Executive Search: Director of Project Management for a Midstream Pipeline Company

Challenge:

Defining a Critical Project Leadership Role for a Growing Midstream Pipeline Company

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The Vice President of Administration, working closely with executive leadership, set out to define the skills, experience, and leadership qualities needed in a Director of Project Management. This pivotal role was to manage new pipeline infrastructure and support the company’s rapid growth trajectory.

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The company had been founded a few years earlier and was already scaling quickly:

• They had recently completed an IPO

• Operated as a private equity–backed organization

• And many of the original leaders had worked together at a prior company
   

To evolve beyond a founder-led environment, the leadership team was looking for someone who could bring:

• New ideas and a fresh perspective

• Deep expertise in pipeline engineering and project execution

• And the ability to integrate into a high-accountability, fast-paced culture
   

The goal was to bring in a leader who could step into a strategic role and help the company move into its next phase of growth.

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Solution: Mapping the Market and Aligning the Interview Process

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To support the company’s vision and growth goals, TLR Search conducted a strategic, high-touch executive search focused on leadership alignment and project execution excellence.

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We began by market-mapping for top talent:

• Identified a diverse slate of candidates, including representation across gender and ethnic backgrounds

• Prioritized professionals with deep experience in pipeline engineering, capital project management, and midstream operations

• Focused on both technical credentials and leadership traits that would complement the existing executive team
   

The first slate of candidates was strong, but none felt like the right long-term fit. Instead of restarting the search from scratch, we helped the company pause and realign:

• Benchmarked the initial candidates to clarify what was missing

• Facilitated a conversation to re-visualize the ideal finalist, looking at skills, style, and leadership approach

• Shared feedback on how the interview process might be refined to uncover those attributes more clearly
   

As the second slate of candidates came forward, our Managing Director was invited to attend interviews to observe team dynamics and provide additional insights.

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This collaborative approach allowed the hiring team clarity. 

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Result: Strong Finalist Identified Ahead of Strategic Company Milestone

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The search culminated in an offer to a finalist who brought:

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• Deep expertise in pipeline engineering and project management

• Fresh perspective aligned with the company’s evolving strategy

• A leadership style that complemented the existing executive team
   

The company was enthusiastic about the candidate and the value he could bring. However, the company entered an acquisition phase shortly after the offer was made. Given the uncertainty, they made the strategic decision to pause the hire, even though the candidate remained a strong fit.

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While the offer was ultimately rescinded due to timing, the process delivered:

• Clear internal alignment on the ideal candidate profile

• Market benchmarking to support future hiring decisions

• Proof that top-tier, diverse candidates were interested in the opportunity
   

The search confirmed the company’s vision for the role and laid the foundation for future hires as the organization grew and evolved through acquisition.

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Need a strategic leader to guide critical infrastructure projects, especially during pivotal growth moments?

 

Let’s align your vision with talent that can lead through change.

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