Department: Building Science
Lerch Bates is seeking a Director of Operations – Building Science to lead one of the industry's premier Building Science consulting organizations. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on technical consulting, making it ideal for an experienced engineering or architectural professional who enjoys developing people, improving operations, and remaining actively involved in client projects.
As Director of Operations, you will lead operational performance across multiple offices while spending approximately 50% of your time performing billable consulting work, including building investigations, site assessments, technical reviews, field observations, testing oversight, and client consulting. The remaining time will focus on operational leadership, team development, business planning, and driving organizational growth.
Success in this role is measured not only by financial performance, but also by the strength of the team, consistency of project delivery, client satisfaction, technical excellence, innovation, and the ability to scale best practices across the organization.
Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we’ve partnered on some of the world’s most complex and high-profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.
Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.
We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP, which fosters an ownership mindset and accountability in everything we do. At Lerch Bates, your expertise matters, your voice carries weight, and your work directly contributes to our shared success as OneLB.
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make.
Technical Consulting & Project Delivery
Perform building science consulting services, including building investigations, condition assessments, field observations, testing oversight, technical evaluations, and client consulting
Lead or support complex building enclosure, restoration, rehabilitation, forensic, and existing building projects
Serve as a trusted technical advisor for owners, architects, contractors, attorneys, property managers, and project teams
Review technical reports, repair recommendations, construction documents, and project deliverables to ensure quality and consistency
Participate in site visits, client meetings, and construction observations while maintaining individual billable utilization goals
Lead operational performance across multiple offices, including utilization, backlog, staffing, forecasting, invoicing, accounts receivable, profitability, and project execution
Optimize resource planning and workload balancing across teams and geographic regions
Monitor operational metrics and implement improvements that increase efficiency, consistency, and client satisfaction
Drive continuous improvement through standardized processes, technology, automation, and operational best practices
Ensure projects are delivered safely, profitably, on schedule, and in accordance with company quality standards
Team Development & Leadership
Develop consultants into trusted technical advisors, project managers, and future business leaders
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement
Mentor project managers, consultants, and senior technical staff through coaching, project reviews, and career development planning
Identify future leaders and support succession planning initiatives
Encourage collaboration and resource sharing across offices and service lines
Champion consistent technical standards across the organization
Drive adoption of standardized specifications, technical details, QA/QC procedures, and project delivery tools
Promote knowledge sharing and continuous technical development across offices and disciplines
Support innovation in building science, restoration, rehabilitation, forensic investigations, and consulting services
Business Growth & Strategic Leadership
Partner with Market Development to identify strategic opportunities, pursue new business, and strengthen key client relationships
Support seller-doers in expanding existing client accounts and introducing additional Lerch Bates services
Participate in annual business planning, including revenue, profitability, utilization, backlog, staffing, and growth objectives
Analyze business performance using operational metrics and implement strategies that improve financial performance and client experience
Support mergers, acquisitions, organizational initiatives, and company-wide strategic priorities as needed
Represent the Building Science practice in national initiatives and cross-functional leadership activities
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Architectural Engineering, or a related discipline
Minimum of 8 years of experience in engineering, architecture, construction management, building science, restoration, rehabilitation, forensics, or related consulting fields
Minimum of 2 years of leadership experience with responsibility for staff management, business operations, financial performance, strategic planning, and business development
Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (AIA) license preferred
Strong understanding of building science principles, building enclosure systems, structural systems, and the design and construction process
Demonstrated experience managing complex consulting projects while maintaining strong client relationships
Proven ability to mentor technical professionals and build high-performing teams
Strong financial acumen with experience managing utilization, project budgets, forecasting, backlog, profitability, and operational performance
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with clients, executives, and technical teams
Ability to read, interpret, and review construction drawings, specifications, and technical documents
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced consulting environment
Commitment to quality, technical excellence, and continuous improvement
Why Work with Lerch Bates?
Competitive compensation
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually)
9 paid holidays
401(k) with employer match
Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
Paid parental leave
Professional development and tuition reimbursement
Performance-based incentives and bonuses
Employee assistance and wellness programs
Be more than just an employee…
Lerch Bates is 100% employee-owned! Our employee-owners bring a distinct “we own what we do” brand of technical consulting to every project and partnership. When you work with us, you join a company with an ownership mindset. Expect responsibility, service, and performance in everything we do. So, what does that mean for you? After a certain service time, you are eligible for stock ownership, which essentially works as an additional wealth accumulation and/or retirement account!
Ownership • Community • Integrity • Respect • Optimism
This role involves both physical and mental demands and may be performed in various settings, including offices, construction sites, and confined spaces like elevator pits. Tasks often require frequent movement in multiple directions. Lerch Bates will provide reasonable accommodations upon request through Human Resources.
This role requires regular sitting, talking, and hearing in meetings and by phone. Employees must navigate tight spaces, climb ladders, move around construction sites, take measurements, and travel by car, air, or rail. Duties may involve working at heights and in confined spaces, using hands for tasks like typing and operating elevator components, and applying up to 30 lbs. of force. Close visual attention is also required.
This position requires strong written and verbal communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Employees must interpret complex information, apply mathematical and logical reasoning, quickly learn new skills, and manage detailed, multitask workloads under shifting deadlines. Regular interaction with executives, colleagues, clients, and external stakeholders is also expected.
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
