Director of Operations (Water/Wastewater) - Alberici Constructors Inc.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri with more than 1,200 employees and nearing $2B in revenue, Alberici is a diversified construction company that partners with leading organizations throughout North America to build their most challenging and important projects.

Since our founding in 1918, Alberici earned a reputation for executing with quality, safety and trust. Combined with our 100+ years of experience, we provide construction solutions to the automotive, commercial, civil, energy, food & beverage, healthcare, heavy industrial, industrial process, and water industries.

We build the critical structures that improve lives and strengthen communities.

Our mission is simple — and our approach to delivering on it is equally straightforward. We are as open and honest with our employees and partners as we are with our clients. We are here to work together to do the best work possible to bring this mission to life.

When it comes to our team, Alberici employees are built differently. We seek the best and brightest and are committed to investing in our people and providing the training and resources they need to learn, grow, and advance.

Are you Built for the Challenge?

Position Overview:

The Director of Operations has business-unit responsibilities and is accountable for all or a portion of the business unit's projects being managed and constructed in a fashion consistent with the Company values, policies and procedures. This role works closely with the Project Managers to ensure project teams, subcontractors and suppliers perform as contracted and assist in the responsibility of tracking the financial performance of the projects, and is accountable for the satisfaction of safety, clients and the financial performance of business unit. This person is also responsible for consistently implementing management systems and practices across assigned projects and contributing to business development and the Company’s capability to compete in the marketplace.

Safe, Effective, and Efficient Operation of the Project

Managing Safety

• Understands, practices and enforces the Company safety policy and procedures. Models and reinforces safety as the top priority on the project site. 
• Understands, practices and enforces the Company substance abuse program.
• Proactively motivates project staff to advocate project safety. Works to visibly create safe operations as a top priority at the project level.  Visible as leader in safety in field.
• Ensures Project Directors/Project Managers on assigned projects run a safe project.
• Develops and approves safety incentive programs for projects as appropriate.
• Understands how safety issues are managed on a project.
• Takes appropriate action (including disciplinary action) when adequate safety measures have not been taken

Project Planning

• Based upon the characteristics of the project, identifies potential effective project staff members and makes recommendation to the Vice President about the staffing of projects.
• Ensures assigned projects consistently follow the management and construction systems established by the Company.
• Develops the construction strategy for projects in conjunction with the Project Director or Project Manager and Estimator who performed the site assessment.
• Understands the client’s requirements and expectations and incorporates them in the Project Value Plan.
• Ensures a project schedule is developed and maintained.

Project Start-up

• Ensures the buyout of the project occurs.
• Ensures the implementation of purchase orders according to established terms and conditions.
• Ensures the contracts with the subcontractors are developed and executed in a timely fashion.
• Ensures assigned projects are managed consistent with the Company values, policies and procedures.

Managing Quality

• Ensures projects comply with environmental, safety and other regulatory requirements. Knows how issues are managed.
• Ensures projects comply with the Company Quality Management procedures.

Managing Productivity

• Monitors the management and progress of projects. Intervenes, as necessary, to ensure projects meet the clients’ needs and to keep projects on time and within budget.
• Reviews equipment utilized on projects to ensure the effective use of resources.
• Provides direction and support during significant occurrences on projects (e.g., significant accident, labor strife, disagreement with a subcontractor, etc.).
• As required, assists the Project Director or Project Manager in resolving jurisdictional issues among crafts consistent with labor relation’s policy. Keeps appropriate senior management informed.
• Provides advice and support to the Project Director or Project Manager throughout a project, in essence, “filling any gap” between what is required to manage the project successfully and the capability of the Project Director or Project Manager.

Coordinate Support Functions

• Ensures a smooth working relationship between the field site and support functions and ensures they obtain what they need from each other.

Other Roles

• On special projects, serves in a Project Director, Project Manager or other role and achieves the results expected of that role.

Business Development and Client Satisfaction with the Construction Project and Process

Relating with the Client

• Establishes relationships with prospective clients in assigned market(s).
• Establishes and maintains a positive working relationship with the client and the client’s agent.
• Keeps the President informed about the status of the relationship with the client, the client’s experience of working with the Company and upcoming work the client may have.

Scanning

• Develops prospects and future business opportunities for the organization.
• Effectively represents the Company to external groups.
• Stays attuned to the marketplace and upcoming work. Develops leads about upcoming work.
• As directed by the President, calls on prospects, coordinating efforts with Business Development.

New Business Acquisition

• Reviews construction strategy and approach with Estimating and Business Development personnel during the bidding and proposal process.
• Recommends the selection of subcontractors to the President if subcontractors are close in price.
• Provides input to the Vice President about fees and pricing of a proposal or follows President’s procedures.
• Fully understands the contractual commitments to the client, and ensures they are fulfilled. Uses Contract Risk Management to understand risks associated with a contract.
• Assists in negotiating work with prospective clients, including recommending the type of contract if one is not specified.

