Confidential - Vice President, Construction Operations

ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Vice President, Construction for a prominent Ohio based contractor.

ABOUT

Our client is a leading mechanical contractor with locations in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. With decades of experience, our client delivers innovative design-build, fabrication, and service solutions including plumbing, HVAC, sheet metal, fire protection, and service maintenance that ensure safety, efficiency, and lasting value. The company brings design and construction expertise that includes mission‑critical/data centers, hospitals, pharmaceutical, laboratories, higher education, office buildings, sports complexes, hotels, student housing, historic renovations, K‑12 schools, and other commercial facilities. Our client is committed to excellence at every stage of a project by building trusted partnerships and exceeding expectations. Its state‑certified apprenticeship program and nationally recognized safety program are the cornerstones of its success. The firm strives to be the premier contractor that builds everlasting value by transforming the industry through a culture of honesty, safety, innovation and servant leadership. Each engagement is supported by a dedicated project team, providing a streamlined building process, better coordination and productivity and top‑performing systems on or ahead of schedule. Our client coordinates all aspects of every project to reduce waste and expenditures, maximize resources and optimize timelines.

PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS

Design-Assist Their approach to design‑assist projects systematically addresses the areas of budget, scope, value/constructability analysis, cost estimation and preconstruction scheduling. To accomplish this, they work closely with the owner, architect, engineers and construction team. Highly experienced estimators with trade experience give a true, competitive cost estimate and budgeting assistance to help move projects forward. Plan & spec provides CMS and owners real‑time target values. Direct to Owner Direct‑to‑owner projects of all sizes and trades include building/plant expansions, renovations, equipment replacements and additions and complete retrofits. Design-Build Our client’s skilled engineering teams utilize the latest technology and design tools including REVIT, BIM and CAD to deliver innovative, value‑engineered systems that reduce both construction and long‑term building operational costs. Rigorous quality control inspections ensure code compliance and project excellence.

POSITION

The Vice President, Construction Operations is responsible for leading a significant portion of the Company’s construction operations, ensuring the safe, profitable, and efficient delivery of projects while developing the operational capability required to support continued growth. This executive serves as a key business leader, accountable for operational performance, customer satisfaction, workforce development, and financial results across their assigned region, business unit, or operating company. This role partners closely with executive leadership to drive strategic growth, strengthen organizational capability, improve operational consistency, and build a high‑performing culture focused on safety, accountability, and customer success. This role plays a critical part in scaling the business, developing future leaders, and ensuring the organization has the talent, processes, and infrastructure necessary to achieve its long‑term objectives.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The responsibilities listed are fundamental to the position and must be performed successfully to achieve the key objectives of the role. Additional responsibilities may be assigned.

LEADERSHIP

Leads, coaches, and develops Operations Managers, Construction Managers, Project Executives, Project Managers, Superintendents, and other operational leaders to build a strong leadership pipeline and succession bench; Establishes clear performance expectations and accountability while fostering a culture of safety, ownership, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence; Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, talent acquisition, leadership development, succession planning, retention, and performance management; Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, providing operational insight and recommendations that support growth and value creation; Promote collaboration across business units by sharing best practices and driving consistency in operational execution; Identify and develop high‑potential talent to strengthen organizational capability and future leadership readiness.

OPERATIONS

Provide executive oversight of construction operations, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to quality and customer expectations; Maintain visibility into project performance, backlog, labor capacity, customer commitments, operational risks, and market conditions; Drive operational performance through effective management of productivity, labor utilization, project execution, forecasting accuracy, and profitability; Partner with estimating, preconstruction, procurement, safety, finance, and project teams to optimize resources and project outcomes; Ensure operational processes, systems, and reporting support scalable growth and consistent execution; Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, quality, safety, and customer satisfaction; Lead resolution of significant customer issues, project challenges, contractual disputes, and operational risks while protecting key relationships; Reinforce a culture where safety is a core value and operational priority. Develop and execute annual operating plans, budgets, forecasts, and performance objectives aligned with company strategy; Partner with executive leadership on growth initiatives, including geographic expansion, service line growth, market penetration, and acquisition integration; Identify opportunities to improve margins, strengthen customer relationships, increase efficiency, and expand organizational capacity; Build and maintain relationships with key customers, industry partners, and stakeholders to support long‑term growth; Monitor market trends, labor availability, competitive dynamics, and industry developments to proactively position the business for success; Support major pursuits and strategic opportunities by ensuring operational capability, leadership capacity, and workforce readiness.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred (and/or combined relevant work experience); Minimum of 15 years of progressive construction operations leadership experience, with at least 7‑10 years in senior operational leadership roles; Demonstrated success leading large‑scale construction, mechanical, electrical, specialty contracting, industrial, or related operations with responsibility for significant revenue, profitability, and workforce management; Experience managing multiple business units, regions, project portfolios, or operating divisions within a growth‑oriented organization; Proven track record of delivering projects safely, profitably, and in alignment with customer expectations; Experience leading organizational growth, workforce expansion, operational transformation, acquisition integration, or business scaling initiatives preferred; Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and stakeholder communication skills; Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously; Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization; Proficiency in business tools such as, Microsoft Office Suite including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Teams; Proficiency with construction management systems, project controls, financial reporting, and operational performance metrics; Strong knowledge of safety regulations, industry best practices, and operational compliance requirements.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Regular travel to other business offices, field locations, and project sites as needed; Travel expectations may range from 25% depending on business needs; Travel may include overnight stays and multi‑site visits across the United States. #J-18808-Ljbffr ZRG