Study Manager

Building on our past. Ready for the future

Worley is a global professional services company of energy, chemicals and resources experts. We partner with customers to deliver projects and create value over the life of their assets. We’re bridging two worlds, moving towards more sustainable energy sources, while helping to provide the energy, chemicals and resources needed now.

Major Accountabilities of Position:

• Study and small project delivery:
  • Plan, lead and deliver small-value Worley studies, small Front End Engineering Design packages, plant modification projects and engineering packages from Conceptual Engineering through Pre-Front End Engineering
  • Design, Front End Engineering Design and selected Detailed Design scope.
  • Prepare and control the study execution plan, deliverable register, assumptions register, decision register, action tracker, risk register and stakeholder engagement plan.
  • Coordinate multi-discipline work so that process, safety, layout, mechanical, piping, pipeline, electrical, instrumentation, civil, structural, estimating, planning, procurement, construction, commissioning and start-up inputs are integrated from the outset.
  • Ensure outputs are sufficiently mature for the agreed project phase, the required estimate class, the next investment or execution gate, and where applicable procurement, shutdown, turnaround, commissioning and start-up planning.
• Conceptual engineering, option identification and debottlenecking:
  • Lead conceptual engineering for existing facilities, small projects, small Front End Engineering Design packages and plant modifications, including definition of constraints, operating cases, bottlenecks, interfaces, battery limits and technical success criteria.
  • Identify feasible development, debottlenecking and implementation options using process engineering judgement, site data, operating history, process models, equipment adequacy checks and discipline inputs.
  • Eliminate non-viable or uneconomic options early, shortlist practical options, and define each shortlisted option to a comparable level of maturity for fair technical and economic evaluation.
  • Develop the selected scheme to the depth required for Front End Engineering Design and, where required, support transition into Detailed Design, procurement support, construction planning, shutdown execution, commissioning and start-up.
• Technical and economic evaluation of options:
  • Lead structured option evaluation covering safety, operability, constructability, maintainability, capital cost, operating cost, schedule, shutdown and turnaround impact, production value, risk, carbon / energy impact where relevant, procurement constraints, commissioning needs, start-up risk and implementation complexity.
  • Work with estimators, planners and discipline leads to produce realistic option cost and schedule inputs appropriate to the study phase
  • Prepare option selection reports, decision papers and recommendation packs suitable for senior management approval.
  • Defend technical and commercial recommendations when challenged by client stakeholders, asset teams, reviewers and management committees.
• Governance, quality, assurance and decision defensibility:
  • Ensure all study outputs are based on approved data, documented assumptions, clear exclusions, appropriate engineering standards and defined review cycles.
  • Maintain decision traceability through assumptions, option screening criteria, risk registers, minutes, action close-out and client approval records
  • Drive interdisciplinary reviews, technical checks, value reviews, hazard review preparation and management review readiness.
  • Challenge weak discipline inputs, unsupported assumptions, optimistic schedules and hidden scope so that issues are closed before they become client, site or execution problems.
• Commercial, schedule and small-project control:
  • Manage the study, small Front End Engineering Design, plant modification or small-project scope, budget, schedule, progress reporting, resource forecast and change control in line with Worley procedures and agreed client requirements.
  • Recognise scope growth early and ensure additional work, review cycles, site visits, vendor support, data gaps or rework are raised through the correct change process.
  • Support preparation of proposals, schedules, estimates, execution plans and technical qualifications for new studies and small projects.
  • Ensure the delivery model is proportionate to the project value, avoiding unnecessary over-engineering while still protecting technicalquality, constructability, procurement readiness, commissioning readiness and Worley risk position.
• Procurement, shutdown, commissioning and start-up interface:
  • Work with procurement teams to ensure study and Front End Engineering Design outputs define the right vendor packages, long-lead items, technical requisition inputs, enquiry support needs and vendor information requirements.
  • Liaise with construction, commissioning and start-up teams so that plant modifications are practical to install, test, commission and start within planned shutdown or turnaround windows.
  • Ensure shutdown and turnaround constraints are considered during option selection, including isolation, access, lifting, tie-ins, temporary operations, pre-shutdown work, reinstatement and restart risk
  • Capture procurement, commissioning and start-up risks in the study risk register and ensure they are reflected in the selected scheme definition.
• People leadership, conflict resolution and team performance:
  • Lead multi-discipline teams in a direct, calm and practical manner, setting clear expectations for deliverables, interfaces, review dates, quality and decision deadlines.
  • Resolve conflicts between disciplines, client stakeholders, operations, vendors and internal teams while keeping the study moving toward defensible decisions
  • Coach less experienced engineers in front-end thinking, option development, stakeholder handling and study discipline.
  • Create a team environment where technical challenge is encouraged and decisions are brought to closure in a controlled and respectful way.
• Business development and client growth:
  • Identify follow-on opportunities arising from studies, brownfield constraints, debottlenecking opportunities, implementation phases and client strategic priorities.
  • Support Worley proposals with credible scopes, assumptions, execution strategies, deliverable lists, estimates and technical differentiators.
  • Represent Worley professionally in client meetings, workshops and industry discussions.
  • Demonstrate value through practical technical insight, disciplined option definition and clear business cases rather than generic sales language.
• Health, safety and environmental leadership:
  • Demonstrate visible and active commitment to personal safety, process safety, healthy workplaces and environmental performance.
  • Ensure safety, environmental and operability risks are considered from the earliest option identification stage and carried through into scheme definition, shutdown planning, commissioning and start-up readiness.
  • Support Worley requirements for safe execution, safe design, risk management and continuous improvement.

