Operations Manager

Crux Subsurface, Inc. • Spokane Valley, WA

1d • $185,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Manager is a senior field execution role responsible for driving daily productivity, crew deployment, and operational discipline across Crux Subsurface's active project portfolio. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Field Operations, this position owns the day-to-day rhythm of the field — ensuring Construction Managers and Superintendents have the resources, direction, and accountability structures they need to hit production targets safely and on budget. This is a hands-on leadership role. Crux operates in demanding, technical environments — drilled shafts, micropiles, ground anchors, soil nailing, and helicopter-supported operations across transmission and energy corridors in the US and Canada. The Operations Manager must be comfortable in the field, credible with craft workers and foremen, and capable of translating project plans into executable daily work without constant VP oversight. The right candidate brings deep construction operations experience, a bias for execution over analysis, and the personal credibility to lead from the front while building the systems that allow the field to run without bottlenecks.

Requirements

• 15+ years in specialty geotechnical or heavy civil construction, including 5+ years as a Construction Manager or Superintendent
• Demonstrated success managing field crews across multiple simultaneous project sites in complex terrain or remote conditions
• Deep technical knowledge across Crux core scopes: micropile, drilled shaft, compaction grouting, geotech exploration
• Proven track record building and developing field leadership — coaching CMs, Superintendents, and Foremen
• Strong command of field production metrics, equipment utilization, and schedule management
• Experience working within a structured project management and field operations model where PM and field execution accountability are clearly separated
• Prior exposure to union workforce management and prevailing wage environments preferred
• OSHA 30-hour construction certification required; competent person in multiple hazard categories
• Experience with Quanta Services operating model and Capacity Model Human Performance framework preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering or Construction Management preferred; equivalent field experience considered

Nice To Haves

• Prior exposure to union workforce management and prevailing wage environments
• Experience with Quanta Services operating model and Capacity Model Human Performance framework
• Bachelor's degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering or Construction Management preferred; equivalent field experience considered

Responsibilities

• Serve as the VP Field Operations' primary operational arm in the field — ensure Construction Managers and Superintendents are executing against approved work plans, resource assignments, and productivity targets
• Conduct regular site visits across the active project portfolio; identify execution gaps, resource constraints, and safety conditions requiring intervention before they escalate
• Own the look-ahead planning cycle at the field execution level — confirm crew readiness, equipment availability, and material delivery alignment for the upcoming two-week window
• Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks — whether crew, equipment, access, or logistics — without routing every issue through the VP
• Support Construction Managers on complex or high-risk work sequences, providing on-the-ground judgment on sequencing, temporary works, and crew deployment decisions
• Coordinate craft labor allocation across projects in partnership with VP Field Operations and Construction Managers — ensure crews are deployed to the highest-priority, highest-impact work
• Maintain field staffing visibility across all active jobs; flag shortfalls or surpluses early and support workforce planning decisions with ground-level intelligence
• Support union hall coordination and craft hiring where applicable, working with HR and Operations leadership to meet project demand without compromising Crux labor standards
• Participate in mobilization planning for new project starts — ensure field readiness checklists, crew assignments, and equipment staging are completed before first production day
• Reinforce Crux safety culture in the field through consistent presence, direct coaching, and visible accountability under The Capacity Model Human Performance framework
• Confirm STKY controls are being applied, pre-task plans are meaningful, and crews are not normalizing deviations on short moves and routine tasks — the highest-risk failure pattern at Crux
• Coordinate with the Safety Director and Construction Managers on corrective action implementation following incidents or observations; ensure field corrections translate into durable behavior change, not paperwork compliance
• Support quality control oversight in partnership with the Engineering Director and Quality function, confirming field execution meets Crux technical standards
• Serve as the field-level coordination point for Fleet — confirm equipment assignments match field needs, flag maintenance issues early, and ensure equipment downtime is managed proactively
• Coordinate with Supply Chain on material delivery timing, site storage logistics, and procurement escalations that are affecting field productivity
• Identify equipment utilization gaps and make recommendations to the VP Field Operations on redeployment or fleet planning decisions
• Provide the VP Field Operations with clear, timely field intelligence — production performance, crew status, safety observations, equipment conditions, and escalating risks; no surprises
• Participate in the VP Bi-Weekly Operations Meeting and other portfolio review cadences with current, accurate field data — come prepared with status, not just updates
• Support HeavyJob cost and production entry discipline in the field; Construction Managers and Superintendents should be entering accurate daily data — Operations Manager reinforces this standard
• Contribute to field-level lessons learned and corrective action documentation that improves Crux execution standards over time
• Mentors Construction Managers and Superintendents on field problem-solving, crew management, and client interaction
• Provides structured performance feedback to field leadership; partners with HR on performance improvement when needed
• Champions a culture of stop-work authority, STKY awareness, and Direct Controls across all field teams
• Identifies and grooms next-generation field leaders from the Superintendent and Foreman ranks
• Nominates high-potential field personnel for the CORE Leadership Program and stretch assignments

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Coverage, HSA/FSA, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Basic Life Insurance, EAP, Voluntary Benefits, and Identity Theft Protection. Benefits are offered with a shared premium cost between employer and employee.
• 401k and Roth contribution with company match eligibility.
• Vacation and Sick Leave accrue in accordance with company policies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior