Director of Operations ATE

Director of Operations

Asplundh is seeking a Director of Operations who has the capability and ambition to grow into a senior leadership position within the Asplundh organization.  The successful candidate will join Asplundh's leadership development program, a roughly two-year program focused on immersing an individual into multiple facets of the business to hone their skillsets and understand the Asplundh culture and business.  The successful individual will initially work closely with a Regional Vice President and other leads to learn the fundamentals of the business.  After 12 to 18 months within the field environment, the Director of Operations will either be moved into the field to lead one of Asplundh's businesses (with full P&L responsibility) or the individual will move to corporate for additional leadership development and increased responsibility. The program is highly demanding and requires someone who is adaptable, self-motivated, and quick study.

The successful candidate will be a multi-faceted leader, capable of earning the respect of a large blue-collar workforce, selling the company's service to client senior executives, and helping to strengthen relationships with current customers.  This role requires significant travel, visiting with customers (current and prospective), spending time out in the field, crafting proposals, and leading the successful, safe management of a team of vegetation management specialists. 

This is an excellent opportunity to join an experienced, best-in-class team and be involved in an expanding, entrepreneurial business that offers quick and significant career advancement opportunities.  The successful candidate will benefit from three to four years of mentorship and guidance, and then will "own" a sizable business unit.  This program, and this role, are critical to the future succession plans of the company.

Job Type: Exempt

Pay: Salary 

Benefits:

• Benefits Available and vary per position and location.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Oversee the group responsible for managing utility T&D management activities to the scope and terms, so that the work is completed on budget, on schedule, and to the quality levels specified. This prime responsibility is necessary for the Director to be sure their assigned companies and regional operations are completing their contractual obligations with the customer in the job scope specifications and bid prices/profit margins projected.
• Consult with Asplundh leadership in developing long-term contract strategies for utility T&D maintenance. This involves evaluating the benefits and risks associated with implementing specific contract options to ensure any risks being taken are balanced with the cost/schedule advantages associated with particular contract strategies.  Contracting strategies that will be evaluated range from "time-and-material", "unit-based", and "lump sum" programs.
• Assist in developing annual plans for all assigned companies and/or regional operations including identifying the appropriate permits required for each project, obtaining these permits, and ensuring adherence to the permit requirements. Interface with customers on achieving the required scope and specifications of each job while adhering to Asplundh's policy and procedures.
• Develop performance standards and metrics and ensure contractors develop and regularly supply performance indicators. Use these indicators to develop new work processes or improve existing work processes that lead to improved efficiencies.
• Ensure project status/progress reports are completed and supplied to Asplundh leadership. Use progress reports to identify cost/schedule issues and initiate the development of corrective action plans as needed to keep projects on budget and on schedule.
• Participate in bidding contracts for development of the annual and longer-term budget by providing budgets, cash flows and completion schedules which directly impact the earnings forecast. Responsible for delivering utility T&D management projects on or ahead of schedule.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong business acumen and savvy.
• Proactive, agile, and innovative thought leader consistently delivering results of the highest quality.
• Outstanding written/verbal communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills to cultivate strong relationships with clients at all levels across the organization and geographies.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills – ability to de-construct problems.

Education & Experience

•  Extensive experience (10 + years) in a field-service-based business, with involvement in construction, contract management, engineering, or project management; management/supervisory experience is a plus. 
• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent is preferred.

License & Certifications

• Valid driver's license required.

Pre-Screen

• Upon offer, employees may be required to complete and pass a pre-employment drug screen, background, and/or MVR check.

Since 1928, Asplundh has been dedicated to safe, efficient, and innovative line clearance services for the utility industry. Reliable, uninterrupted power is an important service provided by the world's electrical utilities and Asplundh has the expertise to help keep the power flowing. Over the years, diversification has opened vegetation management services to other specialized markets such as municipalities, railroads, pipelines, helicopter vegetation services, and departments of transportation.

A family-owned and operated corporation headquartered near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Asplundh has grown to employ over 36,000 service professionals throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.