Operations Programs Advisor

BP is seeking a strategic and technically proficient Operations Programs Advisor to lead critical geospatial and integrity-focused initiatives across our U.S. midstream operations. This role will manage cross-functional programs in Right-of-Way (RoW) vegetation management, Low Depth of Cover (DoC) risk mitigation, Idle and Abandoned asset digitization, Drone Inspection Program management, and development of the Talon360 aerial threat detection initiative. The ideal candidate will combine operational insight with geospatial expertise to safeguard pipeline assets, ensure regulatory compliance, and guide long-term capital planning. They will also serve as the steward for field relationships with our damage prevention technicians, team leaders, local operations, and 30+ third-party vegetation management contractors and foremen.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead BP’s national RoW Vegetation Management Program: Develop and oversee optimized planning models, contractor coordination strategies, and compliance reporting. Drive execution through field-ready deliverables while running the nationwide annual budget for tree clearing, mowing, maintenance, and herbicide application. Coordinate across seven or more regional clearing contractors with region-specific kickoffs each year.

- Lead the Low Depth of Cover (DoC) Risk Program: Oversee the full-cycle management of depth-of-cover data and evolving threats, adjusting prioritization models based on new inputs. Guide mitigation planning through annual and multi-year (3–5 year) capital allocation strategies. Own all workflows related to DoC threat analysis, mitigation selection, Do-Not-Farm (DNF) designations, DNF inspections, and farmer scoring.

- Oversee Digitization & Risk Assessment of Idle and Abandoned Assets: Spearhead the transformation of legacy pipeline records into modern geospatial databases. Guide alignment with PHMSA regulations and internal standards, and prioritize asset retirement, repurposing, or monitoring.

- Lead the Drone Inspection Program: Oversee full-cycle management of BP’s drone program for 35+ field drone pilots. Maintain and evolve drone-related software systems, image databases, and digital workflows. Ensure seamless integration of drone-collected imagery into existing inspection and reporting systems. Advance drone program capabilities across field inspections, facility assessments, and remote tele-operated inspections, continually pushing innovation in partnership with U.S.-based teams.

- Drive Development of Talon360 Aerial Threat Detection: Lead collaboration and technical development efforts with our aerial patrol provider. Manage enhancements and operationalization of Talon360’s threat detection capabilities, integrating advanced risk analytics, automated alerts, and real-time threat visibility to safeguard assets and improve inspection effectiveness. This is BP’s largest opportunity for improvement in reducing line strikes, with significant upside potential in partnership with our aerial patrol provider and development partner. Additionally, this includes the implementation of satellite inspection technology for high-risk "blue zones" via Talon360.

- Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Team Collaboration: Act as liaison between GIS analysts, integrity engineers, legal teams, field personnel, and executive leadership. Present risk findings, remediation priorities, and resource needs with clarity and confidence. Serve as a primary steward for the 30+ third-party vegetation management and clearing contractors, while also leading the transition of outsourced geospatial and program support tasks to the TSI (Technical Services India) team.

- Drive Innovation & Efficiency: Implement Python-based automation, ArcGIS Enterprise tools, and AI/ML workflows to accelerate risk modeling, asset mapping, and reporting. Possess the technical fluency to understand and translate complex GIS, data, and prioritization processes to non-technical collaborators. Summarize key outputs and workflows for leadership and cross-functional teams to support operational and strategic decision-making.

Requirements

- A minimum of an Associate Degree

- 5+ years experience in program or project management within energy or pipeline industries

- Proven experience managing large-scale GIS programs within pipeline, utilities, or infrastructure sectors.

- Strong command of spatial risk modeling, vegetation/terrain analysis, and PHMSA pipeline compliance.

- Leadership in developing geospatial strategies and tools influencing field execution and capital planning.

- Technical proficiency with ArcGIS Pro, Enterprise/Portal, Python, ModelBuilder, and remote sensing platforms.

- Ability to coordinate across fields and communicate geospatial priorities to non-GIS stakeholders.

- Experience with idle/abandoned asset workflows, including digitization of ROW agreements and regulatory alignment.

- Familiarity with drone technology and aerial threat detection systems, especially DroneDeploy and Talon360.

- Must be legally authorized to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Environmental Science, Geoscience, GIS, or Engineering

- Familiarity with vegetation clearance cycles, DoC regulations, drone-based inspections, and asset retirement best practices

How much do we pay? The pay range for this position is $121,000 - $225,000

- Note that the pay range listed for this position is a genuinely expected and reasonable estimate of the range of possible base compensation at the time of posting.

This position is eligible for Core U.S. Benefits. This position offers paid vacation depending on your years of relevant industry experience and will range from 120 – 240 hours of vacation per year for full time employees. You will also be eligible for 9 paid holidays per year and 2 personal choice holidays. You may learn more about how we calculate paid vacation and view our generous vacation and holiday schedules at Core U.S. Benefits. Bp has a parental leave policy as well, which offers up to 8 weeks’ paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. Learn more by visiting Core U.S. Benefits.

We offer a reward package to enable your work to fit with your life. These offerings include a discretionary annual bonus program, long-term incentive program, and generous retirement benefits that include a 401k matching program. These benefits include a pension for eligible employee. You may learn more about our generous benefits at Core U.S. Benefits.

As part of bp’s wellbeing package, bp offers access to health, vision, and dental insurance, as well as life and Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability. You may learn more about our generous benefits at Core U.S. Benefits.

Why join us!

At bp, we support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and exciting environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment in which everyone is respected and treated fairly.

There are many aspects of our employees’ lives that are important, so we offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life. These benefits can include flexible working options, a generous paid parental leave policy, and excellent retirement benefits, among others!

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.