Drilling Director
Permanent, full-time, Geneva based
Ad Terra is an international geoscience & engineering consulting firm, and renewable energy operator striving to unlock Earth's boundless energy potential responsibly.
Position Summary
We are seeking a seasoned Drilling Director to lead and oversee our drilling operations across oil & gas and geothermal projects in Europe and North America. This senior operational role demands a strategic leader with deep experience in field operations, both onshore and offshore, technical expertise, and a proven track record in managing high-stakes drilling campaigns. The ideal candidate will bring a unique blend of operational excellence, safety leadership, and innovation to drive performance in diverse and challenging environments.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide strategic and technical leadership for all drilling operations globally, from well planning through execution and post-analysis. (EU, North America)
* Act as Technical Authority (TA) for all well design and drilling operations within Ad Terra and its operating subsidiaries.
* Define and implement drilling strategies aligned with project goals, budget constraints, and development timelines.
* Lead the design, planning, procurement, execution, optimization, and close-out phases of drilling campaigns (onshore and offshore).
* Guarantee well integrity, operational safety, and regulatory compliance across jurisdictions (EU, North America).
* Oversee contractor selection, tendering processes, contract negotiation, and performance monitoring (drilling, service, and rig contractors).
* Develop and manage robust cost control frameworks, risk registers, and operational KPIs.
* Ensure seamless collaboration between drilling, geoscience, subsurface, surface engineering, and project delivery teams.
* Continuously evaluate and integrate new drilling technologies and methodologies to drive efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance ESG performance.
* Represent drilling operations in executive committees, JV partner meetings, and technical steering groups.
* Build and scale internal capabilities, including identifying and mentoring high-potential staff and external consultants as the drilling portfolio expands.
* Provide technical consulting services and strategic advisory to clients of Ad Terra Consultancy worldwide, positioning the company as a reference partner in drilling expertise.
* Support proposal development and client project delivery for drilling-related scopes.
Skills & Qualifications
* Bachelor's or Master's degree in Petroleum Engineering, mechanical engineering,, or a related field.
* Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in drilling operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
* Demonstrated expertise in both oil & gas and geothermal drilling environments, with a strong safety and performance record.
* Proven ability to manage complex, multi-site projects, including exploratory and development drilling in challenging geological settings.
* In-depth knowledge of well design, casing programs, drilling fluids, BOP systems, and well control standards.
* Extensive experience in tendering, contracting, and vendor management, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa.
* Strong financial acumen in budget management, cost forecasting, and operational optimization.
* Outstanding leadership, communication, and decision-making skills in multicultural and high-pressure environments.
* Fluency in English; additional languages (French, German, Spanish) are an asset.
* EU citizenship or valid work authorization in Switzerland is required.
Thank you for considering joining our team.