Understanding Market

• Fully understands the market and develops strategy for the business unit.
• Monitors the client’s level of satisfaction with the performance of the Company and the experience of working with the Company.
• Calls on and stays accessible to the client and the client’s agents. Involves the Project Director or Project Manager as appropriate.
• Monitors and manages client relationships in the market.
• Advises and supports the Project Director or Project Manager on satisfying the client.

Incorporating Change

• Provides input on how to handle change orders with the client. Ensures change orders are implemented.

Managing Claims

• Explores potential claims arising from a project. Makes recommendations to the President about handling the situation.  Implements course of action developed with the Vice President.

Effective Relationship with Subcontractors and Suppliers

Managing Subcontractor Relationships

• Develops and maintains a positive and trusting working relationship with key subcontractors on assigned projects. Ensures subcontractors are treated in a fashion whereby they find the Company to be the contractor of choice.
• Advises and counsels the Project Director or Project Manager on subcontractor relationships and issues.
• Intervenes as necessary to keep the project on track and to keep the Company and subcontractor relationships constructive.
• Develops and maintains a positive working relationship with key suppliers.
• Looks for and informs Senior Estimators of potential new subcontractors.

Managing Service Delivery

• Intervenes, as necessary, to ensure materials needed to keep the project on track are obtained.
• At the conclusion of the project, ensures that the Project Director or Project Manager evaluates the performance of subcontractors.

Managing Supplier Relationships

• Develops and maintains effective relationship with suppliers.
• Fulfills MBE requirements.

Managing Supplier Performance

• Monitors the overall performance of suppliers.
• Intervenes when necessary to obtain required supplier performance.

Effective Management and Development of Employees

Defining Roles & Responsibilities

• Leads and supports efforts to keep the matrix organizational structure clearly defined and effective.
• Informs functional personnel in a matrix relationship of project needs from that function. As requested, plans the response to needs with a matrix manager and/or his/her manager.
• Establishes clear expectations of performance for each Project Director and Project Manager on each project.

Staffing

• With the Vice President, discusses the breadth and depth of talent in the business unit compared to that required to achieve the strategic plan. Plans and implements action to address potential gaps.

Leading/Managing

• Develops a positive and trusting working relationship with employees. Ensures the development of a positive and trusting working relationship between employees and the project management team.
• Keeps the project team apprised of developments at the Company. Ensures they feel connected to and valued by the Company.

Evaluating & Developing

• Develops a skilled and motivated work force committed to a future with the Company. Recommends potential candidates for employment to the Vice President.
• Develops an innovative, results-oriented culture that is aligned with the values of the Company.
• On an ongoing basis, provides feedback to the Project Director or Project Manager on the extent to which expectations are being met. Coaches and develops the Project Director or Project Manager as needed for the project and project team to be successful.
• Conducts reviews with direct reports. Invites the President to participate in evaluations.
• With the Project Director or Project Manager, identifies personnel with potential to assume more responsibility. Ensures personnel with higher potential receive challenging assignments and high levels of feedback and coaching.  Actively develops the capabilities of employees.
• Participates in the development of effective management systems for the Company.

Recognizing & Rewarding

• Provides input to the President about compensation changes and bonus amounts for direct reports.
• Provide input to the President about exemplary service and performance of direct reports.

Effective Financial Management of Projects

Managing Profitability

• Ensures projects are planned, scheduled and managed (including billing and collections) closely in order to achieve favorable financial results.
• At the beginning of a project, plans the effective financial management of the project with the Project Director or Project Manager.
• Understands financial and management reporting systems.
• Monitors the financial status of assigned projects by reviewing management reports through discussions with the Project Director or Project Manager and inspections of the project site. Coaches the Project Director or Project Manager, as needed, to obtain positive financial performance.
• Ensures risks on the project are anticipated and actively managed. This includes safety, insurance, security, compliance with regulatory requirements, etc.
• Approves and keeps the President apprised of expense reports charged to assigned project(s).

Financial Responsibility

• Reviews cost trends by project with the Project Directors, at least monthly.
• Verifies each project’s pricing practices weekly.
• Reviews risk management overview weekly
• Reviews Schedule of Project Income with business unit Financial Directors quarterly.

Billing Clients

• Monitors the payment of receivables from clients on assigned projects. As required, discusses the collection of receivables with clients.  Promptly informs the Vice President of concerns about the client’s ability to pay.
• Monitors the relationship between construction progress and amount of contract billed.

Participation in the Effective Representation of the Company

Relating Externally

• As assigned, effectively represents the Company to external groups and the public.
• Participates in industry organizations.
• Participates in civic, community and public relations efforts.

 Management Responsibilities

Manages and directs Project Directors and Project Managers.  The Director of Operations carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.) from a four-year college or university AND ten (10) years of experience in managing the construction of of water and/or wastewater treatment facilities.
• Previous experience on design-build projects.
• Joint-venture exposure and operating in both union and open-shop environments is preferred.
• Travel expectation up to 20%.

Alberici is a North American company with multiple Operating Companies:

Alberici Constructors, Inc., Alberici Constructors, LTD., Alberici Construcciones, BRC, CAS Constructors, Filanc, Flintco, Hillsdale Fabricators, Kienlen Constructors, and WWPS

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)