SVP of Operations (Underground Utility)

Ultimate Staffing; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 320,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary Bonus

Potential Equity Opportunity

Executive Leadership Visibility

Job summary

Ultimate Staffing seeks a Senior Vice President of Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership across Northern and Southern California. This executive role oversees performance, safety, and growth, with accountability for a $200M+ P&L.

Onsite requirements include travel and presence in Irvine, CA approximately three times per month. The ideal candidate has 12+ years in construction leadership, with 5+ years in an executive operations role, and a background in underground utility

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience within the construction industry.
• 5+ years in an executive-level operations leadership role.
• Experience leading organizations with $200M+ P&L responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Drive profitable growth through disciplined project execution and customer-focused delivery.
• Develop and execute short and long-term business strategies.
• Support business development initiatives, partnerships, and growth opportunities.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.

Skills

P&L Management

Strategic Planning

Budgeting & Forecasting

Estimating & Project Controls

Risk Management

Contract Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction/Business

Job description

Senior Vice President of Operations

Location: California

Required: Ability to be onsite in Irvine, CA approximately 3 times per month

Compensation: $320,000 - $350,000 Base Salary + Bonus + Potential Equity

About the Opportunity

Our client, a leading utility infrastructure and construction organization, is seeking a Senior Vice President of Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership across Northern and Southern California. This executive role is accountable for business performance, operational execution, financial results, safety, customer satisfaction, and long-term growth.

The ideal candidate will bring significant experience within underground utility, pipeline, gas distribution, water/sewer, fiber, or directional drilling construction operations and have a proven track record leading large-scale construction organizations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Drive profitable growth through disciplined project execution and customer-focused delivery.
• Develop and execute short and long-term business strategies.
• Support business development initiatives, partnerships, and growth opportunities.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.

Operational Management

• Provide executive oversight of large-scale utility construction operations.
• Establish strategic priorities and hold operational leaders accountable for results.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with employees, customers, construction partners, and key stakeholders.
• Utilize KPIs and performance metrics to drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, efficiency, and profitability.
• Oversee estimating, bidding, planning, project execution, and risk management activities.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with contractual obligations.

Financial Leadership

• Manage annual budgets, capital plans, and long-term forecasts.
• Lead a business with $200M+ P&L responsibility.
• Drive operational efficiency while maintaining safety, quality, and customer service standards.
• Partner with executive leadership and finance teams to achieve growth and profitability objectives.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience within the construction industry.
• 5+ years in an executive-level operations leadership role.
• Proven success managing large-scale construction operations and capital programs.
• Experience leading organizations with $200M+ P&L responsibility.
• Strong background in leadership development, operational improvement, and strategic planning.

Preferred Industry Background

• Underground utility construction
• Pipeline construction
• Gas transmission and distribution
• Directional drilling
• Water and sewer infrastructure
• Fiber infrastructure construction
• Utility services and public works environments

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Key Skills

• Construction Operations Leadership
• P&L Management
• Strategic Planning
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Estimating & Project Controls
• Risk Management
• Contract Management
• Leadership Development
• Regulatory Compliance
• Safety Leadership
• Operational Excellence

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $320,000 - $350,000
• Discretionary Bonus
• Potential Equity Opportunity for Exceptional Candidates
• Executive Leadership Visibility and Impact
• Opportunity to lead major utility infrastructure operations throughout California

Location Requirements: Candidates may reside anywhere in California; however, the selected executive must be available to travel and be onsite in Irvine, CA approximately three times per month.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.