Director of Operations, Institutional - Education Sector | General Contractor | Riverside County, CA - MyGreat Recruitment
Job Description
Director/Regional VP of Operations - General Contractor - Education Sector - DSA
Overview
Our client, a highly respected General Contractor, is seeking an accomplished Project Leader to take on a VP/Director of Operations role on their leadership team in Southern California. This firm is well known for delivering high-quality construction projects across multiple sectors — including DSA regulated K-14 education, OSHPD/NCAI regulated healthcare, and many other institutional & commercial facilities.
Must Haves
- Minimum of 15 years of experience managing large-scale construction projects with increasing responsibility.
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success leading operations or large project portfolios exceeding $100M in total value.
- Strong background in general contracting with expertise in preconstruction, estimating, and project delivery.
- Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of mentoring and developing project management teams.
- Proven ability to manage client relationships, negotiate contracts, and maintain strong partnerships with owners, architects, engineers, and trade partners.
- Deep understanding of risk management, cost control, scheduling, and operational strategy.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and industry-standard construction management software.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and decision-making skills.
- Unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and team success.
Nice to Haves
- Experience in K-14 education, civic, and healthcare construction environments.
- Prior experience in a regional or divisional operations leadership capacity.
- Advanced degree (MBA, MS in Construction Management, or similar).
- Familiarity with lean construction methodologies and continuous improvement frameworks.
- Proven success implementing operational efficiencies or standardization initiatives.
- Active involvement in professional associations or community organizations.
- Familiarity with California DSA (Division of the State Architect) processes and compliance.
Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee regional operations to ensure projects are executed safely, efficiently, and profitably.
- Provide strategic direction, leadership, and mentorship to project management and field operations teams.
- Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and implement company-wide initiatives, strategic plans, and growth objectives.
- Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Partner with pre-construction, estimating, and business development teams to align project opportunities with company goals.
- Build and maintain long-term relationships with key clients, consultants, and trade partners.
- Drive operational consistency across teams and promote best practices in project delivery.
- Identify and mitigate risks while ensuring adherence to contractual, financial, and safety obligations.
- Represent the company in industry and community forums to strengthen its market presence.
- Champion the organization's core values.