Director of Operations - Construction

MRINetwork; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary

Performance incentive

Vehicle allowance

Health benefits

401(k)

Paid time off

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Highland Consulting Group, on behalf of a well‑established Pittsburgh area contractor, is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead construction operations to the executive leadership team.

You will build and mentor project teams, drive safety, quality, and profitability across multiple projects, and shape long‑term operational strategy in a fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• Significant construction operations leadership experience with a general contractor, construction manager, or large specialty contractor.
• Proven success managing multiple projects and operational leaders at one time.
• Strong understanding of commercial, institutional, industrial, healthcare, education, mixed‑use, or similarly complex construction projects.
• Experience managing project financials, WIP reporting, forecasting, schedules, manpower planning, and risk.
• Ability to lead people at all levels of the organization, from senior leadership to field personnel.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust with clients, subcontractors, and internal teams.
• Process‑oriented mindset with the ability to improve systems without losing sight of relationships and field realities.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, accountability, emotional intelligence, and a steady leadership style.
• Experience with construction software, project management platforms, Microsoft Office, and financial reporting tools.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field is preferred but not required for the right level of experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for construction operations, including project management, field operations, scheduling, safety, quality, and financial performance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Project Executives, Project Managers, Superintendents, and other operational team members.
• Oversee multiple projects and ensure they are completed safely, on time, within budget, and in alignment with company standards.
• Partner with estimating, preconstruction, accounting, safety, and field leadership to ensure strong communication from pursuit through project closeout.
• Review project performance, WIP reports, forecasts, schedules, staffing plans, and potential risk areas on a regular basis.
• Support contract review, change order management, claims avoidance, and risk management efforts.
• Establish and improve operational processes, procedures, accountability systems, and best practices across the company.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure that safety remains a top priority on every project.
• Maintain strong relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal team members.
• Work with executive leadership to support business planning, growth initiatives, staffing needs, and long‑term operational strategy.

Skills

Construction leadership

Project management

Team development

Safety & quality

Financial management

Communication skills

Risk management

Process improvement

MS Office

PM software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project management software

Job description

Director of Operations – Construction

Pittsburgh, PA Area | Executive Leadership Opportunity

Highland Consulting Group is a national executive search firm that specializes in placing top construction professionals with respected contractors throughout the country. We are working with a larger, well-established construction company in the Pittsburgh area that is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to join its executive leadership team.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a proven construction operations leader who enjoys building teams, improving systems, developing people, and helping drive the long‑term direction of a growing organization. The ideal candidate will bring strong field and office leadership experience, a practical understanding of construction operations, and the ability to manage multiple project teams while maintaining accountability for safety, quality, schedule, profitability, and client satisfaction.

Why This Role Matters

The Director of Operations will play a critical role in leading the company’s construction operations and supporting continued growth throughout the Pittsburgh market. This person will work closely with ownership and senior leadership to strengthen operational performance, develop project teams, improve consistency across the organization, and ensure projects are delivered safely, profitably, and to the highest standards.

This is a position for someone who wants to have a real voice in the business. The successful candidate will be trusted to lead operations, support strategic decisions, mentor project leaders, and help create the structure needed for continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for construction operations, including project management, field operations, scheduling, safety, quality, and financial performance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Project Executives, Project Managers, Superintendents, and other operational team members.
• Oversee multiple projects and ensure they are completed safely, on time, within budget, and in alignment with company standards.
• Partner with estimating, preconstruction, accounting, safety, and field leadership to ensure strong communication from pursuit through project closeout.
• Review project performance, WIP reports, forecasts, schedules, staffing plans, and potential risk areas on a regular basis.
• Support contract review, change order management, claims avoidance, and risk management efforts.
• Establish and improve operational processes, procedures, accountability systems, and best practices across the company.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure that safety remains a top priority on every project.
• Maintain strong relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal team members.
• Work with executive leadership to support business planning, growth initiatives, staffing needs, and long‑term operational strategy.

What We Are Looking For

• Significant construction operations leadership experience with a general contractor, construction manager, or large specialty contractor.
• Proven success managing multiple projects, project teams, and operational leaders at one time.
• Strong understanding of commercial, institutional, industrial, healthcare, education, mixed‑use, or similarly complex construction projects.
• Experience managing project financials, WIP reporting, forecasting, schedules, manpower planning, and risk.
• Ability to lead people at all levels of the organization, from senior leadership to field personnel.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust with clients, subcontractors, and internal teams.
• Process‑oriented mindset with the ability to improve systems without losing sight of relationships and field realities.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, accountability, emotional intelligence, and a steady leadership style.
• Experience with construction software, project management platforms, Microsoft Office, and financial reporting tools.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field is preferred but not required for the right level of experience.

Compensation and Benefits

Our client offers a strong compensation package designed to attract a high‑level construction leader. The package is expected to include a competitive base salary, performance‑based incentive opportunity, vehicle allowance, comprehensive health benefits, 401(k), paid time off, and long‑term career growth potential.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is a strong opportunity for an operations leader who wants more than simply managing projects. This position offers the ability to influence company direction, develop future leaders, improve operational performance, and help a successful construction company continue to grow in the Pittsburgh region.

If you are a construction operations professional who enjoys leading people, building structure, improving performance, and being part of an executive leadership team, this could be an excellent next step in your career.

Contact

David O’Connor
Managing Director
Highland Consulting Group
2000 Tower Way, Suite 2041
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-837-6336
[e-mail]

Confidentiality: We respect your privacy and will never submit your resume to any company without your direct permission.