Operations Manager

Index Search Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Index Search Group is partnering with an established organization in the underground construction and infrastructure services industry to identify an experienced Operations Manager. This hands-on leader will direct day-to-day field operations, oversee multiple field teams, and drive safe, efficient, and profitable project delivery.

You will coordinate manpower, equipment, scheduling, and resources with Project Management, while maintaining strong safety and quality standards and aligning with

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in underground construction, infrastructure, field services, or related environment.
• Experience leading multiple field crews or operational teams.
• Experience managing schedules, resources, costs, and project performance.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day field operations across multiple projects
• Manage and develop field leadership and operational teams
• Coordinate manpower, equipment, scheduling, and resources
• Partner with Project Management to support successful project execution
• Monitor project costs, productivity, forecasting, and overall performance
• Maintain high standards for safety, quality, and operational consistency
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve processes and efficiency
• Support hiring, training, and development of operational personnel

Skills

Field leadership

Multi-project ops

Scheduling & costs

Financial acumen

Cross-functional collaboration

Underground construction experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

We are partnering with an established organization in the underground construction and infrastructure services industry to identify an experienced Operations Manager. This individual will lead day-to-day field operations and play an important role in improving operational performance, developing teams, and ensuring projects are executed safely, efficiently, and profitably.

This is a hands-on leadership position overseeing multiple field teams and projects. The Operations Manager will work closely with Project Management and other internal departments to coordinate manpower, equipment, schedules, and resources while maintaining strong standards around safety, quality, and customer expectations. The underlying role carries responsibility for scheduling, equipment, field personnel, safety, quality, and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day field operations across multiple projects
• Manage and develop field leadership and operational teams
• Coordinate manpower, equipment, scheduling, and other resources
• Partner with Project Management to support successful project execution
• Monitor project costs, productivity, forecasting, and overall performance
• Maintain high standards for safety, quality, and operational consistency
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve processes and efficiency
• Support hiring, training, and development of operational personnel

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of experience in underground construction, infrastructure, field services, or a related environment
• Experience leading multiple field crews or operational teams
• Strong understanding of project-based operations
• Experience managing schedules, resources, costs, and project performance
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Ability to work effectively across Operations, Project Management, Safety, and other functions
• Experience working in a multi-project environment
• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required

The role specifically calls for someone who has managed field operations, understands project costs and forecasting, and can manage multiple projects simultaneously.