Landscape Construction Operations Manager

BRILTALENTA; Libertyville (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading landscape design-build-maintenance firm in Northern Chicago is seeking a Landscape Construction Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring projects meet high quality and budget standards. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in landscape construction, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to operational excellence.

Benefits

Highly competitive benefits package

Company vehicle

Low employee contributions

Qualifications

• 7 or more years of experience in landscape construction or field operations.
• Experience managing crews/projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day landscape construction operations.
• Plan material needs and coordinate with supervisors.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Skills

Operational efficiency

Leadership

Budget management

Strong communication

Project management

Tools

Aspire

Job description

Libertyville, IL | $80,000–$100,000 | Full-Time

Lead with Purpose. Build With Pride.

We are working with a well-respected, privately held landscape design-build-maintenance firm in the Northern Chicago suburbs seeking a Landscape Construction Operations Manager to lead its landscape construction operations. With a reputation for transforming high-end residential properties into exceptional outdoor spaces, this company offers a stable, people-first environment where craftsmanship, relationships, and operational excellence are deeply valued.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Grounded and Relationship-Driven: This is not a corporate environment. The leadership team knows the crews by name, and there’s a shared commitment to doing quality work—together.
• Stability with Flexibility: With over 80 seasonal crew members and a core group of full-time team leaders, this company knows how to keep people coming back—and how to adapt to changing project demands.
• High-end Residential Projects: This company has built a client base for nearly 35 years with award-winning, complex, well-integrated residential landscape projects that transform landscapes and lives across generations.
• Leadership with Support: You’ll be empowered to lead Construction Operations with autonomy, while working closely with experienced operations, design, sales, and finance professionals.
• Compensation & Perks: $80,000–$100,000+ salary range commensurate with experience, highly competitive benefits package with low employee contributions, a company vehicle, and the satisfaction of being trusted to do your job without micromanagement.
  
  

About The Role

You’ll manage all aspects of day-to-day landscape construction operations—from scheduling and planning to purchasing hard goods and managing supervisors and foremen of crews. You’ll work across departments to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the high standards clients expect and deserve.

Your Days Involve

• Arriving before the 6:30 AM crew call to review schedules, job tickets, and resource needs
• Coaching and coordinating with supervisors and project managers to align daily priorities
• Planning to ensure materials and equipment are available; ensuring crews have the right tools and equipment for the job
• Using Aspire to manage time, costs, scheduling, and updates—your mastery of this system will ensure projects run smoothly, tighten communication, and keep everyone aligned
• Taking full responsibility for delivering on client promises, managing multiple projects with professionalism, accuracy, and accountability
• Keeping a sharp eye on operational efficiency and profitability, knowing that structure, preparedness, and follow-through are the foundation of success
• Collaborating proactively with Sales to align project expectations, materials, and deadlines—while staying flexible when priorities shift as they do.
• Visiting job sites weekly to monitor quality and support foremen and crews
  
  

Crew Culture Matters

This company’s success is built on the dedication and pride of its 80+ seasonal crew members, most of whom return year after year. Just as sales teams drive business development, the crew is the force that brings every project to life. Without them, nothing happens.

As Construction Operations Manager, your ability to build strong, respectful relationships with team members is essential. That means meeting people where they are, understanding their skills and strengths, and leading with integrity. When the team members feel respected, supported, and understood, they take ownership—and that’s when the work truly shines.

Who We’re Looking For

Perfect role for a steady, grounded leader who understands the work and can manage people, timelines, budgets, materials, and installation with clarity and consistency.

You’ll Thrive If You

• Maintain a sharp focus on quality, operational efficiency and profitability—from scheduling to materials to crew utilization
• Lead with structure and foresight: this role requires someone who is highly organized, financially savvy, and able to manage complexity with calm and clarity
• Possess 7 or more years of progressively responsible experience in landscape construction or field operations, including managing crews/projects
• Understand construction equipment, job site logistics, and the importance of assigning the right tools to the job
• Are a strong communicator who values structure and accountability
• Have experience with (or are ready to master) Aspire
• Speak Spanish (a plus, not required)
• Hold a valid driver’s license and have a clean driving record
  
  

What Your First 90 Days Looks Like

• 30 Days: We’ll get you set up. Through shadowing and ride-alongs, you’ll get to know the systems, meet the team, and begin to understand project flow. By the end of the first month, you’ll have a clear grasp of company goals, project expectations, the client portfolio, and the near- and long-term work ahead.
• 60 Days: You’re actively contributing—helping lead daily operations, coordinating material procurement, and collaborating across departments to keep projects on track and clients satisfied.
• 90 Days: You’ve taken full ownership of Construction Operations performance. You’re confidently managing day-to-day operations, troubleshooting issues as they arise, coaching and mentoring team members and planning for future needs, efficiencies, and growth.
  
  

This is a career-building role—not a corporate ladder climb. We’re looking for someone who wants to be a part of something meaningful and lasting.

Let’s Talk

If you're a steady, organized, hands-on leader who understands people, process, and quality—and you're ready to step into a role that makes a real impact—we’d love to hear from you.