Vice President of Operations

Suffolk Construction; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Medical and mental health benefits

401(k) plan with employer match

Generous paid time off

Short- and long-term disability insurance

Job summary

Suffolk Construction is looking for a Vice President of Field Operations to provide executive leadership over Mission Critical operations. The role includes responsibility for staffing, safety, operational execution, and overall field performance, ensuring complex project delivery by driving standardization and workforce readiness.

The successful candidate will have a bachelor's degree in Engineering or Construction Management, at least 15 years of Data Center experience, and strong leadership skills. An attractive benefits package is also offered, including competitive salaries and comprehensive health benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of Data Center General Contractor experience.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead field operations and ensure operational standards are met.
• Manage departmental budgets and forecast financial needs.
• Participate in safety and compliance initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Safety compliance

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Construction Management

Job description

The Role

Vice President of Field Operations provides executive leadership for Mission Critical operations across assigned regions, with direct accountability for staffing, safety, operational execution, and field performance. This role ensures consistent delivery of complex, high‑reliability projects by driving standardization, workforce readiness, and disciplined adherence to operating procedures across all active sites.

Responsibilities

• Participate in Hiring, help mentor, develop, and oversee field staff to meet Operational Standards (SOP's). Provide consistency throughout the various projects from an operational perspective.
• Serve on national committees for the review and development of Field Operations Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).
• Establish initiatives and control techniques for the implementation of SOP's.
• Establish and lead Company relationships with key industry representatives including local trade unions, trade associations, public agencies, and jurisdictional authorities.
• Plan, prepare, control, monitor, and forecast departmental direct and/or indirect budgets. This includes developing GR budgets and providing input on GC Staffing.
• Coordinate and support cross‑functional efforts between departments and Field Operations.
• Be a resource for Operations as it relates to safety, productivity, and motivation in Field Operations staff.
• Participate in Business Development efforts to maximize awards, including developing proposal schedules, logistics plans, and construction analysis, and presenting our capabilities in pre‑construction planning, staging, sequencing, safety, and quality control.
• Oversee project start‑up (mobilization) and closeout (demobilization) processes to ensure compliance with SOP's.
• Develop, schedule, and conduct bi‑monthly Superintendent meetings.

Scheduling

• Support the policies and procedures, staffing, resources, and quality of work product.
• Continually monitor and evaluate project schedule performance and recommend action plans to improve progress and total schedule performance measurements.
• Work with individual project teams to develop and manage project schedules, including developing recovery plans and implementing management plans to meet schedule demands. Coupled with monthly reviews of all project schedules to understand progress and failures.

Safety

• Support the Company's risk management and safety processes to promote a safe working environment.
• Coordinate with the Safety Director and construction teams to ensure appropriate levels of coverage.
• Monitor safety reporting and help implement measures to improve safety levels and/or respond to deficiencies.

People

• Mentor, coach, and train field employees to perform and ensure effective matching of talent and project scope.
• Seek out and recruit key employees; participate in the hiring, training, development, and placement of the Field Operations staff.
• Monitor the performance review process for all field staff to ensure professional development for all employees is maintained, providing feedback and attending in‑person reviews as needed or desired.
• Partner with training to maintain a continuous learning environment for employee skill development and career growth (beyond L&D curriculum).

Work Acquisition and Client Management

• Identify and cultivate new client relationships; develop relationship with, and have the pulse of, existing clients.
• Recommend general conditions and fees to the General Manager.
• Assist in strategic subcontractor management.
• Participate in contract negotiation as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Construction Management and/or experience relative to size/scope of projects.
• Minimum of 15 years of Data Center GC experience.
• Each project has specific characteristics regarding size, complexity, sector, etc., which dictate the precise years of experience and industry knowledge necessary for success, above and beyond generic construction knowledge and experience.
• Applicable area licenses.
• The ability to constantly multi‑task and handle competing priorities between Suffolk business needs, organizational issues, and sound customer relations.
• Business judgment to negotiate the critical balance between budget and construction processes.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage the many details necessary for successful construction.
• Judgment to know when to appropriately elevate issues up the chain of command.
• A strong sense of urgency and initiative, and the ability to quickly study complex issues.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to confidently and decisively take action.
• Excellent diplomatic and communication skills, able to interact effectively with senior management, and the ability to handle and resolve conflict effectively in a firm but fair manner.
• Demonstrated experience communicating broad strategic initiatives to both key stakeholders and diverse internal teams.
• Candidate must possess Suffolk's Core Values: Passion, Integrity, Hard Work, Professionalism, and Caring.

Benefits

Competitive salaries, auto allowances and gas cards for certain roles, access to market‑leading medical and mental health benefits, dental, and vision insurance plans, virtual care options for physical therapy and primary care, generous paid time off, 401(k) plan with employer match and access to expert financial resources, company‑paid and voluntary life insurance, tax‑deferred savings accounts, 10 backup daycare days each year, short‑ and long‑term disability, commuter benefits, and more.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine‑motor, hand, and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level, and will perform some job‑site walking.

EEO Statement

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.