Director of Construction (COO opportunity then President)

Job Description

Director of Operations- Chief Operating Officer to President of Construction (Pathway Role)

Location : Murrieta, CA

Company Size : $130M General Contractor

Project Focus : Public Works and Commercial Construction

About the Company

Retained by a growing small-to-medium sized General Contractor delivering $50M–$80M annually across a diverse portfolio of public works and commercial projects . Our team is passionate about providing high-quality construction while building lasting relationships with clients, subcontractors, and the communities we serve. As we continue to expand, we are seeking a proven leader to oversee all construction operations and play a pivotal role in shaping our company’s future.

Position Overview

Looking for a Chief Operating Officer / Vice President of Construction to manage all project operations and drive performance across the organization. This executive-level role will oversee 3–4 Project Executives, ensure accountability across every project, and partner directly with ownership on strategy, growth, and execution.

The right candidate will thrive in a hard-bid, public works environment , be excited about pursuing larger projects , and bring a workaholic, ownership-driven mentality to scaling our firm.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all construction operations, including project management, estimating, field operations, and compliance.
• Directly manage and mentor 3–4 Project Executives with full responsibility for the performance of all projects.
• Drive operational excellence by ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Implement systems, reporting, and accountability processes to align office, field, and executive leadership.
• Lead efforts in public works compliance, contract negotiations, and risk management.
• Partner with ownership to develop long-term growth strategies, financial performance goals, and scalable processes.
• Champion a culture of excellence, integrity, and hard work — modeling a 7 : 30am–5 : 30pm leadership presence.
• Position the company for continued growth into larger, more complex public and commercial projects.

Qualifications

Career Path and Ownership Opportunity

This is a career-defining role with a clear path to Vice President of Construction or COO , with potential for ownership consideration as the company continues its growth trajectory.