Director of Self-Perform Operations

About the role

Location: Grand Rapids, MI. Classification: Full-Time. Owen-Ames‑Kimball is launching a self‑perform carpentry and general trades division based in West Michigan. The Director of Self‑Perform Operations will build and lead this division from the ground up, owning its growth, performance, and profitability while establishing people, processes, and operational standards. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the role partners with Preconstruction, Operations, and Field Leadership to identify opportunities, secure work, and deliver results.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the self‑perform division, including strategic planning, staffing, operations, and financial performance.
• Own and manage the division P&L, annual budgets, revenue goals, and profitability targets.
• Recruit, hire, develop, and mentor key team members, including superintendents, project managers/estimators, foremen, and craft professionals.
• Schedule and deploy crews across multiple active jobsites to maximize productivity and maintain targeted labor utilization.
• Establish and enforce standards for safety, quality, productivity, and jobsite housekeeping.
• Monitor division performance and provide regular updates to executive leadership on revenue, labor productivity, utilization, backlog, and safety metrics.
• Partner with the Preconstruction team to identify self‑perform opportunities, develop scopes of work, and review pricing strategies prior to submission.
• Lead procurement efforts and support transparent project delivery practices that build trust with owners and project stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Safety, Human Resources, Accounting, and Equipment teams to ensure the division has the resources and support needed to succeed.
• Represent O‑A‑K in client meetings, project interviews, and interactions with trade partners and industry stakeholders.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in commercial construction field operations.
• 5+ years of experience leading a self‑perform division, specialty trade contractor, carpentry contractor, or similar construction business unit with P&L responsibility.
• Proven success building, managing, and scheduling multiple crews across concurrent construction projects.
• Strong understanding of labor tracking, workforce planning, productivity management, and job cost reporting.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to recruit, develop, and retain high‑performing teams.
• Experience delivering projects in K‑12, higher education, healthcare, or similarly complex occupied environments.
• Knowledge of ICRA requirements, occupied‑building construction practices, and client‑facing project delivery.
• Familiarity with prevailing wage requirements and certified payroll administration on public‑sector projects.
• OSHA 30 certification required; OSHA 500 certification preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or a related field preferred; equivalent field leadership experience will be considered.

Skills

• Results‑driven, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build processes, scale operations, and drive profitable growth.

Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, including but not limited to salary, 401(k) profit sharing, paid time off, health insurance. You’ll work with a close‑knit, supportive team in a low‑turnover culture where people genuinely enjoy what they do. Our size and values mean your contributions are recognized, your work makes a real impact in the communities we serve, and no two days are the same thanks to a variety of engaging, cross‑departmental tasks. Founded in Grand Rapids in 1891, O‑A‑K is a stable, respected company delivering construction projects annually across Michigan, Colorado, and Florida.