Job Title: Refinery Director – Operations & Maintenance Consultancy
Location: Iraq (Site-Based)
Contract: 1+1 Years
Start Date: Q1 2025
Package: Competitive expatriate package with full benefits

About the Role

A prestigious opportunity has arisen for an experienced Refinery Director to lead the operations and maintenance (O&M) consultancy for a major grassroots refinery in Iraq. This senior-level position will play a critical advisory and oversight role, supporting the refinery owner, monitoring O&M contractors, and steering the organization towards stable, efficient, and internationally compliant refinery operations.

You’ll oversee a multidisciplinary team of 20–40 consultants across operations, maintenance, HSE, integrity, and security. This is a site-based leadership position, requiring deep refinery expertise, a strong commitment to safety, and strategic acumen to influence long-term operational success.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the principal operations advisor to the refinery owner, guiding all aspects of refinery operations and management.

• Drive the implementation of internationally recognized standards and best practices, identifying and resolving gaps.

• Oversee operations management systems across process, production, reliability, and asset integrity.

• Lead development of operational KPIs, long-term forecasts, and continuous improvement strategies.

• Ensure cohesive collaboration among EPCs, O&M contractors, licensors, vendors, and stakeholders.

Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Leadership

• Enforce a world-class safety culture and ensure strict compliance with refinery HSE standards.

• Oversee risk assessments and safety case reviews.

• Monitor environmental performance and drive initiatives for sustainability and compliance.

Production & Maintenance Oversight

• Optimize plant uptime, throughput, and efficiency across process units (CDU, FCC, hydrocrackers, steam reforming, etc.).

• Monitor and manage refinery OPEX, operational budgets, and cost-efficiency targets.

• Promote lean methodologies, digital transformation initiatives, and industry 4.0 adoption.

People & Performance Management

• Lead, coach, and mentor a high-performing team of subject matter experts and consultants.

• Provide hands-on leadership while fostering autonomy and ownership among teams.

• Ensure ongoing training, succession planning, and development of local staff and junior consultants.

• Actively monitor performance metrics and initiate corrective actions as required.

Requirements

Professional Qualifications

• Degree or Master’s in Engineering (preferably Chemical or Process).

• 20+ years of experience in operations & maintenance within the refining or process industries.

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in refinery operations, including at least 5 years as Refinery Manager/Director.

• In-depth knowledge of refinery process units such as CDU, FCC, hydrocrackers, steam reforming.

• Strong understanding of O&M contracting, budget control, and cost optimisation strategies.

• Demonstrated success implementing operational excellence programs and digital tools in refining environments.

• Familiarity with international refinery operational frameworks (API, OSHA, ISO, etc.).

Technical & Strategic Skills

• Experience in commissioning/start-up of grassroots or large-scale refineries is highly desirable.

• Ability to assess and implement plant performance strategies including RAM (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability).

• Deep knowledge of plant asset management systems (e.g., SAP, Maximo), and control systems integration.

• Exposure to digitalisation tools for predictive maintenance, process simulation, and operations intelligence platforms.

Leadership & Communication

• Proven leadership of multinational teams in remote, site-based environments.

• Strong influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to operate independently while maintaining alignment with the client’s strategic objectives.

• Fluent in English, with exceptional communication skills—Arabic is a plus.

Contract Details

• Start Date: Q1 2025

• Duration: 1-year initial contract + 1-year extension

• Location: Refinery site, Iraq (with occasional travel to client HQ)

• Package: Competitive expatriate compensation including accommodation, flights, insurance, and R&R rotation