Executive Vice President Business Operations

Crest Industries; Geismar (LA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal, part of the Crest family, seeks an Executive Vice President of Business Operations to set the operational direction across construction and maintenance, driving safety, schedule, and margins. Reporting to the President, you will translate backlog into executable plans, scale operations, and develop frontline leaders while partnering with commercial teams to ensure growth and value delivery.

Lead cross‑functional initiatives, standardize processes, and build a resilient operating model

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in business, operations, or related field.
• 10–15 years leading construction/industrial services operations.
• Proven ability to scale multi-site operations and improve safety, quality, and cost performance.
• Strong leadership, communication, and influencing skills.
• Ability to standardize processes and drive continuous improvement across regions.

Responsibilities

• Set operational direction and accountable for day‑to‑day execution across construction and maintenance operations.
• Translate backlog into clear, executable plans and align resources accordingly.
• Drive safety, on‑time delivery, and target margins with scalable processes.
• Develop frontline leaders and foster cross‑functional collaboration with Finance, Sales, and Marketing.
• Hold teams accountable and lead strategic planning aligned with company growth.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Operations management

Cross-functional alignment

Communication & influence

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Operations Management

Job description

About Optimal

At Optimal, we understand what’s at stake during your turnarounds and projects. That’s why we lead with integrity, trust, and expertise in everything we do. We retain proven, experienced craftsmen and, with multiple locations nationwide, execute hundreds of customized solutions so our clients can stay ahead of schedule and under budget.

you come first—plain and simple.

As part of the Crest family, we are committed to:

• We Take Care of our People
• We are our Word
• We Value Relationships
• We Have Something to Prove

Position Description

The Executive Vice President of Business Operations sets the operational direction for the business and is accountable for turning strategy into results. Reporting to the President, this role owns day‑to‑day execution across construction and maintenance operations - ensuring the right plans, people, and processes are in place to deliver safety, on schedule, and at target margins. This leader drives operational planning, aligns resources to backlog, and holds teams accountable for performance in the field. They build a strong, consistent operating model - standardizing how work gets done, improving productivity, and strengthening frontline leadership. The EVP serves as the President’s operational counterpart, taking ownership of execution so the President can stay focused on vision, growth, and business development. Working closely with commercial partners, this role translates backlog into clear, executable plans and ensures the business can scale without losing discipline on safety, quality, and cost.

Key Responsibilities

Drive Operational Execution

• Own performance across all operations
• Ensure delivery that reflects Optimal standards: safe, on time, and on budget
• Translate backlog and strategy into clear, executable operational plans
• Coordinate end‑to‑end execution to ensure scalability, reliability, and quality

Safety & Operational Excellence

• Ensure Health and Safety is the top priority in all operations
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational performance
• Analyze business performance to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities
• Develop and implement mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Define, monitor, and optimize KPIs across safety, quality, schedule, productivity, and margin
• Standardize, automate, and refine processes to improve efficiency and scalability
• Lead operational excellence initiatives that drive measurable results
• Serve as a subject matter expert in operational systems, tools, and best practices

Lead Through Influence & Relationships

• Build strong relationships with field teams, clients, and cross‑functional partners
• Communicate with clarity, energy, and persuasion to align teams
• Foster collaboration across Operations, Finance, Sales, and Marketing
• Conduct regular customer reviews to ensure alignment and drive growth

Develop Leaders & Strengthen Teams

• Build and develop high‑performing frontline leaders
• Create a culture of accountability, trust, and ownership
• Coach leaders to deliver results while developing their teams
• Promote an environment where people feel empowered to contribute and grow

Strategic Planning & Business Alignment

• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company goals
• Align labor, equipment, and resources to backlog and growth opportunities
• Partner with commercial teams to ensure seamless transition from sales to execution
• Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to improve operations

Process Standardization & Scalability

• Standardize how work gets done across regions and lines of business
• Build systems and frameworks that support scalable growth
• Ensure consistency in execution without sacrificing flexibility or responsiveness

Additional Leadership Responsibilities

• Perform complex and high‑impact assignments from executive leadership
• Cultivate strong relationships with clients, partners, and vendors
• Support organizational initiatives and strategic priorities
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field (required)
• 10-15 years of relevant leadership experience in construction, maintenance, or industrial services (required)
• Strong knowledge of operational systems, technical processes, and target markets
• In-depth understanding of competitive landscape
• Proven ability to lead multi‑site operations and scale execution
• Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills
• Strong strategic planning and execution capability
• Continuous improvement experience required

What Success Looks Like

You bring clarity to complexity and alignment to execution. Teams understand expectations, feel connected to the mission, and are held accountable to deliver.

You don’t just manage operations—you build a culture of ownership, strengthen leaders, and create a system that consistently delivers results.