Chief Operating Officer – Electrical & General Construction

Elite Executive Solutions; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Executive compensation package

Job summary

Elite Executive Solutions is conducting a confidential executive search for a Chief Operating Officer to join a growing electrical and general construction organization in the San Francisco Bay Area. The successful candidate will translate strategy into operational results, build scalable processes, and lead teams across multiple projects.

The COO will partner with executive leadership to shape company strategy, drive project execution, and expand capabilities while maintaining discipline,

Qualifications

• Significant progressive construction leadership experience at executive level.
• Experience in electrical construction, general contracting, MEP, or complex commercial construction.
• Ability to scale teams, processes, and operating infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of project financials, forecasting, margins, scheduling, and risk.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for company operations.
• Translate organizational strategy into measurable operational objectives and execution plans.
• Lead construction operations across multiple projects, teams, and functions.
• Establish operational standards for safety, quality, schedule, productivity, and profitability.
• Develop and mentor senior operational leaders including Project Executives and Superintendents.
• Oversee project performance including financials, schedules, procurement, risk, and client satisfaction.
• Establish KPIs and accountability across the organization.
• Strengthen collaboration among preconstruction, operations, project management, finance, and leadership.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Improve forecasting, resource planning, and operational visibility.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Operational excellence

People development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field

Job description

Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Electrical & General Construction

Confidential Executive Search

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California | Executive Leadership Role

Compensation: Highly Competitive Executive Package - DOE

Relocation Assistance Available for Qualified Candidates

About the Opportunity

Elite Executive Solutions is conducting a confidential executive search for an accomplished Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join a growing electrical and general construction organization in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for a proven construction executive who understands how to build teams, scale operations, drive project execution, strengthen accountability, and translate organizational strategy into operational results.

Working closely with executive leadership, the COO will provide strategic and operational direction across the business while helping develop the people, processes, systems, and operating structure necessary to support continued growth.

The successful executive will combine a strong construction background with the ability to think at an enterprise level while remaining connected to the realities of project execution and field operations.

Why This Opportunity?

This position offers an opportunity to help shape the future of a growing construction organization rather than simply maintain an established operating model.

• Partner directly with executive leadership on company strategy and growth.
• Lead and develop high-performing operational teams.
• Strengthen project execution and operational consistency across the organization.
• Build scalable processes and accountability as the company grows.
• Influence organizational structure, talent strategy, and leadership development.
• Improve visibility into operational and project performance.
• Help expand the company's capabilities, market presence, and project portfolio.

For an executive who enjoys building organizations, developing people, solving complex operational challenges, and driving growth, this represents an exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for company operations.
• Translate organizational strategy into measurable operational objectives and execution plans.
• Lead construction operations across multiple projects, teams, and business functions.
• Establish operational standards that drive safety, quality, schedule performance, productivity, and profitability.
• Develop and mentor senior operational leaders, including Project Executives, Project Managers, Superintendents, and other key leadership personnel.
• Partner with estimating and preconstruction leadership to ensure appropriate project selection, planning, staffing, and execution.
• Oversee project performance, including financial results, schedules, manpower, procurement, risk, and client satisfaction.
• Establish meaningful operational KPIs and accountability across the organization.
• Strengthen collaboration between preconstruction, operations, project management, field leadership, finance, and executive leadership.
• Identify operational risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate organizational structure, processes, technology, and resources necessary to support continued growth.
• Improve forecasting, resource planning, productivity, and operational visibility.
• Develop scalable processes and systems while maintaining the organization’s ability to operate quickly and effectively.
• Support geographic expansion, new markets, strategic partnerships, and other growth initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and industry partners.
• Promote a culture centered on accountability, safety, quality, leadership development, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Significant progressive construction leadership experience, ideally including experience at the COO, President, EVP/SVP Operations, VP Operations, Regional President, or comparable executive level.
• Strong background within electrical construction, general contracting, MEP, mission-critical/data center construction, specialty contracting, or complex commercial construction.
• Demonstrated experience leading substantial construction operations and project portfolios.
• Proven ability to scale teams, processes, and operating infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of project financials, forecasting, margins, labor productivity, scheduling, procurement, and risk management.
• Demonstrated success building and developing senior operational leadership teams.
• Experience establishing operational KPIs and driving accountability throughout an organization.
• Strong understanding of both field operations and project management.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with finance, preconstruction, estimating, business development, and executive leadership.
• Strong commercial judgment and understanding of construction contracts and project risk.
• Exceptional executive presence, communication skills, leadership ability, and business judgment.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and growth-oriented organization.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent industry experience will be considered.

The Ideal Executive

The ideal candidate is a builder of businesses and people, not simply a manager of projects.

This executive understands the entire construction lifecycle - from opportunity identification and preconstruction through project execution, closeout, and long-term client relationships.

They know how to balance growth with discipline, field execution with financial performance, and entrepreneurial speed with operational structure.

Most importantly, the successful COO will understand that sustainable construction growth depends on exceptional people. They will have a demonstrated ability to identify, develop, mentor, and retain strong leaders while creating an organization capable of executing increasingly complex projects.

Compensation & Executive Package

The organization is prepared to offer a highly competitive executive compensation package commensurate with the significance of the position and experience of the selected candidate.

The overall package may include:

• Highly competitive executive base compensation
• Executive performance incentive
• Comprehensive benefits
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates
• Significant opportunity to influence the growth and future direction of the organization

Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, leadership background, and overall alignment with the position.

Confidentiality

This search is being conducted confidentially by Elite Executive Solutions.

We understand that many qualified executives will currently hold senior leadership positions within the construction industry. All inquiries and conversations will be handled with the appropriate level of discretion and confidentiality.

Elite Executive Solutions

Connecting exceptional leaders with exceptional opportunities.