Director, Operations (Columbus, OH)

About this RoleThe Director, Operations leads full lifecycle delivery of large-scale Design-Build (DB)/ Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) programs and projects across an assigned portfolio, from pursuit phase through project close-out. This role owns leadership and development of assigned teams, client relationships, contract administration, and financial performance across multiple concurrent projects. The Director, Operations serves as the primary operational authority between executive leadership and the project management office (PMO) and field operations, and is accountable for project delivery, safety, quality, schedule, and cost outcomes across their assigned projects. This position may be required to perform aspects of project management-related duties from the site of the work and coordinates directly with executive management on operational decisions. What You'll Do Program, Project & PMO Leadership 37Leads assigned PMO spanning Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, Preconstruction, Cost, Scheduling, and Contracts37Manages integrated DB/EPC project teams from inception through completion, including during the pursuit phase37Owns PMO oversight of project delivery, escalation protocols, and reporting standards across Safety, Quality, Execution, and Cost37Develops and maintains program-level portfolio tracking covering schedule, cost, risk, and resource utilization across multi-site programs37Drives project execution strategy, including contract structures, change management, cost-of-work tracking, and preconstruction scope development37Provides overall direction and coordination of intermediate and final engineering design and construction activities37Leads multi-operating company teams to complete major projects across various service territories Project Delivery & Execution 37Directly supervises Project Managers (onsite and offsite) and Assistant Project Managers; coordinates with Construction Managers, project controls, and site safety representatives37Responds to and/or oversees Requests for Information; performs value engineering and constructability reviews37Develops procurement status reports with engineering design, procurement, scheduling, and estimating teams, and defines segregation of work by subcontract and purchase order packages37Develops and oversees subcontractor and supplier scope, price, and schedule exhibits for subcontract and purchase order packages; coordinates local bidding efforts with procurement teams37Oversees subcontracts and purchase orders, reviews and approves invoices, and oversees subcontractor and purchase order submittals37Develops initial project-specific schedules in conjunction with engineering design, scheduling, procurement, and field construction staff, and monitors overall progress of design and construction activities37Develops and provides oversight to ensure compliance with project and customer-specific health, safety, and quality assurance/control plans37Performs project close-out, warranty administration, post-construction cost review, and reporting Financial & Contract Management 37Administers and manages the prime contract, construction subcontracts, and purchase orders, including changes to the prime contract37Manages contract administration for major construction agreements including GMP, firm price, and cost-plus structures; leads redline review and negotiation of amendments and change orders37Drives resolution of change order events, claims, and contract scope gaps across the project portfolio37Develops and manages detailed cost models, rate sheets, and escalation for labor and equipment across the regional portfolio37Develops a project-specific Schedule of Values and submits and expedites timely receipt of progress payments37Responsible for financial reporting, customer-facing billing documentation, and program cost analyses for executive and client review37Coordinates, prepares, and presents monthly progress, budget forecasting, and schedule management reports Client Relationship Management 37Serves as a point of contact for key client accounts within the assigned portfolio, maintaining alignment on scope, schedule, cost, and strategic objectives37Leads client-facing communications including program status reporting, billing overviews, and issue escalation and resolution37Works directly with customers to ensure optimal communication, satisfaction, and effective coordination between the project and other jobsite activities; mitigates and resolves potential disputes37Partners with clients to structure contractual frameworks that support long-term program delivery and mutual financial interests37Ensures optimal relations among project stakeholders (customers, design teams, subcontractors, and suppliers) and acts as liaison between departments37Works with commercial development teams to support upcoming project opportunities during the pursuit phase People & Organization 37Leads, develops, and grows a team of Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, and support staff; owns hiring and performance management37Provides leadership for the project team by building and motivating team members to meet project goals and milestones37Establishes structured onboarding, interview frameworks, and staffing processes to scale the organization in support of portfolio growth37Trains, develops, and mentors junior staff37Builds and maintains a culture of accountability, operational discipline, and continuous improvement across the organization37Identifies, recommends, and implements changes to improve productivity and reduce cost among various business and operating companies37Performs other duties as assigned37Adheres to internal standards, policies, and procedures What You'll Bring Experience and Education 37Bachelor's degree in Business, Construction Science/Management, Engineering, or equivalent field; equivalent work experience, or combination of work and education, may be substituted3710+ years of experience in operational or program management overseeing large-scale power delivery, electrical infrastructure, and/or advanced technology construction, with direct DB/EPC project or major program experience preferred377+ years of direct people leadership managing multi-functional project delivery teams preferred37Track record of direct client account ownership and executive-level stakeholder engagement on major construction programs37Demonstrated experience managing GMP, cost-plus, and lump-sum contract structures at the program level, including change management, billing compliance, and contract administration37Well versed in engineering, design, construction, and contracting methodologies, as well as project planning and management-related tasks including estimating, scheduling, bidding, administration of prime contracts, purchase orders and subcontracts, field supervision, budget control, safety, and quality assurance 37 Skills 37Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to produce clear, client-ready deliverables and executive presentations37Strong team-building and talent development skills; experience scaling organizations through structured hiring and onboarding37Strong problem evaluation and solving skills; ability to manage and supervise team members effectively within a matrix organization37Understanding of the project design process during both pursuit and execution phases, and of the integrated EPC/DB process and project lifecycle37Understanding of construction means and methods37Strong organizational and time management skills37Familiarity with estimating, scheduling, and project management software and processes; Primavera P6 and Procore preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office; working knowledge of cost management and document control platforms37Strong knowledge and understanding of the energy infrastructure industry, including safety and environmental best practices and quality control/quality assurance measures employed in the industry Travel Requirements 37Travel: Yes37Percent of Time: Up to 50%, or as project needs require What You'll Get 37Competitive Compensation37401(k) Retirement Plan37Holiday Pay37Paid Time Off (PTO)37Comprehensive Health Coverage37Pet Insurance37Employee Assistance Program (EAP)37Professional Development37Tuition Assistance37Employee Discount Program