Vice President of Operations

Overview

About Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. We provide value across the entire project lifecycle through our core construction management services and complementary business lines in real estate investment, design, self-perform construction, and technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies). By integrating data, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology through our Seamless Platform, we connect design, construction, and operations to deliver smarter, more predictable results and redefine how America builds. 

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $9 billion in annual revenue, 3,000 employees, and 17 offices, including Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Herndon, U.S. Virgin Islands, and other key markets. Suffolk manages some of the most complex and transformative projects in the country, serving clients across healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, aviation, transportation, government, mission critical, and commercial sectors. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. 

At Suffolk, we believe that our total rewards program should offer you and your family the support you need when it matters most. That’s why we have created a program that provides employees with access to a wide variety of options that can be personalized to support you and your loved ones physically, emotionally, and financially. 

Benefits include, competitive salaries, auto allowances and gas cards for certain roles, access to market leading medical and emotional and mental health benefits, dental, and vision insurance plans, virtual care options for physical therapy and primary care, generous paid time off, 401k plan with employer match and access to expert financial resources, company paid and voluntary life insurance, tax deferred savings accounts, 10 backup daycare days each year, short- and long-term disability, commuter benefits and more.  For more information, click here. 

The Role

The Vice President of Field Operations provides executive leadership for Mission Critical operations across assigned regions, with direct accountability for staffing, safety, operational execution, and field performance. This role ensures consistent delivery of complex, high-reliability projects by driving standardization, workforce readiness, and disciplined adherence to operating procedures across all active sites.

Responsibilities

• Participate in Hiring, help mentor, develop and oversee field staff to meet Operational Standards (SOP’s). Provide consistency throughout the various projects from an operational perspective.
• Serve on national committees for the review and development of Field Operations Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).
• Establish initiatives and control techniques for the implementation of SOP’s.
• Establish and lead Company relationships with key industry representatives including local trade unions, trade associations, public agencies and jurisdictional authorities.
• Plan, prepare, control, monitor, and forecast departmental direct and/or indirect budgets. This includes developing GR budgets and providing input on GC Staffing.
• Coordinate and support cross functional efforts between departments and Field Operations.
• Be a resource for Operations as it relates to Safety, productivity and motivation in Field Operations staff.
• Participate in Business Development efforts to maximize awards including developing proposal schedules, logistics plans and construction analysis, and presenting our capabilities in pre-construction planning including staging, sequencing, safety, and quality control.
• Oversee project start-up (mobilization) and closeout (demobilization) process to ensure compliance with SOP’s.
• Develop, schedule and conduct Bi-monthly Superintendent meetings.

Scheduling

• Support the policies and procedures, staffing, resources and quality of work product.
• Continually monitor and evaluate project schedule performance and recommend action plans to improve progress, and total schedule performance measurements.
• Work with individual project teams to develop and manage project schedules. This includes developing recovery plans and implementing management plans to meet the schedule demands. Coupled with monthly reviews of all project schedules to understand progress and failures.

Safety

• Support the Company’s risk management, and safety processes to promote a safe working environment.
• Coordinate with Safety Director and construction teams to ensure appropriate levels of coverage.
• Monitor safety reporting and help implement measures to improve safety levels and/or respond to deficiencies. 

People

• Mentor, coach and train field employees to perform and ensure effective matching of talent and project scope.
• Seek out and recruit key employees; participate in the hiring, training and development and placement of the Field Operations staff.
• Monitor the performance review process for all Field staff to ensure professional development for all employees is maintained. Consult provide feedback and attend in person reviews as needed or desired.
• Partner with training to maintain a continuous learning environment for employee skill development and career growth. (beyond L & D curriculum)

Work Acquisition and Client Management

• Identify and cultivate new client relationships; develop relationship with, and have the pulse of, existing clients
• Recommend general conditions and fees to the General Manager
• Assist in strategic subcontractor management
• Participate in contract negotiation as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Construction Management and/or experience relative to size/scope of projects
• Minimum of 15 years of Data Center GC experience
• Each project has specific characteristics regarding size, complexity, sector etc, which dictate the precise years of experience and industry knowledge necessary for success, above and beyond generic construction knowledge and experience
• Applicable area licenses
• The ability to constantly multi-task and handle competing priorities between Suffolk business needs, organizational issues, and sound customer relations
• Business judgment to negotiate the critical balance between budget and construction processes
• Excellent organizational skills to manage the many details necessary for successful construction
• Judgment to know when to appropriately escalate issues up the chain of command
• A strong sense of urgency and initiative, and the ability to quickly study complex issues
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to confidently and decisively take action
• Excellent diplomatic and communication skills, able to interact effectively with senior management, and the ability to handle and resolve conflict effectively in a firm but fair manner
• Demonstrated experience communicating broad strategic initiatives to both key stakeholders and diverse internal teams.
• Candidate must possess Suffolk’s Core Values: Passion, Integrity, Hard Work, Professionalism, and Caring

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stands; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

EEO Statement

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.