Director of Project Operations

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Project Operations leads and manages the Assistant Project Management (APM) team, ensuring consistent processes, high performance, and strong collaboration with Project Managers. This role sets the standards for how APMs work, trains and develops the team, resolves workload conflicts, and drives operational excellence across the department.

The Director is a key leader who balances people development with process improvement, creating alignment between APMs and PMs while maintaining authority over performance, priorities, and departmental workflows.

ABOUT US:

SME Steel Contractors has provided comprehensive structural steel fabrication and erection since 1992 and is one of the largest fabricators/erectors of structural steel in the United States. Driven to be different from all others, SME is a division 5 company with a commitment to safety, value, and innovation. Visit https://smesteel.com/ to learn more. SME Steel Contractors is a division of SME Industries, Inc.

Why Join Us?

- Health and Wellness Benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability and Life Insurance.

- Financial Benefits including competitive compensation and 401(k) plan.

- Additional Benefits including Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off, Employee Assistance Program, and more..

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & People Management

- Directly supervise all Assistant Project Managers.

- Lead recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training of new APMs.

- Provide regular performance reviews, coaching, and career development.

- Use tools such as DiSC assessments or similar to improve team communication and self-awareness.

Operational Oversight

- Own the creation, implementation, and enforcement of departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

- Assign APM workloads and re-balance as needed to match project demands.

- Ensure accuracy and completeness of APM deliverables, including RFIs, submittals, and change orders.

- Coordinate and manage adoption of department-specific software tools.

Cross-Team Collaboration

- Maintain strong relationships with Project Managers to ensure APM efforts align with project priorities.

- Act as the primary point of resolution for APM/PM workload conflicts.

- Represent the APM team in leadership discussions and departmental planning meetings.

Reporting & Metrics

- Track and report KPIs, including:

- APM turnover rate

- Onboarding completion time for new hires

- SOP compliance percentage

- Document accuracy rate

- PM satisfaction scores

- Software adoption rates

- Recommend and implement process improvements based on performance data.

QUALIFICATIONS: Must be able to perform each essential duty daily.

- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Business Administration, or related field (preferred).

- 5+ years of experience in project coordination, operations, or assistant project management (construction or related industry preferred). - 2+ years in a leadership role managing people and processes.

- Strong leadership presence with the ability to gain respect and trust from both APMs and PMs.

- Skilled in conflict resolution, training development, and team building.

- Proficient with project management tools (ProjectSight, Vista, Tekla, or similar).

- Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- Ability to sit for extended periods of time while working at a desk or computer, with regular use of hands and fingers for typing, using a computer mouse, and handling documents.

- Occasional lifting and moving files or office supplies, typically up to 20 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

- Primarily works in a standard office environment with minimal exposure to temperature changes.

- Involves interaction with colleagues and occasional participation in meetings, both in-person and virtual.

- When making occasional visits to shops or job sites, use of PPE such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, and steel-toed footwear is required.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- 401(k) matching

- Dental insurance

- Employee assistance program

- Health insurance

- Health savings account

- Paid time off

- Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person