Head of Operations at a Diving and Marine Services Company - Petit Debut

Petit Debut - Our client is a Lagos-based diving and marine services company expanding into deepwater drilling support operations through a strategic joint venture with an international partner.

They are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Operations

Location: Rivers
Employment Type: Full-time

Description

• As they scale, they are seeking a full-time Head of Operations to provide executive-level oversight of all operational activities across our diving, marine, and deepwater drilling portfolio.
• Reporting directly to the Managing Director, they will be the operational backbone of the business — ensuring every project is delivered safely, efficiently, and profitably while building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth ambitions.

Key responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for all operational functions including diving, marine, rope access corrosion control and deepwater drilling project delivery
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and systems that support safe, efficient, and compliant project execution
• Support the company’s IMS; drive a proactive safety culture across all teams and project sites
• Oversee the planning, resourcing, and execution of all active projects, ensuring delivery within scope, budget, and schedule
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing operations team including project engineers, dive supervisors, and support staff
• Work closely with the Managing Director on business development — supporting bids, client presentations, and scope of work development
• Manage relationships with key clients, vendors, regulatory bodies (NUPRC, NIMASA, NCDMB), and port authorities
• Oversee equipment maintenance programmes, vessel readiness, and asset management
• Oversee end-to-end inbound logistics for equipment, materials, and consumables — from international freight and shipping to final delivery at port or project site
• Manage port operations, customs clearance, and import documentation in compliance with Nigerian trade and maritime regulations
• Coordinate equipment and personnel mobilisation and demobilisation across all projects, including trucking, travel logistics, medicals, offshore certifications, and visa requirements where applicable
• Monitor operational KPIs and financial performance across all projects; report regularly to senior management
• Ensure full compliance with Nigerian regulatory requirements and JV contractual obligations
• Identify operational risks and implement robust mitigation strategies across the business
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and competitiveness
• Lead a comprehensive revamp of the operations department in preparation for the joint venture — reviewing and restructuring team composition, roles, workflows, systems, and procedures to ensure the department is fully equipped to meet the demands of our commercial diving and deepwater drilling support programme at scale
• Define the operational standards, governance frameworks, and reporting structures required to satisfy the demands of our commercial diving operations, our JV partner expectations and Nigerian regulatory requirements from day one of the partnership

Required qualifications

• B.Sc. / B.Eng. in Engineering, Marine Science, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum 15 years’ experience in offshore, marine, or oil and gas operations, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role
• Proven experience managing diving, subsea, or marine construction operations
• Strong understanding of deepwater drilling environments and associated operational risks
• Track record of building and leading multi-disciplinary operational teams
• In-depth knowledge of NUPRC, NIMASA, NCDMB, and IMCA regulatory frameworks
• Valid NYSC discharge or exemption certificate

Preferred skills:

• Professional diving certification (CMAS, PADI, or equivalent)
• Experience operating within a joint venture or IOC-led project structure
• Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent)
• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification in management or business
• Existing relationships with Nigerian upstream regulators and key industry clients

Working arrangement:

• Full-time, based in Port Harcourt with regular offshore and field site visits
• Availability required outside standard hours during critical project phases or emergencies
• Offshore survival certification must be maintained throughout employment
• Occasional international travel for JV partner meetings or industry engagements

Personal attributes:

• A decisive, hands-on leader who leads from the front and earns respect on and offshore
• Commercially minded with strong instincts for cost control and value creation
• Exceptional communicator — credible with field crews, clients, regulators, and board level alike
• Deep personal commitment to safety — zero tolerance for shortcuts
• Entrepreneurial spirit; thrives in a growing, fast-paced SME environment
• Resilient and calm under pressure, with strong problem-solving capability

What's on offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience at executive level
• Performance-related bonus tied to operational and business targets
• Offshore per diem and project allowances
• A defining leadership role in an ambitious, Nigerian-owned company at an exciting stage of growth
• Direct influence over strategy, culture, and the future direction of the business.

Application Closing Date
18th May, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV to: adefolake@petitdebut.com using the job title as the subject of the email.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within two weeks