Senior Operations Manager

The Senior Operations Manager is responsible for planning, building, and leading the operational readiness capability for BKV’s new-build power generation fleet, with an initial focus on the operations and maintenance needs of large-scale reciprocating engine across multiple plants. This role ensures that operations teams, systems, infrastructure, and processes are fully established and staffed well in advance of commissioning, enabling safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations from day one.

Reporting to the VP Power Operations, this role serves as the primary owner of the operations readiness workstream — bridging Project Development, Project Execution, Engineering, Commissioning, and long-term Operations to ensure continuity of assumptions, seamless handover, and institutionalization of best practices.

The Senior Operations Manager brings deep, hands-on experience with large reciprocating engines (e.g., INNIO Jenbacher, Caterpillar/MWM, Wärtsilä) and translates that expertise into staffing plans, training programs, maintenance strategies, spare parts inventories, and operational budgets that are grounded in real-world plant operations.

Demonstrates integrity, accountability and transparency; upholds BKV standards, values and culture.

• Lead, develop and own the integrated operations readiness plan for BKV’s new-build power generation fleet, defining milestones, deliverables, dependencies, and resource requirements from development through commercial operation.
• Establish operational readiness criteria and checklists aligned with commissioning, turnover, and commercial operation date (COD) milestones; ensure all prerequisites are met ahead of each project phase gate.
• Coordinate with Project Execution, Engineering, and EPC/OEM partners to align construction, commissioning, and turnover schedules with operations staffing, training, and infrastructure timelines.
• Develop and maintain the Safety Management System (SMS) for Power Operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory, environmental, and corporate safety requirements.

• Define the target operating model and organizational structure for Power Operations, including staffing levels, skill sets, shift structures, and reporting relationships for each project site.
• Develop staffing plans and hiring timelines to ensure operations personnel are recruited, onboarded, and fully trained well in advance of commissioning — including plant managers, operators, mechanics, and support staff.
• Design and implement comprehensive training programs covering engine operations, safety, maintenance procedures, control systems, and emergency response; coordinate specialized OEM training (e.g., INNIO engine certification) and EPC‑provided training programs (e.g., Gruppo training as outlined in contractual annexes).
• Identify required skill sets, certifications, and competency standards; develop assessment frameworks to verify readiness prior to commissioning.
• Mentor and coach operations team members as they onboard; foster a culture of operational discipline, continuous improvement, and safety leadership.

• Develop preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance strategies and schedules for reciprocating engine fleets and balance‑of‑plant equipment, incorporating OEM recommendations and industry best practices.
• Define spare parts inventories, consumables stocking strategies, and long‑lead procurement requirements; coordinate with Procurement to ensure timely availability of critical materials.
• Oversee establishment of maintenance infrastructure including warehouse facilities, shop tooling, mobile equipment, and specialized diagnostic/testing equipment…