Job Description

Location: Pender, NE

Country: United States

Salary: $100K - $120K

Description:

Driving Excellence in Public Infrastructure Project Delivery

We are hiring a seasoned and strategic Director of Construction Operations to lead the execution and oversight of municipal water and wastewater treatment projects. This senior leadership role is essential for delivering complex infrastructure safely, on time, within budget, and in full compliance with regulatory and client expectations.

Core Responsibilities

Operational Oversight

• Lead project teams through all stages of municipal water and wastewater construction projects.
• Ensure excellence in safety, scheduling, budgeting, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Participate in project selection, including Go/No-Go decisions, focusing on regulatory requirements and potential risk.
• Represent senior leadership in client engagements, preconstruction planning, and negotiations with municipal agencies.

Project Execution & Financial Performance

• Oversee estimating, budgeting, and profitability strategies tailored to the public sector.
• Review and approve master and short-term (3-week) schedules, ensuring clarity of project milestones.
• Conduct monthly financial reviews with Ownership and guide forecasting and corrective measures to meet financial goals.
• Identify risks proactively whether operational, contractual, or compliance-related and intervene as necessary.

Contract Management & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead negotiations and reviews of owner contracts to mitigate risk and ensure clear understanding by the delivery teams.
• Assist in awarding and negotiating key subcontracts, especially high-risk or high-value packages (e.g., mechanical, instrumentation, or process systems).
• Ensure strict adherence to federal, state, and local regulations (EPA, DEQ, DNR, etc.) and contract specifications.

Team Development & Staffing Strategy

• Mentor and develop project managers, engineers, and field staff; build a results-driven, growth-oriented culture.
• Partner with Ownership to assess staffing needs, conduct hiring interviews, and onboard new team members.
• Ensure that each project is staffed appropriately particularly those involving complex water treatment processes or specialty trades.

Safety & Quality Leadership

• Promote a culture of zero incidents by enforcing OSHA compliance, internal safety policies, and project-specific safety plans.
• Conduct regular safety audits and support third-party inspections.
• Oversee quality control protocols, inspections, and commissioning to ensure projects meet or exceed performance expectations.

Standardization & Process Optimization

• Champion the rollout of standardized procedures, tools, and technologies across all projects.
• Ensure construction teams are trained in and consistently use project management platforms and reporting systems.

Stakeholder & Public Engagement

• Act as the primary liaison for clients, consultants, and regulatory bodies.
• Build trust with public-sector partners through transparency and responsiveness.
• Represent the company in community meetings and public forums when required.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in heavy civil or municipal infrastructure construction, including at least 5 years in a senior operational leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in delivering municipal water/wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, or equivalent public infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of public procurement processes, regulatory compliance, and contract management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with construction management platforms and scheduling software.
• Bachelors degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field preferred.

Heads up!
We’re on the hunt for top talent on behalf of our awesome client! If this sounds like your kind of gig, hit that apply button! Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and we keep things 100% confidential. We’re all about equal opportunities here—everyone’s welcome!

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