Position Description
The Vice President of Operations is responsible for overseeing all operational departments at Universal Services, ensuring safe, efficient, and profitable execution of work across all divisions. This role drives operational performance, workforce planning, production strategy, and cross-functional alignment while supporting the company’s long-term growth initiatives.
The VP of Operations partners closely with executive leadership, including the CEO and CFO, to align operational execution with financial performance, customer expectations, and strategic objectives. This position provides leadership across multiple departments, including Underground, Aerial, ISP, Splicing, Project Management, Engineering, and Traffic Control support functions.
The Vice President of Operations is accountable for production output, operational efficiency, team development, and maintaining a strong safety culture across all field and support teams.
Benefit Offerings
Universal Services is proud to offer a full benefits package that includes:
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100% Employer Paid Basic Group Life and AD&D Insurance.
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$250 HSA contribution to qualifying plans.
Additional Voluntary Benefits Include:
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401(k) with up to a 4% Employer Match
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Medical Insurance
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Dental and Vision Insurance
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Additional Life and AD&D Insurance
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Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
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Personal Accident Insurance
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Legal and Identify Theft Protection
Core Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Execution
- Oversee daily operations across all construction and field divisions
- Ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget
- Drive consistency in execution across departments
- Monitor production metrics, job costing, and operational efficiency
- Establish and enforce operational standards and expectations
Strategic Planning & Performance Management
- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company growth goals
- Analyze production data, financial performance, and workforce efficiency
- Identify operational gaps and implement scalable solutions
- Support forecasting, resource planning, and workload balancing
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all departments
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
- Lead and develop department heads, supervisors, and operational leaders
- Build leadership pipelines and succession planning across operations
- Establish accountability standards and performance expectations
- Partner with HR and Talent Acquisition on hiring strategies and workforce planning
- Promote a culture of ownership, communication, and execution
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Project Management to align execution with project timelines
- Partner with Engineering, Permitting, and Survey teams to ensure project readiness
- Coordinate with Fleet, Warehouse, and Facilities to ensure operational support
- Align with Finance on cost control, budgeting, and profitability tracking
- Support business development efforts through operational insight and capability
Safety & Compliance Leadership
- Champion a company-wide safety-first culture
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, and all regulatory requirements
- Review incident reports and lead corrective action initiatives
- Hold leaders accountable for maintaining safe jobsite practices
- Partner with Safety leadership to implement training and compliance programs
Customer & Business Partner Engagement
- Support key customer relationships through operational performance
- Participate in high-level customer meetings as needed
- Ensure delivery meets contractual expectations and quality standards
- Address escalations or operational issues impacting customer satisfaction
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 8–12 years of experience in construction, telecom, or utility operations
- 3–5 years of experience leading multiple departments or large teams
- Strong understanding of underground, aerial, and/or telecom construction operations
- Proven ability to manage large-scale operations and multiple crews simultaneously
- Strong financial and operational acumen
Preferred Skills
- Experience in telecom infrastructure or utility construction environments
- Strong background in production tracking, job costing, and operational KPIs
- Experience scaling operations across multiple markets or regions
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred
- Strong leadership presence with ability to influence across all levels
Physical Demands & Competencies
- Ability to travel between job sites, offices, and operational locations
- Occasional field visits requiring walking uneven terrain or jobsite exposure
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. when required
- Strong leadership, decision-making, and communication abilities
- High level of accountability, adaptability, and strategic thinking
Work Environment
- Combination of office, field, and customer-facing environments
- Exposure to construction sites, weather conditions, and operational settings
- Fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and deadlines
Work Schedule
- Full-time, exempt position
- Monday–Friday standard schedule
- Flexibility for early mornings, evenings, and weekends as required
- Travel required based on operational needs
Training & Development Expectations
New Competencies
- Deep understanding of Universal Services operational structure and workflows
- Familiarity with all departmental processes
- Mastery of internal reporting, production tracking, and financial systems
- Alignment with executive leadership expectations and strategic direction
Ongoing Development
- Continuous improvement in operational efficiency and scalability
- Leadership development and executive-level decision making
- Cross-functional alignment with finance, HR, and business development
- Participation in strategic planning and company growth initiatives
