Head of Group Exploration Excellence

Location: Budapest, MOL Campus, XI. district (Easily accessible via Tram 1, Buses 107/154, or by car)

About the role:

Join MOL Group’s Exploration and Production (E&P) leadership team in a pivotal role where you will elevate technical assurance standards, drive exploration capability and excellence across a diverse international portfolio and influence strategic directon of MOL exploration along with the existing leadership team. Your leadership will directly influence upstream growth and value creation in Central and Eastern Europe and internationally. Reports to Group VP Exploration.

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team of up to 5 direct reports and ~26 FTEs across key technical domains including technical assurance, seismic acquisition and processing, basin modeling, and data innovation.

• Shape and challenge the Group Exploration Strategy, ensuring portfolio quality, technical excellence, and delivery alignment with business goals and key objectives.

• Drive technical assurance and capability development, overseeing competency gap analysis and closure across the exploration organization.

• Own and optimize seismic acquisition and processing operations, ensuring fit-for-purpose solutions that support Op Co (operating company) delivery.

• Champion safety and people leadership, fostering a high-performance culture through mentoring, coaching, and talent development.

• Integrate emerging data science and basin modeling approaches to enhance exploration effectiveness,  innovation and delivery.

Educational Background: University M.Sc. minimum degree in technical disciplines in one of Geology or Geophysics.

Professional Experience: Bringing over 20 years of international experience in leading Exploration and Joint Venture projects - including New Ventures evaluation and operational delivery - paired with proven excellence in safety and people leadership, knowledge of best practices in technical assurance and basin derisking in new or mature exploration provinces.

Technical Skills:

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English,

• Strong grasp of petroleum exploration principles and basin analysis methodologies

• Expertise in Play-Based Exploration and prospect/play assessment applying fit for purpose  geology and geophysics derisking methodologies

• Proficiency in exploration assurance processes

• Experience in portfolio analysis and strategic asset management

• Solid understanding of upstream contracts and their implications for exploration activities

Mindset & Interpersonal skills:

• Collaborative team player with excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

• Proactive and adaptable mindset with a strong drive to deliver results.

• Skilled in identifying, analyzing, and solving complex problems.

• Creative and innovative thinker, able to unlock new exploration opportunities.

• Strategic thinker capable of high-level project assessment with limited data.

• Strategic Influence: Shape MOL Group’s exploration strategy and directly impact upstream growth across international assets

• Executive Visibility: Report to the Group VP Exploration and collaborate with senior leadership on high-value and impact decisions.

• Legacy Leadership: Build and mentor a high-performing technical team, leaving a lasting mark on MOL’s exploration excellence.

• Innovation Driver: Lead the integration of cutting-edge geoscience, data innovation, and basin modeling to unlock new value.

• Global Reach: Operate across a diverse portfolio in Central and Eastern Europe and internationally, influencing regional energy futures.

• Culture of Excellence: Thrive in a performance-driven environment that values bold thinking, technical rigor, and continuous improvement.