Director of Operations

Industry: Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Location: South Central United States Compensation: $160,000 to $230,000 Base Salary Position Overview Hunter Crown is conducting a confidential search for a Director of Operations with an established organization serving the water and wastewater infrastructure market. This executive leadership opportunity is designed for an accomplished operations professional who can bring together project execution, field operations, procurement, logistics, service delivery, and safety under a unified operational strategy. The Director of Operations will serve as the senior operational leader, reporting directly to executive management and participating in the broader leadership team. This individual will have meaningful responsibility for developing managers, improving organizational performance, strengthening operational discipline, and ensuring that complex infrastructure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and within established budgets. The successful candidate will be a proven leader of leaders who can translate business priorities into measurable operational outcomes while building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Professional Responsibility and Scope This position provides comprehensive oversight of project management, field execution, procurement and supply chain, warehouse and logistics, service operations, and workplace safety. The Director will lead experienced functional managers and establish the processes, performance expectations, and communication practices necessary to deliver consistent results across multiple simultaneous projects. A central responsibility will be improving project predictability and financial performance. The Director will strengthen scheduling discipline, resource allocation, cost management, inventory accuracy, and coordination between operational departments. Success will require identifying potential execution risks early, implementing practical solutions, and maintaining visibility into project schedules, labor utilization, material availability, and financial performance. The role also carries significant responsibility for operational safety and quality. The Director will establish clear expectations for safe working practices, support field leadership, and promote consistent compliance with applicable regulatory and workplace standards. Working closely with commercial, engineering, and financial leadership, this executive will help ensure that project commitments are translated into achievable execution plans. The position requires the ability to balance immediate operational priorities with the development of scalable processes and stronger management capabilities. Location and Lifestyle Context The opportunity is based in the South Central United States, with potential flexibility for a hybrid working arrangement depending on the candidate's experience and the operational needs of the organization. The position offers a combination of executive leadership responsibilities and direct engagement with operational teams. Occasional travel to project locations, suppliers, and customers will be required, although the position is primarily focused on organizational leadership rather than daily field supervision. For candidates seeking a senior leadership opportunity without the expectation of continuous travel, the role offers an appealing balance of strategic oversight, operational involvement, and professional flexibility. Long Term Professional Growth This position offers the opportunity to influence the performance and development of a multifaceted operations organization. The Director will have the ability to strengthen management systems, develop emerging leaders, improve operational efficiency, and establish practices that support sustainable business performance. Over the first 12 to 24 months, success will be reflected in stronger project delivery, improved financial predictability, disciplined inventory management, measurable safety performance, and a more cohesive operations leadership team. The position provides significant exposure to executive decision making and opportunities to contribute to broader organizational planning. For an accomplished operations leader, it represents an opportunity to expand enterprise level influence while remaining closely connected to tangible operational results. Compensation The anticipated base salary range for this opportunity is $160,000 to $230,000 annually, depending on professional experience, leadership capabilities, and alignment with the position's requirements. Additional compensation arrangements and benefits will be discussed during the recruiting process as applicable. The overall opportunity is intended to attract an experienced executive capable of assuming broad operational accountability and delivering measurable business results. Team Environment and Leadership Approach The organization is seeking a collaborative, disciplined, and commercially aware leader who can establish clear expectations while empowering experienced managers to execute effectively. The Director will work closely with senior leadership and functional counterparts across business development, engineering, finance, and operational delivery. The leadership environment emphasizes direct communication, practical problem solving, personal accountability, and consistent follow through. The ideal candidate will be comfortable making decisions, developing management talent, resolving competing operational priorities, and establishing performance standards without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. This opportunity is particularly well suited to an individual who values building capable teams, improving how organizations operate, and creating an environment where people understand their responsibilities and have the resources to succeed. Organizational Stability and Industry Position The opportunity is with an established organization operating within the essential water and wastewater infrastructure sector. Its activities support the delivery, installation, and ongoing service of engineered infrastructure systems. The business operates in a market where reliable project execution, technical coordination, regulatory awareness, and long term customer relationships are important to successful performance. The Director of Operations will play a central role in strengthening execution capabilities and supporting the organization's ability to deliver consistently across its project and service activities. For candidates seeking a leadership position connected to essential infrastructure, the role offers the opportunity to contribute to an industry with enduring operational and environmental importance. Experience and Qualification Summary Qualified candidates should bring at least 15 years of progressive professional experience, including substantial responsibility for project delivery, field operations, construction related activities, or supply chain management. A minimum of five years of direct experience within the water and wastewater industry is required. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success leading managers and functional leaders rather than solely supervising individual contributors. Experience overseeing multiple concurrent projects, managing operational budgets, improving schedule performance, and establishing accountability across interconnected departments is essential. A practical understanding of procurement, inventory management, logistics, and field operations is important, along with demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and familiarity with OSHA requirements. Candidates should possess strong financial awareness, sound judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to remain composed while managing competing operational demands. A bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, business, or a related discipline is preferred but not required. OSHA 30 certification is also preferred. #J-18808-Ljbffr Hunter Crown, LLC