Director of Field Operations

Description
We are seeking an experienced, results-driven

Director of Field Operations

to lead field execution, site operations, and installation activities for our growing modular construction business. Based in Chicago, this individual will oversee the successful delivery of modular construction projects from factory completion and transportation through site preparation, module setting, installation, commissioning, and project turnover.
The Director of Field Operations will be responsible for building and leading high-performing field teams, coordinating with internal departments and external trade partners, maintaining rigorous safety and quality standards, and ensuring projects are delivered on schedule and within budget.
This role requires a hands-on construction leader who understands the unique demands of modular construction, including the integration of off-site manufacturing with traditional on-site construction, crane and rigging operations, logistics planning, and the sequencing of multiple trades.
The ideal candidate combines strategic operational leadership with practical field experience, strong financial and project management skills, and the ability to scale field operations as the company grows.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities

1. Field Operations Leadership

Direct all field operations across active modular construction projects throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and other designated markets.
Establish consistent standards, procedures, and best practices for site mobilization, installation, field coordination, and project closeout.
Develop and manage field staffing plans, including superintendents, site managers, installation crews, subcontractors, and specialty contractors.
Provide leadership, coaching, and accountability to field personnel while fostering a culture of ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Establish clear reporting structures, performance expectations, and escalation procedures across all field operations.
Conduct regular site visits to evaluate progress, address operational challenges, and ensure compliance with company standards.
2. Modular Installation and Project Execution

Oversee the delivery, staging, lifting, setting, fastening, weatherproofing, and integration of modular building components.
Coordinate crane operations, rigging plans, delivery sequencing, site access, laydown areas, and installation logistics with project teams and specialty contractors.
Ensure field readiness before modules leave the manufacturing facility, including verification of foundations, embeds, utilities, access, permits, and installation prerequisites.
Coordinate the transition from factory production to transportation and on-site installation to minimize delays, damage, rework, and unnecessary handling.
Work closely with manufacturing, engineering, project management, design, and procurement teams to resolve constructability issues and field conflicts.
Oversee the integration of modular units with site-built foundations, structural systems, building envelopes, MEP systems, and interior and exterior finishes.
Ensure projects progress efficiently from module placement through final installation, testing, commissioning, and owner acceptance.
3. Schedule and Resource Management

Develop and monitor field execution schedules in coordination with project management and manufacturing teams.
Align labor availability, subcontractor mobilization, equipment, transportation, and material deliveries with project milestones.
Identify schedule risks and implement recovery plans to protect critical-path activities and contractual completion dates.
Manage field resources across multiple simultaneous projects, balancing staffing, equipment, and subcontractor capacity.
Establish regular project reporting and performance reviews to track productivity, installation rates, schedule adherence, and outstanding work.
Anticipate seasonal and weather-related challenges associated with construction in the Chicago and Midwest markets.
4. Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Compliance

Champion a proactive safety culture across all jobsites, with particular emphasis on crane lifts, rigging, work at height, material handling, and coordination among multiple trades.
Ensure compliance with applicable OSHA requirements, local building codes, project specifications, and company safety policies.
Coordinate with safety personnel and project leadership to conduct site inspections, toolbox talks, incident investigations, and corrective-action reviews.
Establish and enforce quality-control procedures for module installation, structural connections, waterproofing, firestopping, MEP connections, and finish work.
Ensure deficiencies, punch-list items, and nonconformance issues are documented, assigned, and resolved promptly.
Support required inspections, testing, commissioning, and documentation needed for project completion and occupancy.
5. Budget and Financial Performance

Manage field labor costs, subcontractor performance, equipment utilization, site logistics expenses, and other field-related expenditures.
Monitor field productivity and cost performance against established project budgets.
Identify opportunities to reduce rework, minimize downtime, improve installation efficiency, and increase labor productivity.
Review subcontractor scopes, field work plans, change requests, and cost impacts in coordination with project management and commercial teams.
Provide accurate forecasts of field labor requirements, equipment needs, schedule impacts, and potential cost overruns.
Develop and implement standardized installation methods that improve consistency, reduce costs, and support scalable growth.
6. Subcontractor and Partner Management

