Vice President of Field Operations

Wharton Smith•Sanford, FL

19d

About The Position

Wharton-Smith, Inc. is seeking a Vice President of Field Operations willing to work in Central Florida. The position provides executive leadership and strategic oversight for field operations across the Company’s Operating Business Units. It supports General Superintendents and partners with Vice Presidents, Directors, and Operations leadership on field staffing, workforce planning, and manpower allocation across projects and regions. The role is responsible for safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of self-performed and subcontracted work from preconstruction through project completion. It maintains visibility into project accounting, cost projections, Project Cost Analyses (PCA), labor performance metrics, and schedule execution. As a member of the executive leadership team, the position advances field excellence, operational consistency, workforce development, and continuous improvement while supporting profitability, client satisfaction, quality, and safety across the Business Units.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered instead of a college degree.
At least 20 years of progressive construction experience, including demonstrated success delivering large-scale construction projects.
At least 10 years of experience as a Project Superintendent, General Superintendent, Director of Operations, or in a comparable construction leadership role.
Experience managing multiple construction projects, field teams, and operations across diverse project types.
Demonstrated ability to oversee General Superintendents and field leadership personnel to support efficient operations and successful outcomes.
Strong knowledge of construction operations, project execution, workforce coordination, and field management practices.
Leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills to develop field leaders and support high-performing construction teams.
Experience coordinating multiple projects, subcontractors, and field personnel while maintaining operational efficiency and accountability.
Strong organizational, strategic planning, decision-making, and problem-solving skills for complex operational challenges.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills and ability to collaborate with executive and Business Unit leadership, General Superintendents, Safety, Human Resources, Preconstruction, and Operations teams.
Ability to coordinate across departments to support project teams, operational objectives, and company-wide initiatives.
Current safety training in trenching and excavation, scaffolding, rigging, confined space, and fall protection.
Current OSHA 30-Hour certification.
Current First Aid and CPR certifications.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and standard computer systems.
Ability to manage competing priorities and provide leadership across multiple projects and geographic locations.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven construction environment.
Availability for a full-time, exempt schedule during standard business hours, with flexibility for extended hours, evenings, and weekends based on project demands and business needs.
Willingness to travel extensively throughout company operating regions, up to 90% depending on project locations and operational needs.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

LEED Accreditation or other sustainability-related credentials.

Responsibilities

Oversee field operations across Business Units to support safe, efficient, high-quality project execution.
Support General Superintendents, Area Superintendents, and Project Superintendents in resolving field issues and meeting project requirements.
Conduct project site visits, audits, and milestone reviews to assess performance, provide guidance, and promote consistency.
Partner with Business Unit leadership to forecast labor, equipment, and project scheduling needs.
Optimize allocation of manpower, tools, and equipment across active projects.
Monitor project accounting, cost projections, Project Cost Analyses (PCA), labor performance metrics, and schedule performance.
Review field cost and productivity data to identify risks, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
Support preconstruction through site logistics reviews, constructability input, schedule planning, and estimate reviews.
Help project teams identify efficient construction means and methods.
Enforce Company safety policies, procedures, and regulatory compliance requirements at job sites.
Promote safety, quality, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Oversee field quality expectations so work meets or exceeds client, design, and industry standards.
Mentor, coach, and develop field leadership teams to support employee growth, advancement, and retention.
Partner with General Superintendents and Operations leadership to maintain a trained, qualified, and productive workforce.
Support succession planning and workforce development for future field leadership positions.
Maintain relationships with clients, architects, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and industry partners.
Participate in critical meetings with clients, design teams, and project stakeholders as needed.
Collaborate with Finance and Business Unit leadership to monitor financial performance, productivity, and margin protection.
Support post-project reviews, capture lessons learned, and drive continuous improvement.
Contribute to annual business planning, operational forecasting, workforce planning, and strategic growth initiatives.
Integrate technology and innovative construction practices to improve field performance, communication, and project delivery.
Support equipment planning, utilization, repairs, and maintenance strategies with internal equipment and operations teams.
Partner with Business Development and Preconstruction teams on project pursuits, client presentations, and operational planning.
Coordinate and facilitate annual superintendent and field leadership meetings across Business Units.