Upstream Oil & Gas Solutions Manager

Job Description:

Position Overview:   

RMI Managers are creative project leaders who guide and manage team members to craft visionary yet practical solutions for our industry partners and research. As an Upstream O&G Solutions Manager at RMI, you will work closely with and under the direction of RMI’s Principals and Managing Directors to design and execute projects.  

• The Manager is sometimes an individual contributor but is most often responsible for managing and guiding more junior staff, particularly Associates and sometimes Sr. Associates. 

• Has responsibility for managing projects and/or significant portions of initiatives. The Manager works with Principals and Managing Directors to provide mentorship, professional development, and project reviews of more junior staff. 

• Provides thought leadership on upstream O&G operations to differentiate emissions and mitigation strategies to reduce methane emissions. 

• Has responsibility for managing corporate and academic project contributors and collaborating with RMI staff.  

• Contributes to strategy-level conversations about initiatives and RMI.  

• Has expertise in upstream oil and gas production, processing, and emissions controls. Is conversant in one or more additional, related areas. 

• Engages with and presents to technical audiences and to corporate actors, funders, NGOs, and policy makers.  

• The Manager is beginning to participate in business development and sometimes has a significant role in that area. 

The Oil and Gas Solutions Initiative (OGSI) is a team within the RMI Climate Intelligence Program. Its purpose is to visualize and quantify O&G emissions and identify measurable reductions that can be activated through financial, corporate, and government channels. The Upstream O&G Solutions Manager reports to Debbie Gordon, Senior Principal, who serves as co-leader of OGSI. 

Major Roles and Responsibilities:    

The primary roles of the Upstream O&G Solutions Manager are to:  

• Lead and expand user-guided development and the targeted technical capabilities of the Oil Production Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimator (OPGEE) model, and facilitate its incorporation into the Oil Climate Index plus Gas (OCI+) web tool; and  

• Apply upstream O&G knowledge to inform program, initiative, projects, and multi-stakeholder analysis, strategy, and engagements.  

• Manage projects to yield breakthrough insights and results. 

To perform this role successfully, the Upstream O&G Solutions Manager will be expected to contribute the following critical competencies:  

Technical Knowledge and Thought Leadership 

• Build out the OPGEE model (in collaboration with coders, academics, NGOs, and industry partners) to expand RMI’s analysis of upstream O&G emissions and GHG mitigation measures, especially for methane. 

• Provide thought leadership on upstream O&G operations, technologies, emissions, and other issues. 

• With senior guidance, shape project strategies from inception to conclusion: determine change models, research methods, timelines, resource plans, communications plans, and stakeholder engagement. 

• Determine how results will be measured and be accountable for project results, rigorously challenging and validating findings from RMI teams and partners. 

• Coach and motivate project team members and resolve any issues throughout project life cycle, including writing project-level reviews for junior staff 

• Develop strategies for scaling energy efficiency and/or incorporating renewables and other energy alternatives into O&G operations, domestically and internationally 

Communications 

• Lead and contribute to research efforts and publications. Offer expertise in areas key to supporting the objectives of OGSI. Such topics include methane abatement, decarbonization pathways, CCS, geothermal assessments, reservoir dynamics, new upstream technologies, or others.   

• Represent RMI Climate Intelligence publicly at conferences, roundtables, events, and industry initiatives. Design and facilitate events when required. 

• Regularly contribute to external interviews, videos, and publications to share project insights. 

• Represent RMI as an industry expert at key conferences and other public speaking events 

Effective Management 

• Maintain and further build a network of relationships with key external parties and OCI+ Consortium collaborators by leveraging existing working knowledge and networks to inform ongoing and future work in pursuit of OGSI objectives.  

• Conduct work independently and collaboratively in cross-Climate Intelligence and other RMI teams as is required, overseeing and/or advising teams that number between 2 to 25 contributors (internal and external). 

• Work closely with the Senior Principal, OGSI team, and RMI’s Development team to craft funding strategies, deliver on funded projects, and skillfully prioritize and reprioritize work.  

• Mentor colleagues and share in-depth O&G knowledge in OGSI and other teams.   

• Act as the lead relationship manager with OPGEE project partners and stakeholders. 

Minimum Experience and Qualifications: 

• Bachelors’ degree equivalent or higher (research-focused) in chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, or another related technical field.     

• At least 5 years of experience working in and/or with the upstream O&G sector in a corporate, consulting, services, or academic institution (e.g., oil and gas company, consultancy, financial institution, think-tank, or academia). 

• Expertise in one or more relevant fields, such as: production and process engineering, reservoir engineering, greenhouse gas life cycle analysis, oil, and gas policy.   

• Proficiency in Python and SQL, and a working knowledge in other software languages 

• Data analysis skills. 

• Excellent people management skills and time management, organization, entrepreneurship, and drive. 

• Understanding of lifecycle assessment and the climate impacts of O&G systems, including methane.    

• Professional experience designing, modeling, and executing thought leadership research.   

• Proficient in writing for broad audiences and demonstrated ability to deliver clear, compelling communications for diverse audiences.   

• Flexibility, professionalism, enthusiasm for working both individually and as part of a team.   

• Demonstrated relationship-building, presentation, and facilitation skills.    

• Fluency in written and spoken English.    

• A commitment to RMI’s mission and values.   

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Prior knowledge of OPGEE model development, program design and assessment processes.    

• Competency in various levels of key upstream oil and gas activities and decision making with at least one near mastery level, including reservoir assessment, geologic, topside operations, brownfield projects, greenfield projects, end-of-life sealing, or other. 

• Experience of tailoring research and communications to technical, corporate, and financial audiences.   

• Experience working with/for NGOs and across teams and at the interface of diverse stakeholders.   

• Experience with professional/peer/learning networks, communities of practice, or other types of collaborative processes to achieve scaled impact or solutions.   

Location: 

We are a remote-ready organization with team members around the globe. Our beautiful and welcoming offices are available for meetings or focused work, whether you are traveling through or living nearby. Our U.S. offices are in New York City; Washington DC; Oakland, California; Boulder, Colorado; and Basalt, Colorado. This role can be located from anywhere in the continental United States.   

We provide you with the essential IT equipment plus a one-time home technology payment and a monthly work from home/commuter allowance to ensure you have a comfortable home office set up and necessary supplies.   

We love seeing each other in person! We occasionally gather for shared time together like retreats and learning experiences. Be ready to travel for occasional in-person meetings (and of course, we cover travel costs). Some roles may require more travel, which will be discussed during the hiring process.   

Compensation:     

RMI compensates based on the level and requirements of the role. Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. Typically, RMI Managers join at the minimum to mid salary range of $105,000.00 - $129,000.00. You would also have an additional 10% bonus target!    

Benefits    

We offer a comprehensive benefits package adjusted to regional norms, including (for U.S. employment):

• Medical, dental, vision insurance  

• 403b retirement options (up to 5% match immediately)   

• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability

• Professional and personal development (including LinkedIn Learning access)   

• Generous paid time off  

• Parental leave   

• Work from home and commuter allowance

RMI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.