Knowledge / Experience / Competencies Required :

• Business Acumen and Technical Capability:
  • Chemical Engineering degree with a strong Process Engineering background. The role requires practical front-end process judgement, not generic coordination.
  • Excellent experience in Conceptual Engineering, Pre-Front End Engineering Design, Front End Engineering Design, small Front End Engineering Design packages, plant modifications and small Detailed Design assignments for brownfield and greenfield facilities.
  • Strong experience in debottlenecking existing process facilities, including operating constraint definition, process model review, equipment adequacy checks, utility checks, tie-in definition, constructability, procurement constraints, commissioning needs, start-up requirements, shutdown impact and plant turnaround planning.
  • Ability to lead option identification, option screening, option definition, technical evaluation, economic evaluation and recommendation of preferred schemes.
  • Capable of developing the selected scheme to a level suitable for carry-over into Front End Engineering Design and, where required, Detailed Design.
  • Experienced in producing or leading process deliverables including process design basis, heat and material balance, process simulations, process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, equipment sizing, line sizing, process datasheets, utility summaries, relief and safeguarding inputs, and technical study reports
  • Understands engineering cost estimating, schedule estimating, value drivers, operating cost impacts and business case development at front-end maturity
  • Strong understanding of applicable local and international standards, statutory requirements, client engineering standards and contractor execution practices.
• Customer Focus and Stakeholder Management:
  • Able to deal confidently with top-level client management, internal senior management, asset managers, operations managers, technical authorities, project teams, vendors, licensors and other stakeholders.
  • Can present difficult technical and economic choices clearly, including risks, assumptions, uncertainties and consequences.
  • Able to withstand intense scrutiny of recommendations and defend decisions using evidence, clear assumptions, sound judgement and concise presentation material.
  • Can build client trust while still protecting Worley scope, commercial position, technical integrity and project governance.
  • Strong workshop leadership capability, including option framing, brainstorming, risk review, decision workshops and management alignment sessions.
• Communication and Presentation:
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare concise executive summaries, decision papers, technical reports, proposals and presentation material.
  • Excellent presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex process and engineering issues to non-specialist senior stakeholders without dumbing down the technical basis.
  • Capable of communicating bad news, constraints, risks and rejected options professionally and directly.
  • Exercises sound judgement on when to simplify, when to escalate and when to challenge.
• Results Driven:
  • Strong solution orientation with the ability to identify the real problem, frame practical options and move stakeholders toward a decision
  • Comfortable working with incomplete front-end data, provided assumptions and uncertainties are documented and managed.
  • Able to deliver high-quality outputs in small-project environments where resources, budgets and schedules are tight
  • Balances technical accuracy, commercial practicality and schedule discipline.
• Teamwork and Conflict Resolution:
  • Excellent leadership, team management, coaching, mentoring and supervisory skills.
  • Proven ability to manage and resolve conflict between individuals, disciplines, clients, vendors and stakeholder groups.Negotiates outcomes that achieve the required technical and business objectives and maintain stakeholder acceptance where possible.
  • Creates a constructive team environment based on respect, accountability, technical challenge and delivery discipline.
• Health, Safety and Environmental Capability:
  • Demonstrates visible and active commitment to personal well-being, healthy and safe workplaces and continuous improvement of health, safety and environmental performance.
  • Understands that early option decisions can lock in safety, environmental, operability and lifecycle risks.
  • Ensures safety, environmental and operational risks are considered in option selection and scheme definition.
• Information Technology and Engineering Tools:
  • Competent in relevant engineering, planning, reporting and presentation tools required for the role.
