Director, Project Operations

OBJECTIVES:

The Director, Project Operations (Fire Protection) provides strategic leadership for a large and fast‑growing fire protection project business, including fire sprinkler, fire alarm, suppression, and special hazards system installations. This role ensures strong financial performance, consistent project execution, and scalable growth across multiple branches.  This position partners closely with finance, local branch leadership, and regional Impact Fire leadership to support forecasting accuracy, margin improvement, and operational process discipline. The Director also plays a key role in supporting Impact Fire’s merger and acquisition strategy, performing operational reviews, job walks, and project evaluations for prospective acquisitions.  The Director serves as the enterprise leader for project performance, partnering with District Managers and Regional Vice Presidents to improve profitability, forecasting accuracy, execution consistency, project governance, and operational scalability across all project operations

NATURE OF POSITION:

This role oversees multi‑branch protection project operations with an emphasis on NFPA‑compliant installations, accurate planning, and effective field execution. The Director also supports the evaluation of acquisition targets, reviewing operational structure, project backlog, field practices, and technical capabilities.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide multi‑location oversight for fire protection project operations, ensuring alignment with corporate and regional goals.
• Implement standardized processes for estimating, design, installation, commissioning, and closeout across all branches.
• Collaborate with regional and local leadership to ensure project capacity supports pipeline and backlog growth.

Financial Management & Forecasting

• Partner with operations on P&L oversight for project operations, including revenue, gross margin, labor productivity, and cashflow.
• Partner with finance on budgeting, WIP reviews, cost‑to‑complete accuracy, and financial forecasting.
• Strengthen cost controls, change order processes, field productivity metrics, and material management strategies. 

Project Execution & Technical Oversight

• Ensure all fire protection projects meet NFPA code requirements and comply with Authority Having Jurisdiction expectations.
• Provide hands-on guidance to resolve complex project challenges, including engineering coordination, fabrication logistics, and field execution.
• Establish quality control checkpoints at project kickoff, mid‑project, and closeout.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key operational link between project teams, finance partners, branch leaders, and regional Impact Fire leadership.
• Support integration and alignment efforts for newly acquired companies.
• Partner with design and engineering teams to improve submittal processes, permitting workflows, and system installation planning.

Team Development & Leadership

• Develop and mentor project managers, estimators, coordinators, and design staff across multiple branches.
• Support branch leaders in recruiting and evaluating project‑related talent.
• Promote a culture of accountability, safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Growth & Market Expansion

• Support organic growth by improving project execution, enhancing estimating effectiveness, and expanding operational capabilities.
• Lead scalability planning for new geographic territories or service line expansions.

Safety & Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture across all project and field operations.
• Ensure project teams meet all OSHA requirements and comply with NFPA standards and Authority Having Jurisdiction mandates.
• Partner with safety leadership to improve training, audits, and jobsite practices.

M&A Support Responsibilities

• The Director will support Impact Fire’s acquisition strategy through technical and operational assessments of prospective businesses:
• Conduct job walks at potential acquisition targets to evaluate installation quality, project management discipline, safety practices, and field execution standards.
• Review active and upcoming project backlog, identifying risks related to scheduling, labor planning, or margin exposure.
• Assess estimating accuracy, engineering workflow, material procurement processes, and overall operational maturity.
• Participate in due diligence sessions to analyze technical readiness, NFPA compliance, and alignment with Authority Having Jurisdiction requirements.
• Develop written recommendations for senior leadership outlining strengths, risks, and integration needs.
• Assist with operational onboarding and process alignment for newly acquired project businesses.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• 10+ years of experience in fire protection, life safety, mechanical contracting, or construction project management.
• 5+ years leading multi‑location project operations in the fire protection industry.
• Strong knowledge of NFPA codes, Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements, and fire protection system installation standards.
• Proven experience managing project P&Ls, forecasting, WIP reviews, and job costing.
• Experience supporting or participating in M&A operational due diligence is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, fire protection, construction management, or related discipline preferred.
• Strong communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to travel regularly for branch visits, project reviews, and acquisition evaluations.