Director of Operations

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionDirector of OperationsFor the operator who knows how to make a complex business perform.DLL Landscaping & Tree Service | Columbus, OhioSome people see a busy operation and see activity.You see the system underneath it.You notice when labor is running heavy. When a production manager needs coaching. When equipment downtime is becominga pattern. When a process that worked at one stage of growth will not carry the company through the next.And when something goes sideways, you are not interested in being the loudest person in the room. You are the person peoplelook to because you stay composed, make the call, and know what happens next.DLL Landscaping Tree Service is looking for an experienced Director of Operations to take ownership of the engine thatdelivers our work: people, production, productivity, equipment, safety, execution, and results.This is a senior leadership position with real authority and real accountability.We are not looking for someone ready to try leading an operation of this size. We are looking for someone who has alreadyoperated at scale and wants to build an operation that performs predictably, profitably, and professionally.The roleYou will lead field operations and production performance across landscape, grounds maintenance, and snow operations. Youwill oversee production managers, fleet and safety, and shop operations while partnering closely with the CEO, director ofinternal operations, ownership, and account managers.Your job is not simply to keep people busy. Your job is to build an operating rhythm that produces excellent work, protectsmargin, develops leaders, and makes the entire organization stronger.What you'll own• Field production across landscape, grounds maintenance, and snow operations• Labor productivity, departmental efficiency, job-cost performance, and operational budgets• Daily productivity metrics, operational priorities, and corrective action when performance drifts• Revenue and margin execution, including identifying waste and opportunities to improve performance• Leadership, mentoring, performance management, and accountability for production managers and fleet and safety leadership• Fleet readiness, preventative maintenance execution, documentation, shop coordination, and equipment downtime• Company safety program execution, regulatory compliance, and an accident-free culture• Resolution of escalated operational and customer issues• Executive-level operational reporting, forecasting, annual planning, and cross-functional alignmentSnow operations: when the plan meets realitySnow is one of the clearest tests of an operating leader. You will oversee and execute snow operations throughout the season,including:• Contract preparation and site planning• Route optimization• Resource planning and staffing• Event execution and response coordination• Equipment readiness and logistics• Service quality and operational efficiencyThe right person can plan the machine carefully and still make decisive calls when weather, people, equipment, and realitychange the plan.You'll probably thrive here if...• You like being accountable for results, not just activity.• You can move comfortably between a job-cost conversation, a field inspection, and a coaching conversation with a manager.• You are decisive without needing to dominate the room.• You stay steady when the pressure rises and can make a sound decision with incomplete information.• You would rather improve the system than repeatedly solve the same problem.• You do not avoid difficult conversations, but you handle them professionally and without unnecessary drama.• You can disagree with strong personalities without becoming defensive, political, or territorial.• You value clear standards, good data, strong processes, and disciplined follow-through.• You develop managers instead of doing their jobs for them.• When performance misses, your first instinct is to understand the cause, own your part, and fix it.• You take pride in building an operation that performs well even when you are not standing there.Experience that mattersThis is a senior role, and the experience requirements are intentional.• 5+ years of landscape industry experience• Proven leadership experience overseeing multiple departments and developing managersThis probably isn't for you if...• You have managed a crew and are looking for your first opportunity to operate at the executive level.• You think operations primarily means keeping people busy and putting out fires.• You need the CEO to make the difficult calls for you.• You are great at driving urgency but weak on process, numbers, documentation, or follow-through.• You are great with systems but uncomfortable holding people accountable.• You need to win every disagreement or have difficulty working alongside other strong leaders.• The title or compensation is more interesting to you than the responsibility that comes with it.What success looks like• Labor productivity meets or exceeds company goals.• Job-cost performance stays within budget and variances are addressed quickly.• Revenue and margin targets are achieved through disciplined execution.• Return visits caused by workmanship are eliminated.• Equipment is ready, downtime is minimized, and field/shop coordination is strong.• Safety standards are enforced and an accident-free workplace is actively pursued.• Managers become stronger, clearer, and more accountable under your leadership.• The CEO has an operating leader who can be trusted to own the result.The environmentThis is a combination of field oversight and office-based operational planning. You must be comfortable walking job sites,inspecting field work in varying weather conditions, operating company equipment when necessary, and flexing during peakseasons and snow events.DLL values accountability, integrity, operational discipline, clear communication, and professional conduct. We want a leaderwith backbone and composure: someone capable of holding a high standard without creating unnecessary friction around it.Ready to apply?We are not looking for someone to simply fill a Director of Operations seat.We are looking for an experienced operator who understands the weight of owning production, people, numbers, equipment,and execution - and finds satisfaction in making all of those pieces work together.If you have already led at this level, value both performance and discipline, and want meaningful ownership inside a growinglandscaping and tree-service organization, wed like to hear from you.