Estimating and Procurement Vice President of Lithium Development Manager

Position Summary The Vice President of Lithium Development provides senior-level technical and operational leadership for lithium development projects performed in support of Southwest Operating’s clients. The position oversees drilling, completions, artificial lift, testing, project execution, multimillion-dollar budgets, and client communication.This role serves as a key technical advisor and client-facing representative of Southwest Operating, providing recommendations and project oversight while recognizing that final project decisions may remain with the client.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesLead and oversee lithium development activities, including deep-well planning, vertical and horizontal drilling, completions, artificial lift, testing, and production-related activities.Provide technical guidance related to casing, cementing, directional drilling, Oil Based Mud (OBM) systems, drilling hydraulics, wellbore stability, pressure management, and well control.Evaluate drilling, reservoir, completion, testing, and production data and provide technical recommendations to clients and executive leadership.Serve as a primary technical point of contact for clients and coordinate with contractors, service companies, consultants, and other project stakeholders.Develop, manage, and report on multimillion-dollar project budgets, forecasts, AFEs, schedules, costs, and material operational or financial risks.Monitor project performance to improve efficiency, reduce nonproductive time, manage risk, control costs, and support compliance with applicable regulations, client requirements, industry standards, and H2S safety requirements.Prepare and deliver technical presentations, project updates, budget information, risks, and recommendations to clients, executive leadership, investors, partners, and other stakeholders.Recruit and lead engineering and technical personnel as needed and perform other duties assigned in support of Southwest Operating’s lithium development objectives.Education and ExperienceRequiredBachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.Significant experience in drilling, completions, production operations, artificial lift, or well development.Demonstrated experience drilling deep wellbores into formations such as the Cotton Valley, Smackover, or comparable formations.Strong knowledge of drilling engineering, well construction, well control, drilling fluids, completions, artificial lift, and well testing.Experience managing complex drilling or development projects, contractors, substantial budgets, and client relationships.PreferredBachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering or Mechanical Engineering; other engineering disciplines will be considered.Experience with both vertical and horizontal drilling operations.Experience with drilling, completions, artificial lift, production well testing, and Oil Based Mud (OBM) systems.Experience with high-pressure/high-temperature wells, H2S environments, or senior engineering/operations leadership.Physical and Travel RequirementsAbility to travel frequently to drilling, project, vendor, and client locations and work in active oilfield environments while wearing required PPE and following applicable H2S and other safety requirements.