Summary
Mining and Drilling Managers (KeSCO 1322) supports outcomes in the Management & Leadership (Cross-sector) sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Management & Leadership (Cross-sector)ManagementPublic AdministrationCorporate LeadershipNGO/DevelopmentCross-sector
Description
Mining and Drilling Managers (KeSCO 1322) supports outcomes in the Management & Leadership (Cross-sector) sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
- Set goals, plans, and performance targets aligned to organisational strategy
- Develop budgets, allocate resources, and monitor utilisation
- Supervise staff: assign duties, coach performance, and conduct appraisals
- Coordinate inter-departmental work and manage stakeholder expectations
- Oversee policy implementation, governance, and compliance requirements
- Manage projects and programmes: planning, execution, monitoring, reporting
- Monitor risks, implement controls, and respond to incidents or crises
- Strengthen service delivery through process improvement and innovation
- Oversee procurement/contract management and vendor performance
- Represent the organisation in meetings, negotiations, and public engagements
- Ensure timely reporting, documentation, and accountability requirements
- Promote ethical conduct, transparency, and a results-oriented culture
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
- Communication (verbal and written)
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Time management and prioritisation
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Customer service orientation
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Adaptability and continuous learning
- Decision-making and judgement
- Documentation and record-keeping
- Digital literacy (basic)
- Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
- Use of hand and power tools safely
- Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
- Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
- Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
- Quality control and workmanship standards
- Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
- Workplace safety and PPE usage
- Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
- Material handling and storage
- Site readiness and task planning
- Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
- Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
- Negotiation and stakeholder management
- Conflict resolution
- Presentation and public speaking
- Creativity and innovation
- Emotional intelligence
- Planning and organisation
- Resilience and stress management
- Service mindset and empathy
- Networking and relationship building
- Analytical thinking
- Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
- Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
- Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
- First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (business, law, economics, public administration, sector field) | Entry through junior professional roles → supervisory roles → middle management | Leadership and governance training (ethics, public finance, strategy, performance management) | Continuous development (executive education, postgraduate studies, sector certifications)
Pathways
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (business, law, economics, public administration, sector field)
- Entry through junior professional roles → supervisory roles → middle management
- Leadership and governance training (ethics, public finance, strategy, performance management)
- Continuous development (executive education, postgraduate studies, sector certifications)
Relevant courses
- Business Administration
- Accounting and Finance
- Economics
- Human Resource Management
- Procurement and Supply Chain
- Project Management fundamentals
- Marketing and Sales
- Public Administration / Governance
- Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) fundamentals
- Customer Service / Service Excellence
Institutions
- Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
- National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
- Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
- Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
- Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
- Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
- Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
- Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
- Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
- Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
- Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
- Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
- Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
- Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
- Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Office-based | Meetings | Stakeholder engagement | Decision-making | Travel/field visits
Where they work
- Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possiblePublic sector leadership rolesCorporate executive rolesBoard/committee engagements possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 80,000 – 150,000
Mid level
KES 150,000 – 300,000
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 80,000 – 150,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 150,000 – 300,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 300,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Gain a relevant degree, build experience in the sector, move into supervisory roles and develop leadership, financial and people-management skills.
Career progression
- Assistant/Officer roles → Supervisor → Manager → Senior Manager/Director → Executive/CEO
- Possible movement into board/committee leadership and high-level advisory roles
Related occupations
- Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
- Support roles in the same sector/industry
- Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
- Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
1322-11 — Manager, Mining and Drilling
Manager, Mining And Drilling is responsible for develop and implement plans to ensure the safety of all mine personnel establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with mine personnel, government agencies, and the public develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations supervise the development and implementation of the mine’s ventilation system oversee the development and maintenance of the mine’s electrical system manage the construction and maintenance of the mine’s buildings and infrastructure plan and oversee the drilling, blasting, and hauling operations control the budget and expenditures for the mine within their professional field.
1322-13 — Manager, Mining and Processing
Manager, Mining And Processing is responsible for develop and implement strategic plans for mining and processing operations ensure compliance with safety regulations and implement measures to minimize risks and accidents oversee the selection, maintenance and utilization of mining and processing equipment manage the financial aspects of mining and processing operations within their professional field.
1322-12 — Manager, Quarrying
Manager, Quarrying is responsible for ensure that the quarry site is operated and maintained in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner oversee the extraction of stone and other materials from the quarry, ensuring compliance with all safety regulations manage the crushing and screening operations at the quarry, ensuring production targets are met coordinate the delivery of raw materials to customers, ensuring timely and accurate shipments maintain inventory levels of finished products and raw materials, ordering new supplies as needed supervise the maintenance and repair of all quarry equipment, including vehicles, machinery, and tools within their professional field.