What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President of Operations position at Navigator Energy Services?
Vice President of Operations (Liquids & Nat Gas)
(49 CFR Part 192 & 195 & FERC-Regulated Assets)
Position Summary
The Vice President of Operations is responsible for the safe, reliable, compliant, and efficient operation of interstate and/or intrastate natural gas/liquids transmission and distribution assets regulated under 49 CFR Part 192 & 195 (Pipeline Safety Regulations) and applicable FERC requirements. This executive provides strategic leadership over operations, integrity management, compliance, technical services, field services, gas control, and regulatory coordination.
The role ensures full compliance with PHMSA pipeline safety regulations, FERC tariffs and orders, and state regulatory requirements while optimizing operational performance, system reliability, and capital efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory & Compliance Leadership
- Ensure full compliance with 49 CFR Part 192 & 195, including:
- Integrity Management
- Operations & Maintenance
- Control Room Management
- Qualification of Personnel
- Incident and safety-related condition reporting
- Serve as executive lead during PHMSA and state regulatory inspections and audits.
- Oversee FERC-regulated activities including tariff adherence, certificate compliance support, and rate case operational support.
- Provide executive interface with PHMSA, state pipeline safety agencies, and FERC.
Operational Leadership
- Direct all field operations including transmission and/or distribution systems, compressor stations, measurement and regulation facilities, and gas control/SCADA operations.
- Establish KPIs around safety, reliability, throughput, and cost control.
- Lead emergency response planning and incident command during pipeline events.
- Ensure system reliability during peak demand and critical weather events.
Integrity & Asset Management
- Oversee pipeline integrity programs including inline inspection (ILI), hydrostatic testing, direct assessment, and risk modeling.
- Develop long-term capital improvement and replacement strategies.
- Align asset management strategy with safety, regulatory, and commercial objectives.
- Strategic & Financial Oversight
- Develop and manage annual O&M and maintenance budgets.
- Drive cost optimization while maintaining regulatory compliance and reliability.
- Support commercial teams in expansion projects and capacity upgrades.
- Provide operational input for FERC filings, rate cases, and certificate applications.
Leadership & Culture
- Build and maintain a strong safety culture aligned with Navigator, PHMSA and industry best practices.
- Lead cross-functional teams including engineering, compliance, operations, and gas control.
- Develop succession planning and leadership development within operations.
- Promote continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field.
- 15 years of progressive experience in natural gas pipeline operations.
- Demonstrated executive-level experience with 49 CFR Part 192 & 195 compliance.
- Experience operating FERC-regulated interstate pipeline assets.
- Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary technical teams.
- Strong knowledge of integrity management, O&M procedures, and emergency response.
Core Competencies
- Regulatory mastery (PHMSA & FERC) of proactive compliance
- Strategic asset management
- Crisis leadership & emergency management
- Operational risk management
- Financial acumen (OPEX & Maintenance CAPEX planning)
- Executive and Strategic communication
- Safety leadership