Director of Project Operations

Opportunity Profile

Location: North Carolina (Charlotte, Raleigh, and Triad Regions)

Position Title: Director of Project Operations

The Opportunity:
This is a unique opportunity to lead and continue building one of the fastest-growing and most strategically important segments of a highly successful mechanical and building services organization. The Director of Project Operations will assume leadership of a profitable and expanding service project organization that plays a critical role in the company’s long-term growth strategy.

This position extends far beyond project oversight. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving operational excellence across the service project portfolio while establishing the structure, processes, and talent necessary to support future expansion. As a key member of the leadership team, this individual will influence strategy, improve execution, strengthen project management capabilities, and help shape the future direction of the business.

The Director of Project Operations will partner closely with Sales, Service, Estimating, Branch Leadership, and Executive Leadership to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and profitably. The role offers a rare opportunity to build a lasting legacy through developing people, improving processes, increasing scalability, and creating a best-in-class project management organization that supports continued growth.

The Company:
Our client is a leading provider of HVAC, mechanical, controls, building automation, and service solutions with a strong reputation for operational excellence, customer service, and employee development. The organization has experienced substantial growth in recent years through strategic investment, disciplined execution, and a commitment to serving customers at a high level.

What differentiates the company is its people-first culture. Leadership actively invests in employee development, career progression, and long-term success. The organization is known for providing talented individuals with opportunities to grow professionally while contributing to meaningful business initiatives.

The company combines the resources, stability, and growth opportunities of a large organization with the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of a business focused on innovation, accountability, and customer success. Significant investments continue to be made in people, infrastructure, and operational capabilities to support future expansion.

The Boss:
The position reports directly to the President, an accomplished executive and highly respected leader known for developing talent, building strong teams, and driving organizational growth. This leader is recognized for creating opportunities around high-potential employees, fostering collaboration, and maintaining a culture focused on accountability, development, and operational excellence.

The Director of Project Operations will work closely with executive leadership and enjoy significant visibility within the organization. This is an opportunity to partner with a leader who values innovation, empowers team members, and is committed to helping employees grow into the best versions of themselves while making a meaningful impact on the business.

The Position:
The Director of Project Operations is responsible for the leadership, execution, financial performance, and strategic growth of the company’s Service Project business. This individual will oversee project operations, project management teams, project execution processes, and organizational development initiatives while ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction, safety performance, quality, and profitability.

The role serves as the operational leader for service projects and functions as a critical resource for project managers, helping teams navigate challenges, improve execution, manage risk, and consistently deliver outstanding customer outcomes.

Essential Functions (Other duties may be assigned):

• Provide leadership and strategic oversight for Service Project Operations across all branches.
• Lead and develop Project Managers, Coordinators, Estimators, and project resources.
• Oversee project execution from pre-bid planning through project closeout.
• Implement and refine project management standards, processes, and best practices.
• Conduct cost-to-complete reviews, forecasting processes, and project performance evaluations.
• Drive achievement of financial objectives, profitability targets, backlog growth, and productivity improvements.
• Develop project recovery plans and proactively mitigate project risk.
• Create scalable project management infrastructure to support future growth.
• Establish Centers of Excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Sales, Service, Estimating, and Branch Leadership to support business growth and customer retention.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain project management talent.
• Champion a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Provide strategic recommendations and operational reporting to executive leadership.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership experience within HVAC, mechanical contracting, controls, building automation, service projects, or related industries.
• Strong operational leadership skills with a proven ability to lead project organizations.
• Experience managing project portfolios and multiple concurrent projects.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong financial acumen and project financial management experience.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive accountability.
• Skilled in conflict resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Strong customer-focused mindset with a commitment to service excellence.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in project management, construction operations, service operations, or related leadership positions.
• Minimum 5 years of experience leading teams and developing talent.
• Demonstrated success leading HVAC, mechanical, controls, building automation, or service project organizations.
• Experience managing project financial performance, forecasting, and operational improvement initiatives.

Competencies:

• Strategic Leadership
• Operational Excellence
• Financial Acumen
• Project Execution
• Talent Development
• Customer Relationship Management
• Team Building
• Collaboration and Influence
• Coaching and Mentorship
• Risk Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Change Management
• Accountability
• Continuous Improvement
• Safety Leadership

Work Environment:

This leadership role supports multiple branch locations throughout North Carolina and requires regular interaction with operations, sales, service, finance, and executive leadership teams. The environment is collaborative, fast-paced, and growth-focused, offering the opportunity to influence business performance across multiple geographies while developing high-performing teams and scalable operational systems. Moderate regional travel may be required to support branches, personnel, and customer initiatives.

Compensation:

This position offers a competitive executive-level compensation package that rewards performance and contribution to the organization’s success. In addition to a performance-based incentive program aligned with business results, the role includes a comprehensive benefits offering and significant long-term career growth opportunities within a larger family of highly successful affiliated businesses.