Area Operations Manager

The Area Operations Manager is responsible for the safe, compliant, and predictable execution of Heath’s gas leak survey operations in the upper New York market. This role provides operational leadership for assigned utility contracts, ensuring work is completed safely, on schedule, and in alignment with client requirements, regulatory standards, and Heath operational expectations.

This role serves as the primary operational leader and client-facing representative for leak survey operations in the upper New York market. This individual must be capable of balancing operational execution with strong relationship management, navigating complex customer environments, managing competing priorities, and maintaining credibility with both internal stakeholders and utility clients.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong field presence, operational discipline, sound judgment, and the ability to lead teams and client relationships through changing operational demands and long-term project commitments.

This role oversees multiple field crews and frontline supervisors supporting leak survey operations throughout the New York market.

Candidates considered for this role must be able to reasonably commute in the Upper New York area

Why This Role Matters

The Area Operations Manager plays a critical role in ensuring Heath Consultants delivers safe, compliant, and dependable service to utility clients throughout the upper New York market. Success in this role requires strong operational leadership, professional client engagement, disciplined execution, and the ability to lead teams through complex field operations while maintaining trust, accountability, and service excellence.

O ur Values

P – Protect people, assets and the public.

R – Respect everyone, always.

O – Own your job.

T – Tell the truth early.

E – Execute with discipline.

C – Communicate clearly.

T – Take pride in quality work.

Key Responsibilities

Safety & Compliance

• Lead and reinforce safe work practices across all leak survey field operations.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as client-specific SOPs and contractual requirements.
• Lead incident response, near-miss reporting, and corrective action execution.
• Maintain operational audit readiness and documentation quality.
• Promote a culture of safety accountability, operational discipline, and proactive risk management.

Operational Execution

• Deliver leak survey operations safely, on schedule, and in compliance with client commitments and regulatory requirements.
• Lead execution of complex, multi-phase operational work plans while maintaining milestones, compliance, and production expectations.
• Maintain schedule and date compliance by proactively identifying operational risks and implementing mitigation plans.
• Plan and manage daily and weekly field operations, staffing levels, and productivity targets.
• Coordinate closely with internal operations, safety, and client stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities, schedules, and operational constraints.
• Ensure accurate and timely capture of production and leak data within company systems and reporting tools.

Workforce Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop Supervisors and field personnel to achieve strong operational, safety, and compliance performance.
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, and retention of qualified field personnel.
• Establish clear expectations, communication routines, and performance standards across the operation.
• Address employee performance concerns consistently, professionally, and in alignment with company expectations.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, responsiveness, operational ownership, and teamwork.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary operational point of contact for assigned utility clients and operational stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong, professional working relationships through reliable execution, responsiveness, and transparent communication.
• Navigate complex client environments with professionalism, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Partner with client representatives to address operational concerns, schedule changes, compliance risks, and evolving business needs.
• Communicate operational risks, constraints, and mitigation plans clearly and proactively to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Support collaborative working relationships between Heath operations teams and utility client personnel.

Financial & Resource Management

• Manage labor, overtime, and operational expenses within approved budgets and staffing plans.
• Align staffing and production planning with workload demands and operational priorities.
• Support operational performance through disciplined execution, workforce planning, and productivity management.

Systems & Operational Effectiveness

• Support the use of company systems, reporting tools, and standard operational processes.
• Utilize operational data and reporting to support planning, decision-making, and issue resolution.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational consistency, communication, and field execution effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience managing field operations, utility services, infrastructure services, construction operations, or similar safety-sensitive service environments.
• Proven success managing customer-facing operations in complex or highly regulated environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading field teams while maintaining operational schedules, milestone commitments, and client expectations.
• Strong relationship management and communication skills with the ability to navigate challenging client environments professionally and effectively.
• Experience coordinating multiple crews, operational priorities, or long-term field projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of operational safety, compliance, workforce planning, and service delivery execution.
• Ability to manage operational pressure, competing priorities, and evolving client demands while maintaining professionalism and accountability.
• Proficiency with operational systems, reporting, and basic financial management.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to work in field environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting gas utility, electric utility, pipeline, telecom infrastructure, or related utility service operations.
• Familiarity with utility client expectations, compliance standards, and contractor-service delivery environments.
• Experience managing long-duration operational programs or compliance-driven field services.
• Demonstrated success improving operational performance, workforce stability, client satisfaction, or schedule compliance.

Working Conditions & Expectations

• Based in Upstate New York with regular field presence required.
• Combination of office, field, and client-site work environments.
• May require early mornings, extended hours, or occasional travel based on operational needs.
• Safety-sensitive position.

What Success Looks Like

• Safe and compliant execution of leak survey operations across the Phoenix market.
• Strong utility client relationships built on responsiveness, professionalism, and reliable execution.
• Consistent achievement of operational milestones and contractual commitments.
• Stable field leadership and workforce engagement.
• Proactive communication and issue resolution across operations and client stakeholders.