Director of Operations – Heavy Civil Construction

Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Employment Type: Full-Time | Senior Leadership
Industry: Heavy Civil Construction
Relocation: Potentially available for an exceptional candidate

Northwest Talent Solutions (NWTS) has been engaged to identify an accomplished Director of Operations for an established heavy civil construction organization in Arizona.

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a construction executive who knows how to deliver complex projects, develop strong operational teams and help a growing organization expand its capabilities.

Reporting directly to the President, the Director of Operations will have significant influence over project execution, financial performance, talent development, client relationships and the continued growth of the business.

What You'll Lead:

You'll provide operational leadership across a portfolio of projects from preconstruction and planning through field execution and closeout, including:

• Leading multiple projects and project teams across Arizona
• Partnering closely with Project Managers, Superintendents and Project Engineers
• Maintaining accountability for cost, revenue, forecasting, schedule, safety and quality
• Reviewing monthly project cost and revenue projections
• Overseeing manpower, equipment and resource planning
• Managing change orders, contractual issues and project risk
• Building trusted relationships with owners, clients, subcontractors, architects and engineers
• Supporting business development, proposals and preconstruction
• Developing and mentoring PMs, Superintendents and emerging operational leaders
• Supporting recruiting, performance management and succession planning

What We're Looking For:

We're particularly interested in leaders who bring substantial heavy civil construction experience and understand the Arizona market.

Competitive candidates will offer:

• 10–15+ years of progressive construction experience with significant project management and operational leadership responsibility
• Deep heavy civil expertise, ideally spanning transportation, airports, bridges, box culverts and structural concrete
• Strong experience with CMAR and design-build delivery
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong command of project financials, monthly cost forecasting, cost controls and revenue projections
• Experience with scheduling, change management, contract negotiation and risk mitigation
• A track record of developing Project Managers, Superintendents and project teams
• Strong owner/client relationship management skills
• Experience supporting preconstruction and business development
• Working knowledge of HCSS, Primavera, Bluebeam and Microsoft Office
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or a related discipline preferred; substantial relevant experience will also be considered
• Ability to work from the Phoenix-area operation and travel occasionally as business needs require

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This isn't simply a role overseeing projects.

The successful leader will have a direct voice in how the operation evolves—helping strengthen execution, develop the next generation of construction leaders and guide an established heavy civil organization into additional disciplines and opportunities.

Why Northwest Talent Solutions?

NWTS approaches executive recruiting differently.

We combine 20+ years of executive search and talent leadership experience with modern, AI-enabled research and sourcing capabilities to identify exceptional candidates—including accomplished passive leaders who may never appear in a traditional applicant pool.

But technology doesn't make hiring decisions. People do.

Every candidate we engage is evaluated through a high-touch, human-led process focused on leadership capability, business impact, culture alignment and long-term fit. Our goal isn't to generate résumés. It's to create the right leadership match for both the executive and the organization.

If you're a heavy civil construction leader ready to influence both today's project performance and tomorrow's growth, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply confidentially through Northwest Talent Solutions.