Build and maintain strong working relationships with general contractors, site contractors, crane companies, transportation providers, specialty trades, and installation partners.
Establish clear expectations for scope, schedule, safety, quality, communication, and performance.
Participate in subcontractor selection, prequalification, onboarding, and performance evaluations.
Resolve field-level conflicts and coordinate corrective actions before issues affect project milestones or customer relationships.
Support the development of a reliable regional subcontractor and installation network throughout Illinois and the broader Midwest.
7. Process Improvement and Organizational Growth

Develop standardized field operations playbooks, installation procedures, checklists, and reporting tools.
Establish key performance indicators to measure field productivity, safety, quality, schedule performance, and cost efficiency.
Capture lessons learned from completed projects and incorporate improvements into future project execution.
Evaluate construction technologies, equipment, and installation methods that can improve field performance.
Partner with executive leadership to forecast operational capacity, support business development, and prepare the organization for growth.
Help recruit, develop, and retain field leaders capable of supporting an expanding project portfolio.
Qualifications

Required Qualifications

10+ years of progressive experience in construction operations, field management, project execution, or a related discipline.
5+ years of leadership experience managing construction superintendents, field teams, subcontractors, or multiple active jobsites.
Demonstrated experience delivering complex commercial, multifamily, institutional, industrial, or other large-scale construction projects.
Proven ability to manage project schedules, labor resources, subcontractors, safety, quality, and field budgets.
Strong understanding of construction sequencing, site logistics, structural systems, building envelopes, and MEP coordination.
Experience working with general contractors, specialty trades, equipment providers, and project management teams.
Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, schedules, scopes of work, and installation plans.
Strong communication, leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Willingness to travel regularly to active jobsites and manufacturing or staging facilities as required.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the Chicagoland area and other assigned markets.
Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience in modular construction, volumetric modular building, prefabricated building systems, or off-site construction.
Experience coordinating factory-to-site logistics, module transportation, crane picks, rigging, and multi-module installation sequences.
Experience with commercial modular buildings, multifamily housing, hospitality, healthcare, education, or other repeatable building programs.
Familiarity with construction scheduling and project management platforms such as Procore, Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or equivalent systems.
Knowledge of Chicago-area permitting, inspections, union labor environments, and local construction practices.
Experience scaling field operations across multiple projects, regions, or installation teams.
Relevant degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field; equivalent practical experience will also be considered.
Leadership Competencies

Operational ownership:

Takes responsibility for field performance, project outcomes, and corrective action.
Execution discipline:

Converts project plans into coordinated, measurable field activities.
Safety leadership:

Establishes safety as a non-negotiable operating standard.
Commercial awareness:

Understands the relationship between field productivity, schedule, cost, and profitability.
Cross-functional collaboration:

Aligns manufacturing, engineering, logistics, project management, and field teams.
People development:

Builds accountable teams and develops the next generation of field leaders.
Adaptability:

Responds effectively to changing site conditions, design revisions, supply-chain challenges, and installation constraints.
Continuous improvement:

Uses data, lessons learned, and standardized processes to improve operational performance.
Key Performance Indicators

Performance will be evaluated using a combination of operational, financial, safety, and customer-delivery metrics, including:
On-time achievement of field milestones and project completion dates.
Field labor productivity and installation rates.
Field cost performance against budget.
Safety performance, incident trends, and completion of corrective actions.
First-pass installation quality and rework rates.
Module delivery, staging, and installation coordination.
Subcontractor productivity and schedule reliability.
Punch-list completion and project closeout timelines.
Customer satisfaction and responsiveness to project issues.
Development and retention of high-performing field personnel.
Work Environment and Travel

This is a field-oriented leadership position based in the Chicago, Illinois area. The role requires regular travel to active construction sites, manufacturing facilities, staging locations, and project meetings throughout Chicagoland and other assigned markets.
The Director must be comfortable working in active construction environments, coordinating with field personnel and trade partners, and responding to time-sensitive operational issues. Occasional early mornings, extended hours, and schedule adjustments may be necessary to support critical lifts, module installations, and project milestones.
Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience, leadership capability, and the scope of operational responsibility.
Base salary is estimated at $115,000 - $145,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications. The comprehensive package features medical, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage, alongside 401(k) plan participation, paid holidays, PTO, and sick leave.

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