Drilling Director

Drilling DirectorPermanent, full-time, Geneva basedAd Terra is an international geoscience & engineering consulting firm, and renewable energy operator striving to unlock Earth's boundless energy potential responsibly.Position SummaryWe 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 ResponsibilitiesProvide 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 & QualificationsBachelor'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.