Branch Manager

Merit Restorations; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Vision insurance

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Merit Restorations seeks a dedicated Branch Manager to lead the daily operations of our Arlington, TX branch. You will oversee office and field personnel, drive branch performance, and ensure safety, quality, and compliance across all projects.

You may also step into Estimator or Project Manager roles for large or complex claims as needed. You will manage staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and client communications while building strong relationships with adjusters, brokers, and referral partners

Qualifications

• Experience leading a branch or large team in restoration/construction.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, revenue, and margins.
• Strong communication with customers, adjusters, and vendors.
• Ability to oversee field staff and office staff with ownership mindset.
• Knowledge of estimating software (Xactimate) is preferred.
• Certification in Xactimate (Level 1) or willingness to obtain it.

Responsibilities

• Lead branch strategy aligned with Merit’s mission and standards.
• Oversee staffing, scheduling, and daily coordination of teams.
• Manage branch budget, revenue targets, and profitability.
• Maintain relationships with adjusters, brokers, and referral partners.
• Oversee vehicle fleet, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Serve as Estimator/Project Manager for large or complex claims.

Skills

Leadership

Operations Management

Budgeting

Client relations

Staff development

Contract management

Education

Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience

Tools

Xactimate

XactAnalysis

Cotality Estimate (Symbility)

Job description

We specialize in mitigating and rebuilding residential and commercial properties damaged by fire, water, storms, and other disasters. We partner with leading insurance carriers and handle everything from emergency cleanup to complete rebuilds, with a focus on safety, integrity, and advocacy. As entrepreneurs, we take full ownership of the work we do and the families we serve.

At Merit, our purpose is simple and non-negotiable: we work together as a team so we can change lives.

Why we exist.

As Branch Manager, you are responsible for the daily operations and overall performance of the branch, including direct oversight of office and field personnel. As needed, you may also serve as Estimator and/or Project Manager for large-loss, complex, commercial, or high-visibility claims, or step into other roles required to protect the health of the branch.

WHAT YOU WILL FULLY OWN

As Branch Manager, you have full ownership of:

Branch staff development, coaching, accountability, and retention

Daily, weekly, and monthly branch performance (revenue, margin, billing, AR)

Customer updates, expectations, and satisfaction in accordance with SOPs

Subcontractor assignment and oversight on approved jobs

Enforcing compliance with SOPs, Albi, and company protocols

Maintaining branch culture, morale, and operational discipline

Branch vehicle and fleet oversight

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Strategy, Leadership & Branch Management

Lead branch strategy in alignment with Merit’s mission, values, and operational standards

Build and maintain a strong branch culture rooted in accountability, ownership, and trust

Oversee staffing, scheduling, and daily coordination of office and field teams

Lead weekly performance reviews with Project Managers and key staff

Exercise hiring and termination authority for field staff within approved thresholds

Escalate issues appropriately, including expenses over $5,000, legal matters, or SOP deviations

Build and maintain strong relationships with adjusters, brokers, TPAs, and referral partners

Branch vehicle and fleet oversight, including ownership of monthly inspections, cleanliness and professional appearance, mileage and usage accountability, accident reporting and follow-up, preventive maintenance, and compliance with all safety, inspection, and registration requirements — ensuring all vehicles are safe, reliable, and represent the Merit brand well

Daily Execution & Operational Control

Review branch schedule and capacity for the upcoming seven days

Review the “jobs at risk” dashboard daily and ensure timely corrective action

Monitor customer concerns, delays, and survey feedback; personally address neutral or negative feedback

Communicate daily priorities, escalations, and customer-impacting updates to the team

Approve purchases under $5,000 and ensure material orders align with scope and budget

Review billing readiness, revenue billed, collections progress, and aging receivables

Conduct daily walkthroughs of the office and warehouse for cleanliness, safety, and readiness

Ensure documentation, invoices, logs, and project notes are accurate and complete

Claim Oversight & Execution

Assign incoming claims evenly and strategically across project managers and technicians

Conduct weekly PM reviews focused on open jobs, receivables, communication quality, job costing, and customer experience

Serve as Estimator or Project Manager for large-loss, complex, commercial, or high-visibility claims when needed

Prepare scopes and estimates using Xactimate and submit to carriers or clients

Oversee supplements, change orders, invoicing, and carrier communications

Handle escalations, warranty issues, and program compliance requirements

Customer, Team & Vendor Leadership

Maintain high-level communication with customers at key milestones

Participate in complex job kickoff meetings

Ensure carrier-required updates are timely and properly documented

Develop, coach, and retain a strong, productive team

Assign and oversee subcontractors from the approved vendor pool and ensure compliance with expectations

Financial & Operational Stewardship

Manage branch budget and ensure revenue and margin targets are met

Monitor financial indicators weekly, including revenue billed, AR aging, profitability, and close rates

Ensure projects are executed in alignment with branch financial goals

Minimum of 5-8 years in the restoration or construction industry.

Proven leader with strong team-building, motivation, and retention skills, capable of running daily branch operations while still carrying a full project load of their own.

Self-directed and driven — you take ownership of outcomes, not just activities.

Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to prioritize across multiple projects at once.

A clear, confident communicator — with clients, adjusters, your team, and the executive team.

Resilient and resourceful, especially when launching or stabilizing a new office.

Strong problem-solving skills, with a customer service mindset that includes negotiation and conflict resolution.

Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and quality.

Demonstrated ability to grow sales, with an understanding of budgeting, profit margins, and profit and loss statements.

Experience with XactAnalysis, Xactimate, and Cotality Estimate (Symbility) is preferred, but training will be provided if needed.

Level 1 certification in Xactimate or willingness to obtain certification. Knowledge of TPA procedures is a plus.

WRT, ASD, Mold, or other IICRC certifications are advantageous.

Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience is a plus.

Valid driver's license and eligibility to work in the United States.

Ability to pass a background check and drug screening; no felony convictions.

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance
• Unlimited PTO