Job Summary
The Director, Regulatory provides senior-level leadership over a high-performing, multi-function team responsible for pipeline safety, regulatory compliance, and the company's Operations Management System (OMS). This role is accountable for maturing the department to meet the demands of a growing, fast-paced organization — elevating team leadership capacity, driving proactive performance improvement, and ensuring the company remains ahead of an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
The role requires a strategic mindset and strong business acumen, with knowledge and direct experience in multi-functional team leadership, operations and pipeline safety management system (OMS and PSMS) governance, compliance strategy, budget accountability, and oversight of due diligence activities supporting acquisitions and divestitures. Functional scope spans pipeline safety and regulatory compliance alongside governance of the company's Operations Management System (OMS), the framework through which the department drives operational excellence, learning, and continuous improvement. This position reports to the Vice President, Health, Safety, Environment and Security and is based in The Woodlands, TX. Key Responsibilities Provides senior-level leadership across the Pipeline Safety and Regulatory functions, with full accountability for compliance outcomes, risk management, costs, and timelines Actively develops and elevates direct-report managers, building both technical depth and leadership capability to enable a high-performing organization that allows the Director to operate at a strategic level
Establishes and continuously improves processes, systems, and standards that mature the function to system-driven compliance and performance outcomes
Influences the company's regulatory strategy, following emerging trends and rulemaking activity to position WES ahead of increasing regulatory complexity and translates that intelligence into actionable organizational direction
Partners cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Commercial, Finance and Legal to align regulatory priorities with broader business objectives and ensure seamless execution
Oversees governance and continuous maturity of the company's Operations Management System (OMS), driving its adoption across day-to-day work so it operates as a working management system rather than documentation
Ensures a rigorous OMS audit and learning framework is in place so the organization learns systematically from events and institutionalizes corrective and preventive actions
Connects OMS performance measurement (KPIs and periodic management reviews) to measurable gains in safety, environmental performance, operational reliability, and regulatory compliance
Leads or actively supports due diligence activities associated with acquisitions and divestitures, including evaluation of regulatory risk and integration of new scopes of work
Prepares and delivers executive-level reports and presentations on regulatory developments and strategic recommendations
Maintains and cultivates relationships with regulatory agencies and represents the company at external meetings and industry proceedings as needed
Identifies and acts on performance improvement opportunities across both the internal team and field operations, with a focus on proactive risk reduction and compliance excellence Skills & Leadership Embodies WES Core Values — Partnership, Resourcefulness, Performance, and Customer Focus — as a visible role model and cultural leader within the department and across the organization
Demonstrates senior-level leadership across a multi-function team, with a proven ability to develop managers into strong, self-sufficient leaders capable of operating with increasing independence and accountability
Maintains strategic focus while empowering direct reports to own their functions and grow their technical and leadership capabilities
Establishes and maintains a high-performance culture through intentional coaching, meaningful development conversations, and clear expectations at every level of the team
Brings personal technical credibility across pipeline safety, regulatory, and operations management systems, earning the trust of both the team and external stakeholders while leading primarily through others
Leads high-stakes conversations and decisions with confidence and sound judgment, including performance evaluations, promotion decisions, succession planning, and resolution of complex organizational or interpersonal challenges
Communicates with clarity at all levels from field operations to executive leadership and leverages influence effectively to drive alignment across functions
Exceptional ability to navigate ambiguity, take on new scopes of work, and lead the organization through change with steady, decisive leadership
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to balance technical depth, business priorities, and organizational needs simultaneously Required Knowledge & Experience Minimum 15 years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years leading managers or multi-function teams at a senior manager or director level
Oil and gas industry experience required, with a strong understanding of how regulations apply to midstream or upstream field operations; experience in adjacent industries such as utilities or petrochemical may be considered in combination with oil and gas exposure
Multi-site and corporate leadership experience required
Knowledge of PHMSA and FERC pipeline regulations, with particular depth in control room management, operations and maintenance, operator qualification, and public awareness and damage prevention requirements is required
Working knowledge of Texas and New Mexico pipeline and Class II SWD well permitting, regulations, and filings required; multi-state experience preferred
Working knowledge of operations management systems, pipeline safety management systems, and OSHA PSM, including audit, incident investigation, and continuous improvement practices; experience governing or lead-auditing an enterprise management system preferred
Demonstrated experience interacting with and influencing regulatory agencies
Proven track record of improvement at both the team and organizational level Education Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical or scientific field required
Relevant professional certifications are a plus Work Schedule Hybrid schedule: in-office Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (9 hours each); remote Wednesday (9 hours) and Friday (4 hours) 25-30% travel required