HSE Manager

Location: Oklahoma City, OK

Reports to: Chief Commercial Officer, General Counsel

Employment Type: Salary, Exempt Full-Time

About Us

Western Natural Resources (WNR) is a privately held, Oklahoma City–based oil and gas company focused on acquiring, developing, and operating high-quality upstream energy assets. Founded through a strategic partnership between Centalion and experienced energy leaders, WNR combines deep industry expertise, disciplined execution, and a long-term approach to building a premier energy company.

WNR is a rapidly growing organization with an entrepreneurial culture where collaboration, integrity, safety, and accountability are central to how we operate. As the company expands its asset base and team, employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, work closely with experienced industry leaders, and help build the infrastructure and culture of a growing energy company.

Position Summary

The role is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing comprehensive health, safety, and environmental (HSE) programs to ensure compliance with regulations, prevent incidents, and foster a strong safety culture and drive continuous improvement. As a trusted advisor to executive leadership and field operations teams, the HSE Manager provides guidance on all health, safety, and environmental matters affecting the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Stay up to date on federal, state and local regulations and ensuring the company’s operations are fully compliant.
• Develop and maintain company-wide safety policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) in accordance with federal, state, and industry standards. Ensure clear communication and consistent application across all operations, including drilling rigs, completion operations, production facilities, pipeline systems, and infrastructure projects.
• Implement KPIs and leading/lagging indicators (e.g., TRIR, near-miss reporting, root cause analysis) to track safety performance across field operations. Regularly review safety metrics, incident trends, and audit findings to drive proactive hazard mitigation.
• Foster a culture of safety awareness, accountability, hazard recognition, stop-work authority throughout the organization. Encourage employee participation in safety initiatives and promoting a proactive approach to safety.
• Lead structured audits and jobsite inspections for well pads, compressor stations, gas plants and pipeline rights-of-way. Identify compliance gaps, unsafe behaviors, or environmental risks, and initiate immediate and long-term corrective actions.
• Oversee the company’s environmental compliance program, including Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans, air permits and emissions reporting, stormwater management, waste management and disposal, and spill reporting and remediation. Manage environmental permitting, inspections, and regulatory filings, and maintain accurate compliance records.
• Coordinate with training departments to provide tailored HSE training. Ensure competency development for both employees and contractors.
• Monitor developments in federal and state HSE legislation, including OSHA, EPA Spill Prevention, and DOT Pipeline Safety regulations. Champion the adoption of best-in-class practices and new safety technologies.
• Partner closely with operations, engineering, and human resources to integrate HSE into business planning, project design, and emergency response coordination.
• Build and maintain relationships with regulatory agencies, industry groups, and community members.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive HSE experience, with at least 5 years in upstream (drilling/production) or midstream (pipelines, terminals) oil & gas operations.
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA, PHMSA and EPA regulations relevant to the oil & gas sector.
• Demonstrated success leading HSE programs in hazardous environments including remote well sites, frac operations, and pipeline construction or maintenance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and incident investigation skills.
• Ability to travel to field sites in East Texas and Western Louisiana, up to 50% when needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) strongly preferred.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary performance-based incentives
• Direct influence over company HSE strategy and growth
• Flat, collaborative team structure with fast decision-making

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, including sitting, standing, walking, communicating, and using standard office or job-related equipment. May require lifting, travel, working outdoors, or use of personal protective equipment.