Senior Divisional Operations Director

Derse; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Comprehensive benefits

Long-term stability

Job summary

Derse is a full-service face-to-face marketing agency and exhibit builder seeking a Senior Divisional Operations Director in Milwaukee. You will lead post-sale operations to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

In partnership with the Sr. Divisional VP, you will oversee Project Management, Production, Logistics and Administration, driving continuous improvement, profitability and excellent client satisfaction while developing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or similar with 8+ years of relevant operational leadership.
• Proven experience leading and coaching multiple departments and personnel.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; ERP systems knowledge is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the post-sale experience by ensuring projects meet quality, schedule, and budget goals.
• Lead the Project Management, Production, Logistics, and Administration teams to deliver high-quality results.
• Collaborate with Sales, Design, Fabric, and Estimating to support growth and readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing/Finance

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

PowerPoint

Job description

Derse is a complete face-to-face marketing agency and exhibit builder. We bring a smarter approach to building client sales while managing their trade show, marketing environments and event programs. Our teams are made up of smart and forward-thinking people who bring experiential marketing solutions to life!

We believe in committing to a long-term investment in your career with a total rewards package including:

• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package
• A bright and energetic culture where your ideas are valued
• 75+ years of financial stability

Derse employs over 600 people in marketing, program management, creative & skilled production, and corporate support. Locations include Milwaukee, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, Pittsburgh, and various communities in Poland & Germany. Visit our website derse.com to learn more!

As the Senior Divisional Operations Director, you'll provide strategic leadership for all post-sale operations, ensuring customer projects are executed safely, on time, in budget, and of the highest quality. In collaboration with the Sr. Divisional Vice President, this role is accountable for divisional operational performance, profitability, client satisfaction, employee development, and overall continuous improvement.

Senior Divisional Operations Director Responsibilities

• Own the post-sale experience by ensuring projects meet or exceed expectations for quality, schedule, communication, and execution
• Lead the Project Management, Production, Logistics, and Administration departments to execute projects to highest quality standard
• Collaborate with sales, design, fabric, and estimating departments to support growth planning and operational readiness
• Partner with Sr. Divisional Vice President on strategic planning, growth, facility utilization, staffing, and capital investment needs
• Achieve employee retention goals through proactive leadership and fostering a collaborative, accountable culture
• Provide executive oversight for high-risk, accelerated, or strategically significant projects
• Facilitate weekly Operations and Production meetings to maintain timelines, quality, and resources within project standards
• Identify operational risks, capacity constraints, and execution challenges while implementing proactive solutions
• Forecast workload, staffing, labor, and operational spending to ensure readiness for future demand
• Review production schedules and capacity, while allocating resources to maximize operational efficiency
• Enforce operational processes and standards throughout the project lifecycle
• Drive continuous improvement through standardized processes, technology automation, and operational best practices.
• Reduce number of negative field reports, customer escalations, and project issues while meeting established goals
• Ensure compliance with Derse policies, safety standards, and union agreements when applicable
• Prepare and present monthly operational and financial performance, including job variances, metrics, and corrective plans
• Take complete accountability for operational performance, job profitability, client satisfaction, and department budget performance

Senior Divisional Operations Director Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or similar with 8+ years of relevant operational leadership required.
• Prior experience leading and coaching variety of departments and personnel required.
• Direct industry experience and management preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite including; Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and related required. ERP systems knowledge preferred.
• This is an in-office position but may require travel to support business climate. Travel is considered minimum to moderate.