Exploration and Marketing (UEEM) operates in compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, and tribal laws, regulations, and policies as applicable to company operations.

Oversee company insurance coverage, risk mitigation strategies, and safety standards.

Ensure proper maintenance of business licenses, registrations, and required filings.

Protect the company from legal, financial, and reputational risk through strong controls.

Coordinate with legal counsel, CPA, payroll providers, and regulatory bodies as needed.

Oversee contract compliance for projects involving tribal entities, including documentation, reporting, and performance requirements.

Ensure employees and subcontractors adhere to safety, access, and conduct requirements for work performed on tribal lands where applicable.

8) Stakeholder & Member/Board Communication

Serve as the primary point of accountability to the company’s ownership (members/managers).

Provide regular updates on financial results, operational performance, and strategic initiatives.

Present annual business plans, budgets, and major investment recommendations.

Maintain transparency and strong communication with key stakeholders.

When applicable, provide clear and timely updates to tribal enterprise stakeholders in accordance with reporting expectations and governance structures.

9) Technology, Systems & Process Improvement

Ensure the company uses tools and systems that support scalability and efficiency.

Oversee implementation of operational systems (CRM, accounting software, scheduling, etc.).

Promote data-driven decision-making and reporting standards across the organization.

Identify opportunities for automation and improved customer experience through technology.

10) Authority & Decision-Making

Hire, manage, and terminate employees (directly or through leadership).

Approve vendor relationships and contracts within company policy thresholds.

Approve pricing, customer agreements, and business partnerships.

Commit company resources to achieve strategic goals, within approved budgets.

Execute agreements on behalf of Ute Energy Exploration and Marketing (UEEM) consistent with the Operating Agreement and governance rules.

When applicable, ensure contracting and decision-making processes respect tribal procurement and governance requirements for work involving the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation.

11) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Revenue growth and gross margin performance

Net profitability and EBITDA (if applicable)

Cash flow stability and working capital management

Customer satisfaction and retention rates

Operational efficiency and on-time delivery of services

Employee retention, performance, and culture health

Compliance, risk mitigation, and reduction of operational incidents

Strategic initiative completion and scalability progress

Strength and quality of stakeholder relationships, including tribal partners when applicable

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Proven leadership experience in business management, operations, or executive leadership.

Strong financial understanding including budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management.

Demonstrated ability to lead teams, improve performance, and execute strategy.

Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

High integrity, accountability, and professional judgment.

Ability to make decisions under pressure and manage multiple priorities.

Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including tribal governments, tribal enterprises, and community partners when applicable.

Industry experience relevant to Ute Energy Exploration and Marketing (UEEM)’s services, including upstream and midstream energy mineral development and related asset management.

Preferred Qualifications:

Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive management experience, including at least five (5) years in a senior leadership role (CEO, COO, CFO, VP, or General Manager) with P&L responsibility.

Experience scaling operations, launching new services, or entering new markets.

Leadership experience in oil and gas exploration, production, midstream, energy services, or related upstream operations, with a demonstrated ability to manage complex operations, drive profitability, and lead multidisciplinary teams.

Familiarity with compliance requirements, contracts, and vendor management.

Strong background in sales leadership and customer relationship management.

Experience working with tribal governments, tribal enterprises, or organizations operating on or near tribal lands.

Knowledge of procurement practices, contracting environments, and stakeholder engagement in tribal communities.

Core Competencies:

Strategic thinking and execution discipline

Financial acumen and operational rigor

Leadership, coaching, and team development

Communication and stakeholder alignment

Problem-solving and continuous improvement

Risk awareness and compliance orientation

Cultural awareness, professionalism, and relationship stewardship

Decision‑making and accountability

Working Conditions:

Work may require evenings/weekends based on operational demands.

Travel may be required for customer meetings, vendor relations, or expansion efforts, including travel to the Uintah & Ouray Reservation as needed.

Must be able to handle confidential information and sensitive business matters.

Bonus/incentives: Annual performance-based

Benefits: Health, retirement, PTO, vehicle

Acknowledgement:

This job description reflects the general responsibilities and requirements of the CEO role at Ute Energy Exploration and Marketing (UEEM) and may be adjusted based on business needs, company growth, and governance structure. Where Ute Energy Exploration and Marketing (UEEM) engages with or supports the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation (Utah), the CEO is expected to uphold respectful engagement, compliance with applicable requirements, and commitment to long‑term relationship and community value.

Employment Conditional upon the Results of the Following:

Must be able to pass pre‑employment drug testing and random drug testing throughout the employment period

Must be able to pass a pre‑employment background check and maintain an acceptable record throughout the employment period

Must possess a clean MVR and maintain one throughout employment

Ute Energy is committed to equal employment opportunity and to providing a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, disrespectful and/or other unprofessional conduct based on sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sex stereotype, race (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), transgender (including transitioning), national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.