Director of Construction Operations Jobs
Director of Construction Operations jobs are open across commercial, residential, civil, and industrial construction at every level from senior manager to executive, with specializations in project delivery, budget oversight, and subcontractor management. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Seeking an experienced Director of Operations to provide leadership and oversight for multiple shipbuilding programs across U.S. shipyards.
This individual will lead Program Managers and project teams to ensure vessel construction projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in U.S. shipbuilding, with a strong background in program management, shipbuilding contracts, commercial negotiations, and financial oversight.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide operational leadership and oversight for multiple vessel construction programs across domestic shipyards.
- Lead, mentor, and manage Program Managers and cross-functional project teams.
- Oversee project schedules, budgets, quality, contractual compliance, and overall program performance.
- Lead commercial negotiations with shipyards, including contract modifications, change orders, claims, and dispute resolution.
- Manage contractual and financial risks throughout the vessel construction lifecycle.
- Establish consistent program management procedures, reporting standards, and performance metrics across projects.
- Monitor financial performance, including budgets, forecasting, cash flow, cost control, and profitability.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with shipyards, customers, government agencies, suppliers, and other industry stakeholders.
- Represent the company in executive-level meetings, contract negotiations, and program reviews.
- Identify operational challenges and implement solutions to improve project performance.
- Provide regular program updates, risk assessments, and recommendations to executive leadership.
- Support business development efforts, contract proposals, and new project opportunities.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Naval Architecture, Business Administration, Construction Management, or a related field.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in commercial or government shipbuilding.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex vessel construction programs.
- Strong background in shipbuilding contract management, commercial negotiations, and dispute resolution.
- Thorough understanding of shipyard operations, vessel construction processes, and project execution.
- Experience managing budgets, forecasting, cost controls, and financial performance on large-scale projects.
- Proven leadership experience managing Program Managers and multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with senior-level representatives of shipyards, customers, and government organizations.
- Ability to travel regularly to domestic shipyards and customer locations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, and commercial shipbuilding contracts.
- Experience supporting U.S. Government shipbuilding programs, including the U.S. Navy, MARAD, or USCG.
- Familiarity with ABS, USCG, SOLAS, and applicable maritime regulations.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent program management credentials.
Additional Information
This is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing multiple shipbuilding programs and managing a team of Program Managers.
The Director of Operations will report to executive leadership and serve as a key point of contact for shipyard operations, contract execution, commercial negotiations, and overall program performance.
Regular travel to shipyards and customer locations throughout the United States is required.
Pay: $150,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
Seeking an experienced Director of Operations to provide leadership and oversight for multiple shipbuilding programs across U.S. shipyards.
This individual will lead Program Managers and project teams to ensure vessel construction projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in U.S. shipbuilding, with a strong background in program management, shipbuilding contracts, commercial negotiations, and financial oversight.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide operational leadership and oversight for multiple vessel construction programs across domestic shipyards.
- Lead, mentor, and manage Program Managers and cross-functional project teams.
- Oversee project schedules, budgets, quality, contractual compliance, and overall program performance.
- Lead commercial negotiations with shipyards, including contract modifications, change orders, claims, and dispute resolution.
- Manage contractual and financial risks throughout the vessel construction lifecycle.
- Establish consistent program management procedures, reporting standards, and performance metrics across projects.
- Monitor financial performance, including budgets, forecasting, cash flow, cost control, and profitability.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with shipyards, customers, government agencies, suppliers, and other industry stakeholders.
- Represent the company in executive-level meetings, contract negotiations, and program reviews.
- Identify operational challenges and implement solutions to improve project performance.
- Provide regular program updates, risk assessments, and recommendations to executive leadership.
- Support business development efforts, contract proposals, and new project opportunities.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Naval Architecture, Business Administration, Construction Management, or a related field.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in commercial or government shipbuilding.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex vessel construction programs.
- Strong background in shipbuilding contract management, commercial negotiations, and dispute resolution.
- Thorough understanding of shipyard operations, vessel construction processes, and project execution.
- Experience managing budgets, forecasting, cost controls, and financial performance on large-scale projects.
