Operational Director and Technical Authority

Operational Director and Technical Authority.

Experience:20-25+Years

Location: Singapore

Qualification: Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering (Instrumentation, Electrical, or Control Systems) or Cybersecurity / Computer Science

The Role Overview

We are seeking a senior leader to serve as a Principal Consultant, responsible for global operations, technical authority, and delivery across all OT domains (engineering, cybersecurity, and industrial digitalisation).

This role represents a rare combination of deep hands-on ICSS engineering expertise, Functional safety leadership, OT cybersecurity governance and Industrial digital transformation experience

You will provide end-to-end accountability across strategy, engineering governance, delivery execution, and organisational capability development in complex industrial environments such as FPSOs, LNG facilities, petrochemical plants, and refineries.

Expertise

Technical: Strategic Leadership & Technical Authority, Operations & Delivery Management, OT Cybersecurity & Risk Management, Engineering, Functional Safety & Assurance, Digitalisation & Industry 4.0, Business Development & Partnerships, Organisational Development

Operational: Oversee Daily Operations, Resource Management, Process Improvement, Team Leadership, Performance Monitoring, Collaboration, Budget Management, Quality Assurance

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Director

• Oversee Daily Operations: Manage and coordinate the daily activities of the organization to ensure smooth operations and efficiency.

• Resource Management: Allocate resources effectively, including manpower, material, and budgets, to maximize productivity and profitability.

• Process Improvement: Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to enhance systems and processes, ensuring compliance with legal regulations and internal standards.

• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor teams, fostering a productive work environment and encouraging employee development.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor and evaluate team performance, providing coaching and feedback to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaboration: Work cross-departmentally to align operations with organizational objectives and maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers.

• Budget Management: Handle budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation to meet strategic goals.
• Quality Assurance: Implement quality assurance measures and monitor production KPIs to ensure high standards of service and product delivery.

2. Strategic Leadership & Technical Authority

• Define and execute global strategy across:
• OT Cybersecurity (CSMS, SOC)
• OT Digitalisation
• ICSS engineering governance

• Serve as Technical Authority across OT, ICSS, and Cybersecurity domains, providing independent technical assurance and approval
• Establish and govern engineering, safety, and cybersecurity frameworks aligned with:

• IEC 62443, IEC 61511/61508
• NIST, ISO/IEC 27001
• Major IOC/NOC/operator standards
• Provide technical direction and governance across global projects and operational assets.
• 3. Operations & Delivery Management

• Lead global engineering and delivery teams across multiple regions
• Manage execution across:
• Design (FEED / Detailed Design / EPCI)
• Commissioning and startup
• Operational OT programmes

• Own delivery performance including:
• Revenue and cost management
• Resource planning and utilisation
• Schedule and quality control

• Lead technical bid development, proposals, and contract negotiations
• Standardise engineering deliverables, document control, and project governance aligned with ISO 9001

4. OT Cybersecurity & Risk Management

• Lead design and implementation of OT Cybersecurity Management Systems (CSMS)
• Govern:
• Network segmentation (zones & conduits)
• Secure remote access and monitoring architecture

• Define and implement:
• Vulnerability and patch management
• Incident response frameworks

• Lead and facilitate risk assessments including:
• CyberPHA, CSHAZOP, HLRA, DLRA
• Ensure compliance with operator cybersecurity requirements and regulatory expectations

5. Engineering, Functional Safety & Assurance

• Provide technical oversight across ICSS platforms and OT architecture (Purdue model)
• Govern development and approval of:
• Functional Design Specifications (FDS)

• Detailed Design Specifications (DDS)
• Control logic and system architectures
• Lead and facilitate:
• HAZOP / CHAZOP workshops
• Functional Safety Assessments (FSA Stages 1-3)
• SIL verification and validation
• Oversee FAT, SAT, commissioning, and system acceptance processes
• Govern. brownfield modifications, hot cutovers, and live system migrations

6. Digitalisation & Industry 4.0

• Drive digital transformation initiatives including:
• Predictive maintenance (AI/ML)
• Digital Twin and simulation
• Unified Namespace (UNS) and data architecture
• IIoT and edge computing
• Govern data integration and interoperability using OPC-UA, MQTT, and modern industrial protocols
• Lead development of digital platforms and evaluate emerging technologies

7. Business Development & Partnerships

• Lead technical solutioning and proposal development for major global clients
• Engage with senior stakeholders across operators, EPCs, and technology providers
• Establish and manage strategic partnerships with OEMs and technology vendors
• Identify and develop new business opportunities across OT cybersecurity and digitalisation

8. Organisational Development

• Build and lead high-performance global teams
• Define competency frameworks, training, and certification programmes
• Establish operational systems including:
• Project governance frameworks
• Document management systems
• Engineering standards and workflows
• Drive continuous improvement aligned with ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 27001

Job Requirements

Operational Director

• Developing and implementing company policies
• Supervising and training employees to complete tasks according to company standards
• Coordinating with department heads to achieve organizational goals

• Improving work processes to increase productivity or reduce waste
• Evaluating employee performance by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs)

• Identifying opportunities to increase revenue or connect with new customers

Technical Authority

• Strong knowledge of:
• OT cybersecurity frameworks (IEC 62443, NIST, ISO)
• Functional safety (IEC 61511 / IEC 61508)
• Engineering lifecycle standards and commissioning practices

• Hands-on expertise in:
• DCS, SIS, PLC, SCADA systems
• OT network architecture and industrial protocols
• Secure remote access, SIEM/SOC, and virtualisation environments
• Experiencewith major OEM platforms and industrial automation systems
• Exposure to Industry 4.0 technologies including AI/ML, Digital Twin, and IIoT
• Exposure to HAZOP, CHAZOP, PHA
• Experience with conducting FSA, OT Cybersecurity Risk assessment
• Certificates will be added advantage.