Director, IT Refining

HF Sinclair•Dallas, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Basic FunctionHF Sinclair is seeking a Director, IT Refining based in Dallas, TX. In this role, you will serve as the strategic technology leader and trusted advisor to Refining leadership—driving long‑term digital transformation, innovation, and operational excellence across all refining operations. This role provides partnership, direction, and thought leadership to ensure business objectives are achieved through modern, value‑driven technology solutions. The Director leads the development of multi‑year digital, AI, and automation roadmaps, partners with senior business leaders to craft future‑state capabilities and ensures technology investments maximize value across Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), Turnaround, Maintenance, Operations, Procurement, and Reliability. This role plays a central part in shaping the Refinery of the Future, promoting adoption of advanced analytics, machine learning, intelligent automation, and emerging technologies—while ensuring alignment with corporate strategy, IT architecture standards, and global digital initiatives. Job DutiesStrategic Leadership & Business Partnership Leads the creation of a multi‑year digital strategy and IT roadmap for the Refining function, integrating AI/ML, automation, data modernization, cybersecurity, and OT/IT convergence. Serves as a strategic advisor to Refining executives—helping define future capabilities, technology-enabled business models, and operational transformation opportunities. Ensures Refining technology plans align with corporate strategy, enterprise architecture, and enterprise digital platforms. AI, Advanced Analytics & Automation Leadership Identifies, prioritizes, and implements AI and machine learning use cases, such as predictive maintenance, digital twins, real-time optimization, anomaly detection, and generative AI for knowledge workflows. Leads adoption of automation technologies, including RPA, workflow automation, intelligent process automation, and process mining to streamline non‑value-added work. Partners with Data Science, OT, and Engineering teams to develop and operationalize analytics solutions across the enterprise. Ensures AI practices follow corporate policies, data governance, and model lifecycle management. Innovation & Digital Transformation Establishes an Innovation Pipeline for the Refining function, including scouting emerging technologies, developing POC programs, and scaling successful solutions. Creates partnerships with vendors, research institutions, startups, and industry groups to bring cutting‑edge capabilities into the organization. Facilitates design-thinking workshops and innovation sessions with plant leadership to identify high-value digital opportunities. Portfolio, Program, and Value Management Oversees a broad portfolio of Refining IT initiatives, ensuring execution excellence, transparent reporting, and measurable value delivery. Implements frameworks for value realization, KPIs, and continuous improvement for digital investments. Ensures sufficient resource planning, capability development, and partner management to meet demand needs. Operational Technology (OT) & Cyber Alignment Works closely with OT, Cybersecurity, and Engineering to ensure secure, resilient, and modern refinery operations. Supports modernization of legacy systems and ensures IT/OT convergence for real-time data, reliability, and process optimization. Solution Delivery & Service Management Directs teams responsible for delivery of integrated business solutions, enhancements, and process improvements. Ensures service level agreements (SLAs) meet business expectations and technology platforms are reliable and scalable. Acts as primary liaison between Refining and IT for business capability planning, prioritization, and technology adoption. Leadership & People Development Leads and mentors a team of senior managers, analysts, architects, and external partners. Drives a culture of innovation, digital skill-building, cross‑functional collaboration, and continuous improvement. Promotes behavior aligned with safety, environmental stewardship, and company values. Financial & Governance Responsibilities Oversees budgeting, forecasting, and financial reviews for all Refining technology initiatives. Prepares proposals for senior leadership on digital investments, strategic capability builds, and process improvement programs. Special Assignments Performs other duties as assigned at leadership discretion.

Requirements

15+ years of IT or relevant business experience with deep functional expertise in Refining, EH&S, Maintenance, Operations, Procurement, and/or Turnaround.
Demonstrated experience driving strategic decision-making and influencing senior executives.
Proven leadership delivering AI/ML, automation, digital transformation, or advanced analytics solutions in asset-heavy or industrial environments.
Experience building future-state business capability plans and translating them into actionable technology roadmaps.
Hands-on experience with SAP and key refining systems (e.g., Prometheus, Enablon, Primavera, Aveva Pi, Emerson).
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Finance, Computer Science, or related field required.
Strategic leadership and executive communication skills.
Strong understanding of refinery operations, master data, and industry-specific technologies.
Expertise in digital transformation, AI/ML, automation, and cloud-enabled architectures.
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to lead and develop senior-level teams and manage external partners.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

Nice To Haves

10+ years of experience in Refining, Petrochemical, or related industrial sectors.
Experience with RPA, process mining, data platforms, digital twins, or IT/OT integration initiatives.
Experience leading innovation programs or emerging technology evaluations.
MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads the creation of a multi‑year digital strategy and IT roadmap for the Refining function, integrating AI/ML, automation, data modernization, cybersecurity, and OT/IT convergence.
Serves as a strategic advisor to Refining executives—helping define future capabilities, technology-enabled business models, and operational transformation opportunities.
Ensures Refining technology plans align with corporate strategy, enterprise architecture, and enterprise digital platforms.
Identifies, prioritizes, and implements AI and machine learning use cases, such as predictive maintenance, digital twins, real-time optimization, anomaly detection, and generative AI for knowledge workflows.
Leads adoption of automation technologies, including RPA, workflow automation, intelligent process automation, and process mining to streamline non‑value-added work.
Partners with Data Science, OT, and Engineering teams to develop and operationalize analytics solutions across the enterprise.
Ensures AI practices follow corporate policies, data governance, and model lifecycle management.
Establishes an Innovation Pipeline for the Refining function, including scouting emerging technologies, developing POC programs, and scaling successful solutions.
Creates partnerships with vendors, research institutions, startups, and industry groups to bring cutting‑edge capabilities into the organization.
Facilitates design-thinking workshops and innovation sessions with plant leadership to identify high-value digital opportunities.
Oversees a broad portfolio of Refining IT initiatives, ensuring execution excellence, transparent reporting, and measurable value delivery.
Implements frameworks for value realization, KPIs, and continuous improvement for digital investments.
Ensures sufficient resource planning, capability development, and partner management to meet demand needs.
Works closely with OT, Cybersecurity, and Engineering to ensure secure, resilient, and modern refinery operations.
Supports modernization of legacy systems and ensures IT/OT convergence for real-time data, reliability, and process optimization.
Directs teams responsible for delivery of integrated business solutions, enhancements, and process improvements.
Ensures service level agreements (SLAs) meet business expectations and technology platforms are reliable and scalable.
Acts as primary liaison between Refining and IT for business capability planning, prioritization, and technology adoption.
Leads and mentors a team of senior managers, analysts, architects, and external partners.
Drives a culture of innovation, digital skill-building, cross‑functional collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Promotes behavior aligned with safety, environmental stewardship, and company values.
Oversees budgeting, forecasting, and financial reviews for all Refining technology initiatives.
Prepares proposals for senior leadership on digital investments, strategic capability builds, and process improvement programs.
Performs other duties as assigned at leadership discretion.