- Proven leadership experience managing Program Managers and multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with senior-level representatives of shipyards, customers, and government organizations.
- Ability to travel regularly to domestic shipyards and customer locations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, and commercial shipbuilding contracts.
- Experience supporting U.S. Government shipbuilding programs, including the U.S. Navy, MARAD, or USCG.
- Familiarity with ABS, USCG, SOLAS, and applicable maritime regulations.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent program management credentials.
Additional Information
This is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing multiple shipbuilding programs and managing a team of Program Managers.
The Director of Operations will report to executive leadership and serve as a key point of contact for shipyard operations, contract execution, commercial negotiations, and overall program performance.
Regular travel to shipyards and customer locations throughout the United States is required.
Pay: $150,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
See All 27 Director of Construction Operations Jobs
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Find JobsDirector of Construction Operations Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Investment & Asset Management
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of construction operations jobs.
- 10 or more years of progressive construction management experience
- Demonstrated oversight of full project lifecycle from preconstruction through closeout
- Proficiency with construction management software such as Procore or Primavera
- OSHA 30-hour certification or equivalent safety credential
- Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field
- Experience managing subcontractor selection, contracts, and field performance
Tips for Your Director of Construction Operations Job Search
Quantify your project portfolio clearly
Your resume should show project values, square footage, and team sizes you've overseen, not just job titles. Hiring managers for this role compare candidates on the scale of work they've managed, so concrete figures do the work vague language can't.
Highlight multi-site coordination experience
Many director of construction operations postings specifically require managing concurrent projects across multiple sites or regions. Call out how many simultaneous projects you've run and the geographic range, since single-site experience alone rarely meets the bar for this title.
Tailor your application to the build type
A commercial GC and a homebuilder read resumes very differently. Lead with the construction sector that matches each posting, whether that's ground-up commercial, tenant improvement, infrastructure, or multifamily, so your most relevant experience surfaces immediately.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director of construction operations openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for operations case questions
Interviews for this role often include scenario questions about subcontractor disputes, schedule recovery, or budget overruns. Walk interviewers through a specific situation you resolved, the decision you made, and the measurable outcome, rather than describing your general approach.
Negotiate beyond base compensation
Total packages for this level commonly include vehicle allowances, profit-sharing, and project bonuses that aren't always listed upfront. Ask specifically about each component during the offer stage, since these elements can vary widely between general contractors and specialty firms.
Director of Construction Operations Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director of construction operationss?
84 Lumber, Quanta Services, and CBRE are hiring the most director of construction operationss right now, with openings concentrated in Texas, Arizona, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Activity shifts frequently, so checking current listings gives you the most accurate picture of where demand is highest.
How many director of construction operations jobs are remote?
About 18% of director of construction operations openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most construction oversight roles. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote flexibility are preconstruction planning, estimating oversight, and corporate operations roles at large regional or national contractors.
How do you become a director of construction operations?
Most directors of construction operations build up through field roles like superintendent or project manager before moving into multi-project oversight. Earning a degree in construction management or civil engineering strengthens your candidacy, as does obtaining your OSHA 30 certification and gaining experience with scheduling and financial controls. Demonstrating that you've managed diverse project types and led field teams directly is what typically moves candidates into the director level.
Can you get hired as a director of construction operations without direct director-level experience?
Yes, candidates who have managed large or complex projects as a senior project manager or operations manager regularly move into this title without holding it previously. The key is showing that your decision-making scope, team size, and project values already match what the role requires. Gaps in title are easier to overcome when your resume documents direct P&L responsibility, subcontractor management, and cross-functional leadership.
What does the director of construction operations interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a recruiter or HR screen focused on your background and project experience, followed by a panel interview with senior leadership or ownership that includes scenario-based and behavioral questions. Some employers add a site visit, a presentation on how you'd approach a live operational challenge, or a meeting with the field team you'd oversee. Final stages often include reference checks with former owners, project executives, or clients.
Where can I find and apply to director of construction operations jobs?
You can find and apply to director of construction operations jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and sector, then apply directly to each one that fits your background and target market.
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