Chief Operating Officer - EPC/landscaping

akmv; Delhi; On-site; INR 5,000,000 - 9,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Grotech is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to drive overall business operations, project execution, and profitable growth across landscape, horticulture, irrigation, and green infrastructure projects in India. You will lead large, multi-location programs, optimize processes, and strengthen client relationships while building a high-performance organization.

The role requires 15+ years of leadership experience, a strategic mindset, and a track record of scaling operations, with responsibility

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership experience in Landscape EPC, Infrastructure, Irrigation, or allied industries.
• Own the P&L and drive sustainable profitability across multiple projects.
• Experience leading multi-location operations with large-scale project delivery.
• Strong exposure to commercial management, contracts, procurement, and governance.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute long-term business strategy in collaboration with promoters.
• Lead end-to-end landscape, horticulture, irrigation, and EPC project delivery.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and profitability across units.
• Manage client relationships and strategic accounts; pursue new business opportunities.
• Oversee tender reviews, contract negotiations, and change management.

Skills

Strategic leadership

P&L management

Operations management

Client relationship management

Commercial & contract management

Business development

Multi-location operations

Large workforce leadership

Financial planning & cost optimization

Governance & compliance

Risk management

Change management

Negotiation & stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Management

MBA or postgraduate qualification

Job description

Designation – COO

Location: New Delhi

Industry: Landscape EPC | Horticulture | Irrigation | Green Infrastructure

Experience: 15+ years

Role Purpose

The Chief Operating Officer will be responsible for driving the overall business operations, project execution, strategic growth, and profitability of our client. The incumbent will lead large-scale landscape, horticulture, irrigation, and green infrastructure projects while ensuring operational excellence, client satisfaction, financial performance, and sustainable business expansion. The role requires a commercially astute leader capable of scaling operations, strengthening client relationships, developing new business opportunities, and building a high-performance organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Business Strategy & Growth: Partner with the promoters to define and execute the organization's long-term business strategy. Identify and develop new business opportunities across commercial real estate, industrial parks, airports, hospitality, educational institutions, healthcare, government, and infrastructure sectors. Expand Grotech's presence into new geographies, market segments, and service offerings. Develop strategic partnerships with developers, architects, consultants, PMC firms, and government agencies. Drive sustainable revenue growth while strengthening the company's market position.
• Operations & Project Delivery: Lead end-to-end execution of multiple landscape, horticulture, irrigation, and EPC projects across India. Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Establish operational excellence through standardized processes, SOPs, and project governance. Monitor project schedules, resource utilization, procurement, quality, safety, and client deliverables. Improve operational efficiency through continuous process improvement and technology adoption.
• Financial Leadership & P&L Management: Own the overall business P&L and drive sustainable profitability. Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and cash flow management. Improve gross margins through effective commercial management and cost optimization. Monitor project profitability, working capital, receivables (DSO), and overall financial performance. Establish financial discipline across projects and business functions.
• Business Development & Client Management: Build and nurture relationships with developers, corporates, government agencies, consultants, architects, and key stakeholders. Support business development by participating in strategic client engagements, negotiations, and bid reviews. Identify opportunities for repeat business and long-term client partnerships. Serve as the executive escalation point for key clients and strategic accounts.
• Project Commercials & Contracts: Oversee project commercial management, tender reviews, contract negotiations, and change order management. Ensure effective risk identification and mitigation throughout the project lifecycle. Monitor contractual obligations, claims, vendor management, and project profitability. Strengthen governance around procurement, subcontractor management, and commercial controls.
• Leadership & Organizational Development: Lead and mentor senior leadership across Operations, Projects, Commercial, Procurement, Finance, HR, and Business Development. Build a culture of ownership, collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence. Drive succession planning, capability development, and leadership pipeline initiatives. Ensure effective workforce planning for both corporate and project teams.
• Operational Governance & Compliance: Establish robust governance frameworks across all business functions. Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, environmental norms, labour laws, contractual obligations, and safety standards. Drive implementation of quality management systems and operational audits. Promote best practices in risk management, sustainability, and corporate governance.
• Performance Management & Reporting: Develop MIS dashboards and business intelligence reports for leadership review. Track key business KPIs including: Revenue Growth, EBITDA, Project Profitability, Order Book, Project Timelines, Client Satisfaction, Resource Utilization, Cash Flow, DSO. Present periodic business reviews and strategic recommendations to the Managing Director.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, or a related discipline. MBA or Postgraduate qualification preferred.
• Experience: 15–25 years of leadership experience in Landscape EPC, Infrastructure, Construction, Irrigation, Facility Management, Green Infrastructure, or allied industries. Demonstrated experience managing multi-location operations and large-scale project execution. Proven track record of owning P&L and driving business profitability. Strong exposure to commercial management, contracts, procurement, and project delivery. Experience leading organizations through periods of growth and operational transformation.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Business Leadership
• P&L Management
• Operations & Project Management
• Business Development
• Client Relationship Management
• Commercial & Contract Management
• Multi-location Operations
• Large Workforce Leadership
• Financial Planning & Cost Optimization
• Governance & Compliance
• Risk Management
• Change Management
• Negotiation & Stakeholder Management

Preferred Industry Background

• Landscape Contracting
• Horticulture & Green Infrastructure
• EPC & Infrastructure
• Irrigation Systems
• Real Estate Project Delivery
• Facility Management
• Urban Infrastructure
• Environmental Engineering
• Smart City Projects

Success Metrics (First 12 Months)

• Improve overall project delivery performance and on-time completion.
• Increase operational efficiency and profitability across business units.
• Strengthen client retention and generate repeat business.
• Build a scalable operational structure to support future expansion.
• Enhance governance, compliance, and reporting frameworks.
• Develop a high-performing leadership team and succession pipeline.