Director of Operations - Facilities Services / Janitorial Industry

Our client is seeking a Director of Operations to serve as the senior operational leader for their janitorial and maintenance services company. This role is responsible for overseeing day‑to‑day operations across the company's entire account portfolio, enforcing accountability throughout the management team, and driving the company's transition to its next stage of growth. This role is critical to reducing CEO operational dependency, instilling consistent systems and reporting structures, and ensuring financial discipline and service excellence across all operations. The Director of Operations reports directly to the CEO and has operational authority over Area Managers and Field Managers. Key Responsibilities Operational Execution & Oversight Oversee day‑to‑day operations across the entire portfolio of client accounts company-wide. Ensure staffing coverage at or above 98% on a weekly basis. Enforce site visit cadence for Area Managers and Field Managers. Conduct periodic unannounced inspections to maintain quality standards. Ensure client escalations are addressed within 24 to 48 hours. Ensure all accounts follow company policies, best practices, and safety procedures. Manager Accountability & Leadership Enforcement Lead weekly operational review meetings with Area and Field Managers. Ensure managers submit required R/Y/G status reports on time and with accuracy. Coach, correct, and elevate underperformance through appropriate channels. Establish and manage performance improvement plans where needed. Reinforce clear reporting hierarchy and culture of accountability throughout the team. Financial Discipline & Margin Protection Review weekly labor and overtime reports across all operations company-wide. Maintain overtime within agreed thresholds and proactively address variances. Ensure invoices are prepared accurately and submitted in a timely manner. Monitor receivables and elevate payment concerns to the CEO. Ensure all projects and accounts operate within established budget parameters, with close attention to labor efficiency, supply costs, and project‑level profitability. Prepare and review company‑wide operational budgets; approve expenditures within authorized limits and monitor performance against budget at the project and account level. Compliance & Risk Management Ensure timely and accurate LWO/LCP submissions for all applicable accounts. Validate wage classifications and staffing alignment across sites. Maintain audit‑ready documentation at all times. Enforce OSHA and site safety compliance at all locations. Complete all required reports, including accident, incident, damage, and inspection reports. Client Relations, Business Development & Government Contracting Support Area Managers in maintaining strong client relationships and resolving concerns promptly across the full account portfolio. Participate in new account set‑up and onboarding oversight as needed. Support and drive bid growth efforts, including reviewing site visit notes, labor and scope estimates, and actively identifying opportunities to expand the company’s account base. Generate goodwill through demonstrated commitment to service excellence and a solutions‑oriented approach with all clients. Maintain and cultivate strong relationships with government contracting clients, understanding the compliance requirements, reporting standards, and relationship management expectations unique to public sector engagements. Support the pursuit of new government contracts by ensuring operational readiness, compliance documentation, and service delivery standards meet or exceed public sector requirements. Bring a working knowledge of business development principles to support company growth, including identifying new market opportunities, supporting proposal and bid processes, and contributing to the expansion of the client portfolio. CEO Dependency Reduction A primary objective of this role is reducing the CEO’s operational workload by establishing clear management authority, decision‑making processes, and escalation protocols. Success in this area will be measured by decreased CEO involvement in staffing issues and client escalations, and by operational decision‑making authority resting with the Director of Operations. The target is a 40% reduction in CEO operational involvement within the first six months. Education : Bachelor’s degree in business, operations management, or a related field; equivalent experience considered. Experience : Minimum 5–7 years of progressive operations management experience, preferably in facilities services, janitorial, or multi‑site service industries. Leadership : Demonstrated experience managing managers and holding teams accountable across multiple locations. Financial Acumen : Experience with labor cost management, project budget oversight, margin protection, invoicing, and company‑wide financial reporting. Compliance : Familiarity with LWO/LCP requirements, OSHA standards, and labor law compliance preferred. Technology : Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with operational reporting or database tools. Government Contracting & Business Development : Experience working with government contracting clients preferred; familiarity with public sector compliance, reporting, and relationship management requirements; working knowledge of business development principles and bid/proposal processes. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Strong leadership presence with the ability to hold managers and teams accountable consistently. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Exceptional organizational and time‑management skills with acute attention to detail. Sound independent judgment and decision‑making capability. Ability to manage multiple priorities across multiple client sites simultaneously. Self‑starter who initiates and follows through on projects without close supervision. Ability to maintain confidentiality of all company and client information. Physical ability to conduct site visits, commute between locations, and stand for extended periods; may require lifting up to 50 lbs. Base Salary: $100k – $110k per year Benefits included (To be discussed in interview) Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected. Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations. Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location. Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable. Privacy and Pay Equity: California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available. Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws. State-Specific Information: Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants. Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation. New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed. Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process. Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment: Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision‑making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI‑assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non‑discrimination principles. Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law. Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate. Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location. #J-18808-Ljbffr