Project Director - CCS

Tallgrass•Lakewood, CO

15h•$220,000 - $240,000

About The Position

Provide leadership, technical oversight, and project governance for Tallgrass's Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) well and subsurface execution organization. The Project Director manages the full lifecycle of the CCS well delivery team and projects, from concept development and business case formation through engineering, execution, and transition to operations. The role leads well delivery professionals and is accountable for project performance across safety, schedule, budget, quality, and regulatory compliance. The position directs project strategy, governance, technical execution, procurement, stakeholder engagement, financial management, and regulatory compliance across the CCS well delivery portfolio. It includes representing Tallgrass with customers, regulators, government bodies, and the public, as well as providing on-site representation and expert judgment on CCS projects and oil and gas well implementation. The role supervises and provides technical work direction and oversight to staff and contractors. The majority of the typical workday is spent in an office environment, although assignments may require field and construction-site work in varied and potentially extreme weather conditions. Travel is required and anticipated at 10–20% across a broad geographic region. Non-traditional and extended work hours may be required, including during emergencies, and the employee must be available by cell phone during working and non-working hours. The role requires the ability to work in confined spaces and around heavy equipment, as well as to negotiate rough terrain and construction sites.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Engineering, Project Management, or Construction Management.
At least 10 years of progressive experience in capital project and project management in the midstream or upstream energy sector.
Demonstrated experience leading and managing multidisciplinary engineering and project management teams.
Extensive background in process and petroleum engineering, with direct CCS/CCUS project experience.
Experience with geological and petrophysical analysis related to CCUS, including sequestration formation evaluation and reservoir characterization.
Drilling engineering expertise encompassing casing design, downhole and surface equipment, and formation-specific considerations related to UGS and CCUS.
In-depth knowledge of PHMSA 1170/1171, EPA UIC Class VI disposal wells, and EPA Subpart RR, with ability to lead compliance projects under current and emerging CO2 regulatory frameworks.
Track record managing large, complex capital projects, including multiple concurrent projects across broad geographic regions.
Advanced knowledge of project management methodologies, including work breakdown structures, integrated master scheduling, cost and schedule control, earned value management, risk management, design and construction management, resource planning, procurement, and permitting.
Experience leading drilling optimization projects and overseeing real-time monitoring of drilling operations at scale.
Understanding of corporate financial systems, capital budgeting processes, and economic analysis for project and investment justification.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with regulators, customers, contractors, and executive stakeholders.
Working knowledge of applicable regulations and agencies, including DOT, OSHA, EPA, and state counterparts.
Familiarity with DOT, NEC, ASME, API, ASTM, and other specifications, standards, and recommended practices used in the natural gas or hazardous liquid transportation industry.
Proficiency in MS Office applications, including Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook.
Valid driver's license and driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers; travel is required.
Visionary leadership and ability to set strategic direction and inspire a high-performing team.
Strong executive presence and ability to communicate complex technical and business information clearly to diverse audiences, including C-suite leaders, regulators, and customers.
Exceptional organizational, analytical, and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities across a complex project portfolio.
Strong financial acumen and ability to manage large capital budgets and develop compelling business cases.
Expert problem-solving and decision-making skills, including effectiveness in ambiguous or rapidly evolving environments.
Highly collaborative interpersonal skills and ability to lead through influence across organizational boundaries.
Goal-oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently at a senior level while maintaining effective upward and lateral communication.
Demonstrated commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance.
Flexibility and effectiveness in a dynamic, fast-paced team environment, while maintaining a professional and respectful demeanor with coworkers, clients, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
Ability to perform all essential and marginal job functions.
Ability to meet the listed physical requirements, including prolonged sitting; standing and walking for extended periods; driving; using hands to type, touch, handle, or feel; and communicating by talking and hearing.
Ability to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Ability to reach, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and work in confined spaces; field activities may involve trenches, heavy equipment, rough terrain, and loose rock.
Ability to work in all weather conditions.
Ability to work non-traditional and extended hours as needed, including overtime and emergency response, and to be available by cell phone during working and non-working hours.
Must clear a drug screen and complete a background check after an offer and before employment; a credit report is included for certain positions.

Nice To Haves

Ten years of specific experience leading drilling and completion programs in conjunction with subsurface and regulatory teams.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management credential.
Knowledge of natural gas and oil pipeline, plant, and pump station operations.
Demonstrated experience leading organizational change and building new project capabilities in a growth environment.
Experience with carbon markets, carbon accounting, or CO2 transportation and injection infrastructure development.

Responsibilities

Manage a group of well delivery professionals and foster teamwork, collaboration, and accountability.
Execute the strategic vision, roadmap, and execution framework for the CCS subsurface project in alignment with corporate and commercial objectives.
Establish and maintain project governance, including stage-gate reviews, risk management frameworks, and performance reporting to executive leadership.
Drive continuous improvement in project processes, tools, and methodologies to improve efficiency, safety, and outcomes.
Provide on-site representation and expert judgment regarding CCS projects and oil and gas well implementation.
Provide technical oversight across CCS well delivery phases, including geological evaluation, drilling engineering, completion design, surface equipment, and commissioning.
Manage performance against safety, schedule, budget, quality, and regulatory compliance metrics, and develop corrective action plans as needed.
Direct the development of CCS scopes of work, integrated master schedules, cost estimates, and execution plans.
Oversee contractor and vendor selection to achieve competitive, technically sound, and commercially favorable procurement outcomes.
Review and approve major bid packages, contract terms, and change orders in coordination with Supply Chain and Legal.
Direct real-time monitoring of drilling operations, drilling optimization, and data-driven project decisions.
Represent Tallgrass in engagements with customers, regulatory agencies, government bodies, and the public on CCS matters.
Present project strategy, status, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership, boards, and external stakeholders.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with industry partners, regulators, and customers.
Lead or direct stakeholder engagement related to permitting, public comment, and agency coordination for EPA UIC Class VI wells and associated infrastructure.
Own the CCS project budget, including capital expenditure planning, cost control, variance analysis, and cash flow forecasting.
Organize and manage projects within the Company's financial control system; review and approve project expenditures, commitments, and monthly cost control reports.
Ensure project activities comply with applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations, including PHMSA 1170/1171, EPA UIC Class VI, EPA Subpart RR, and Tallgrass policies and procedures.
Track changes in the CCS regulatory landscape and incorporate them into project planning and execution.
Direct preparation and maintenance of project documentation to meet Corporate, Federal, State, and other governing body requirements.
Promote and model high standards of personal and team safety, and ensure environmental and human impacts are identified, assessed, and mitigated.
Maintain dependable attendance and a high level of performance, and conduct interactions with professionalism, tact, and courtesy.
Perform other daily, weekly, monthly, special project, or assigned duties.
Provide technical work direction and oversight of staff and contractors.