  • Familiarity with process simulation tools such as Aspen HYSYS or equivalent is preferred.
  • Competent in Microsoft Office, project reporting tools, document control systems and collaborative engineering environments.
• Personal Integrity and Ownership:
  • Conducts business in a direct, honest and fair manner, especially on difficult technical, commercial and stakeholder issues.
  • Takes ownership of recommendations and accepts accountability for study quality, decision traceability and stakeholder communication.
  • Seen as credible, calm, technically strong and commercially aware.
  • Does not hide weak assumptions, poor data, schedule risk or unresolved decisions.
• Innovation and Practicality:
  • Identifies innovative but practical solutions for brownfield constraints, debottlenecking, phasing, modularisation, tie-ins, procurement support, shutdown reduction, plant turnaround execution, commissioning readiness and implementation simplicity.
  • Can look beyond standard solutions while remaining grounded in proven engineering, safety and cost reality.
  • Avoids unnecessary over-engineering on small-value projects while ensuring the solution remains safe, operable and suitable for the next project phase.
• Extent of Guidance or Control:
  • Works under general direction of the Project Manager, General Manager, Director of Studies or delegated manager.
  • Has significant freedom to structure and lead the technical study approach within agreed scope, budget, schedule and Worley governance requirements.
  • Expected to escalate material scope, cost, schedule, quality, safety, stakeholder or commercial issues in a timely manner.
• Decision Making:
  • Has authority to recommend study approach, option screening criteria, deliverable strategy, meeting structure, review process and issue readiness for assigned studies
  • Has authority to challenge and reject inadequate discipline inputs before client issue, subject to Worley quality and approval processes.
  • Recommends preferred technical options and scheme definitions; investment approval, contract approval and final commercial commitments remain with authorised management and client decision makers.
• Budgetary Responsibility:
  • Manages assigned study or small-project budget, resource forecast and progress reporting in coordination with the Project Manager and Project Controls.
  • Identifies scope growth and supports change management, including technical justification for variations where required.
  • May support preparation of study and small-project estimates, proposals and resource plans.
• Impact of Decisions on Results:
  • Decisions influence project viability, client investment direction, Worley commercial exposure, study quality, delivery performance and follow-on work.
  • Poor option framing or weak scheme definition can result in rework, wrong investment decisions, cost growth, schedule delay, safety risk and loss of client confidence.
• Position Significance Relative to Total Organisation:
  • Important role for growth and delivery of front-end, brownfield, debottlenecking and small-project work within Worley.
  • Provides a bridge between technical process leadership, project management, client business objectives and multi-discipline engineering execution.

• Required: Relevant engineering experience, with substantial experience in process-led front-end studies and small engineering projects.
• Preferred: 15+ years of experience, including at least 5 years leading Conceptual Engineering, Pre-Front End Engineering Design, Front End Engineering Design or small Detailed Design projects.
• Demonstrated experience in brownfield debottlenecking, option identification, option selection, economic evaluation and scheme definition.
• Experience working in or with engineering consultancies, front-end engineering companies, engineering contractors and client organisations.
• Experience in oil, gas, refining, petrochemical, chemicals, energy transition or industrial process facilities is preferred.
• Experience presenting to senior client stakeholders, steering committees or management decision boards is required.

• Required: Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent recognised qualification.
• Required: strong Process Engineering background.
• Preferred: Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional registration.
• Preferred: postgraduate qualification in engineering, project management, business, economics or a relevant technical subject.
• Project management training or certification is beneficial, but must not substitute for strong process and front-end engineering capability.
   

Moving forward together

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