Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO) Manager

Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO) Manager

Talos Energy is a leading offshore energy company focused on offshore oil and gas exploration and production in the United States Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and offshore Mexico.  Talos Energy provides safe, reliable, and responsible energy production that powers our world and delivers energy prosperity to modern life.

Talos Energy is one of the largest independent companies in the Gulf of Mexico, with operations across a range of deepwater and shallow water assets in both the United States and Mexico.  Talos Energy aims to actively grow through a balanced focus on asset optimization, development and exploration while also seeking to add to its portfolio through acquisitions and business development.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO) Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the end-of-life operations of non-producing assets in the Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana State Waters. This role requires strategic planning, vendor management, and contract negotiation, alongside close coordination with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, compliance, efficiency, and operational effectiveness. The ARO Manager will lead complex projects to meet ARO requirements, manage logistics, and oversee their team’s procurement to ensure cost-effective operations. Extensive experience in well operations or structure removal is essential.  The role will be predominantly office-based and will liaise with production and facilities teams to maintain good working relationships and ensure efficient delivery of the objectives:

• Champion for Safety: Embrace the safety culture of transparent operations while following HSE policies and guidelines.
• Strategic Planning & Execution: Develop and execute long-term strategies for decommissioning and asset retirement, aligning operational activities with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Technical Support: Provide engineering support to lead teams to prepare programs and/or operations support for P&A projects. This shall include, but not be limited to, preparing project costing, and  bid documents, gathering and interpretation of well data, cement plugging design, log correlation, P&A well program preparation, trouble shooting and resolution of problems. Make recommendations to Senior Management for all activities associated with the P&A of wells. 
• Operations Support: Establish operations supervision team.  Activities include, but are not limited to, implementation of the P&A program, daily reporting, cost control, and ensuring that the work is completed in accordance with HSE policies, guidelines, and regulatory compliance. Supervisory duties include the oversight of duties of the well site-based P&A Supervisors and third-party subcontractors. Ensure implementation of simultaneous operations procedures and a seamless transition with offshore staff.
• Project & Vendor Management: Lead project planning and implementation, managing relationships with high-value vendors and contractors to ensure high standards in quality, compliance, and timely execution.  Coordination of morning and other operational meetings with Field personnel.
• Risk & Compliance Management: Collaborate with legal, finance, and environmental teams to manage risk, maintain compliance with environmental regulations, and adhere to ARO liabilities.
• Financial Oversight: Manage a $100M budget, ensuring cost optimization and procurement efficiency across departments to improve operational margins.
• Team Leadership: Lead a cross-functional team of employees, driving organizational transformation and optimizing workflow across procurement, logistics, and operations.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the main point of contact for regulatory bodies, government agencies, and trade associations to ensure compliance and foster positive relationships.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from accredited 4-year university
• Professional Experience: 15 years of progressive experience in ARO operations, preferably with a strong background in well operations or the removal of structures.
• Team Leadership: Direct experience managing teams across procurement, logistics, and operations functions.
• Contract & Vendor Management: Proven track record in managing complex, high-value contracts, and vendor relationships.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Regulatory Compliance: Strong knowledge of ARO-related regulations, particularly in decommissioning and environmental safety.
• Negotiation & Contract Management: Expertise in negotiating complex, high-value contracts and managing vendor relationships to meet project and operational needs.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage large-scale, complex projects, with a preference for those holding a PMP or similar certification.
• Financial Management: Demonstrated skill in managing high-value budgets, cost control, and implementing cost-saving measures.
• Leadership & Change Management: Experience leading large, diverse teams and driving strategic change in a complex environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Employee must be able to sit for extended periods of time and have use of arms and hands in repetitive motion. A fair amount of standing and walking is also required for the position.
• Ability to travel internationally if required.
• Ability to travel to make site visits to vendor facilities, offshore assets and other Talos office locations as required.
• Ability to travel without limitation, including airplanes, helicopters, and boats.
• Ability to utilize swing ropes to access platforms offshore as required.
• Ability to move freely on offshore assets, including stairs, ladders and lifting up to 50-lbs, and endure extreme weather conditions and hazardous atmospheres.