Director of Operations - Facilities Services / Janitorial Industry

Our client is seeking a senior operational leader for their janitorial and maintenance services company. This role is critical to reducing CEO operational dependency, instilling consistent systems and reporting structures, and ensuring financial discipline and service excellence across all operations. The Director of Operations reports directly to the CEO and has operational authority over Area Managers and Field Managers.

Responsibilities

• Operational Execution & Oversight
  • Oversee day-to-day operations across the entire portfolio of client accounts company-wide.
  • Ensure staffing coverage at or above 98% on a weekly basis.
  • Enforce site visit cadence for Area Managers and Field Managers.
  • Conduct periodic unannounced inspections to maintain quality standards.
  • Ensure client escalations are addressed within 24 to 48 hours.
  • Ensure all accounts follow company policies, best practices, and safety procedures.
• Manager Accountability & Leadership Enforcement
  • Lead weekly operational review meetings with Area and Field Managers.
  • Ensure managers submit required R/Y/G status reports on time and with accuracy.
  • Coach, correct, and escalate underperformance through appropriate channels.
  • Establish and manage performance improvement plans where needed.
  • Reinforce clear reporting hierarchy and culture of accountability throughout the team.
• Financial Discipline & Margin Protection
  • Review weekly labor and overtime reports across all operations company-wide.
  • Maintain overtime within agreed thresholds and proactively address variances.
  • Ensure invoices are prepared accurately and submitted in a timely manner.
  • Monitor receivables and escalate payment concerns to the CEO.
  • Ensure all projects and accounts operate within established budget parameters, with close attention to labor efficiency, supply costs, and project-level profitability.
  • Prepare and review company-wide operational budgets; approve expenditures within authorized limits and monitor performance against budget at the project and account level.
• Compliance & Risk Management
  • Ensure timely and accurate LWO/LCP submissions for all applicable accounts.
  • Validate wage classifications and staffing alignment across sites.
  • Maintain audit-ready documentation at all times.
  • Enforce OSHA and site safety compliance at all locations.
  • Complete all required reports including accident, incident, damage, and inspection reports.
• Client Relations, Business Development & Government Contracting
  • Support Area Managers in maintaining strong client relationships and resolving concerns promptly across the full account portfolio.
  • Participate in new account set-up and onboarding oversight as needed.
  • Support and drive bid growth efforts, including reviewing site visit notes, labor and scope estimates, and actively identifying opportunities to expand the company's account base.
  • Generate goodwill through demonstrated commitment to service excellence and a solutions-oriented approach with all clients.
  • Maintain and cultivate strong relationships with government contracting clients, understanding the compliance requirements, reporting standards, and relationship management expectations unique to public sector engagements.
  • Support the pursuit of new government contracts by ensuring operational readiness, compliance documentation, and service delivery standards meet or exceed public sector requirements.
  • Bring a working knowledge of business development principles to support company growth, including identifying new market opportunities, supporting proposal and bid processes, and contributing to the expansion of the client portfolio.
• CEO Dependency Reduction
  • A primary objective of this role is reducing the CEO's operational workload by establishing clear management authority, decision-making processes, and escalation protocols.
  • Success in this area will be measured by decreased CEO involvement in staffing issues and client escalations, and by operational decision-making authority resting with the Director of Operations.
  • The target is a 40% reduction in CEO operational involvement within the first six months.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in business, operations management, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience: Minimum 5-7 years of progressive operations management experience, preferably in facilities services, janitorial, or multi-site service industries.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience managing managers and holding teams accountable across multiple locations.
• Financial Acumen: Experience with labor cost management, project budget oversight, margin protection, invoicing, and company-wide financial reporting.
• Compliance: Familiarity with LWO/LCP requirements, OSHA standards, and labor law compliance preferred.
• Technology: Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with operational reporting or database tools.
• Government Contracting & Business Development: Experience working with government contracting clients preferred; familiarity with public sector compliance, reporting, and relationship management requirements; working knowledge of business development principles and bid/proposal processes.

Skills

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to hold managers and teams accountable consistently.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with acute attention to detail.
• Sound independent judgment and decision-making capability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across multiple client sites simultaneously.
• Self-starter who initiates and follows through on projects without close supervision.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all company and client information.
• Physical ability to conduct site visits, commute between locations, and stand for extended periods; may require lifting up to 50 lbs.

Pay

Base Salary: $100,000 - $110,000 per year