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.