Director of Field Operations

inherent L3C•Chicago, IL

3d•$115,000 - $145,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Field Operations leads field execution, site operations, and installation activities for a growing modular construction business. Based in the Chicago, Illinois area, the role oversees modular projects from factory completion and transportation through site preparation, module setting, installation, commissioning, and project turnover across the Chicago metropolitan area and other designated markets. The Director builds and leads field teams, coordinates internal departments and external trade partners, and ensures projects meet schedule, budget, safety, and quality expectations. The position requires strategic operational leadership and hands-on construction experience, including knowledge of modular construction, the integration of off-site manufacturing with on-site construction, crane and rigging operations, logistics planning, and multi-trade sequencing. The role manages staffing, schedules, resources, field costs, subcontractors, safety, quality control, compliance, and project closeout across multiple projects. It develops standardized procedures, performance measures, and installation methods; resolves field issues; supports operational growth; and helps recruit and develop field leaders. Regular travel to jobsites, manufacturing and staging facilities, and project meetings is required. Occasional early mornings, extended hours, and schedule adjustments may be necessary for critical lifts, installations, and project milestones. Base salary is estimated at $115,000–$145,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage, 401(k) plan participation, paid holidays, PTO, and sick leave.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressive experience in construction operations, field management, project execution, or a related discipline.
At least 5 years of leadership experience managing construction superintendents, field teams, subcontractors, or multiple active jobsites.
Demonstrated experience delivering complex commercial, multifamily, institutional, industrial, or other large-scale construction projects.
Proven ability to manage project schedules, labor resources, subcontractors, safety, quality, and field budgets.
Strong understanding of construction sequencing, site logistics, structural systems, building envelopes, and MEP coordination.
Experience working with general contractors, specialty trades, equipment providers, and project management teams.
Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, schedules, scopes of work, and installation plans.
Strong communication, leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Willingness to travel regularly to active jobsites and manufacturing or staging facilities as required.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the Chicagoland area and other assigned markets.
Comfort working in active construction environments and responding to time-sensitive operational issues.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience in modular construction, volumetric modular building, prefabricated building systems, or off-site construction.
Experience coordinating factory-to-site logistics, module transportation, crane picks, rigging, and multi-module installation sequences.
Experience with commercial modular buildings, multifamily housing, hospitality, healthcare, education, or other repeatable building programs.
Familiarity with Procore, Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or equivalent construction scheduling and project management platforms.
Knowledge of Chicago-area permitting, inspections, union labor environments, and local construction practices.
Experience scaling field operations across multiple projects, regions, or installation teams.
A degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field; equivalent practical experience is also accepted.

Responsibilities

Direct field operations across active modular construction projects in the Chicago metropolitan area and other designated markets.
Establish field standards, procedures, best practices, reporting structures, performance expectations, and escalation procedures.
Develop and manage field staffing plans, and lead, coach, and hold field personnel accountable.
Conduct site visits to evaluate progress, address operational challenges, and ensure compliance with company standards.
Oversee delivery, staging, lifting, setting, fastening, weatherproofing, and integration of modular building components.
Coordinate crane operations, rigging plans, delivery sequencing, site access, laydown areas, and installation logistics.
Verify field readiness before modules leave the manufacturing facility, including foundations, embeds, utilities, access, permits, and installation prerequisites.
Coordinate the transition from factory production to transportation and on-site installation to minimize delays, damage, rework, and unnecessary handling.
Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, project management, design, and procurement teams to resolve constructability issues and field conflicts.
Oversee integration of modular units with foundations, structural systems, building envelopes, MEP systems, and interior and exterior finishes.
Manage project execution from module placement through installation, testing, commissioning, and owner acceptance.
Develop and monitor field execution schedules and align labor, subcontractors, equipment, transportation, and material deliveries with project milestones.
Identify schedule risks, implement recovery plans, and manage field resources across multiple simultaneous projects.
Establish regular project reporting and performance reviews for productivity, installation rates, schedule adherence, and outstanding work.
Anticipate seasonal and weather-related construction challenges in Chicago and the Midwest.
Promote jobsite safety, ensure compliance with OSHA requirements, local building codes, project specifications, and company policies, and coordinate inspections, toolbox talks, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
Establish and enforce quality-control procedures for installation, structural connections, waterproofing, firestopping, MEP connections, and finish work.
Ensure deficiencies, punch-list items, and nonconformance issues are documented, assigned, and resolved; support inspections, testing, commissioning, and completion documentation.
Manage field labor costs, subcontractor performance, equipment utilization, site logistics expenses, and other field expenditures; monitor productivity and costs against project budgets.
Identify opportunities to reduce rework and downtime, improve installation efficiency and labor productivity, and provide forecasts of labor, equipment, schedule impacts, and potential cost overruns.
Review subcontractor scopes, field work plans, change requests, and cost impacts with project management and commercial teams.
Develop standardized installation methods to improve consistency, reduce costs, and support growth.
Build relationships with general contractors, site contractors, crane companies, transportation providers, specialty trades, and installation partners.
Set partner expectations for scope, schedule, safety, quality, communication, and performance; participate in subcontractor selection, prequalification, onboarding, and evaluations.
Resolve field-level conflicts and coordinate corrective actions before they affect milestones or customer relationships; support development of a regional subcontractor and installation network.
Develop field operations playbooks, installation procedures, checklists, reporting tools, and key performance indicators.
Capture project lessons learned, evaluate construction technologies, equipment, and installation methods, and apply improvements to future work.
Partner with executive leadership to forecast operational capacity, support business development, and prepare the organization for growth.
Help recruit, develop, and retain field leaders.