Construction Operations Manager in Wallingford

Job DescriptionThe Opportunity

Directional Technologies, Inc. (DTI) is seeking a high-caliber Construction Operations Manager to protect corporate profitability, optimize field resource utilization, and scale our operational capabilities. At DTI, we recognize that operational excellence is the engine of our success. We are looking for a strategic leader who respects technical expertise, enforces strict financial and safety boundaries, and masters the human element of leadership to build a high-performing department aligned with our core values.

About Us

At Directional Technologies, Inc., we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the environmental remediation and utility sectors. With decades of experience, we offer a unique opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects that make a difference.

Based out of our Wallingford, CT headquarters, you'll travel to project sites across the country, based on need, for up to 1 week at a time. Estimated travel is 25% of the time. 

On an average day, you’ll…

• Operations Management & Profit Protection: Ensure project fidelity, protect project margins, and strictly enforce the financial boundaries of operations in the field. Enforce strict purchasing limits (IPR required >$100) to stop "convenience spending," manage Project Manager performance to hit "Sold vs. Actual" margins, and audit weekly job costing with the COO to flag and eliminate "Project Fade" early.
• Field Resource Optimization & Scheduling: Maximize the labor efficiency, capacity, and asset utilization of the field crew and equipment. Own the master operational schedule to minimize mobilization delays, logistical bottlenecks, and field downtime while coordinating preventative and emergency equipment maintenance schedules with the Field Supervisor to safeguard project timelines.
• Operational Compliance, Quality & Safety: Establish, audit, and enforce field procedures to guarantee regulatory compliance, safety execution, and consistent delivery quality. Enforce a zero-tolerance policy for safety shortcuts and PPE non-compliance in the field, audit field paperwork and daily logs for 100% accuracy, and review project handoffs from Sales to verify operational and logistical feasibility before mobilization.
• LMA (Leadership, Management, Accountability): Manage the human element of the Operations Department, building a culture aligned with company core values. Directly manage, coach, and mentor the Project Manager and the Field Supervisor, holding the operations team accountable to performance metrics using GWC (Get It, Want It, Capacity). Run highly effective weekly Level 10 meetings to identify, discuss, and solve (IDS) operational issues.
• Personal Development: Continuously elevate corporate leadership, financial acumen, and operational scaling capabilities. Actively participate in peer advisory groups (e.g., Vistage) to bring operational best practices back to the company and master advanced EOS tools to optimize personal delegation and time management.

What we’re looking for: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or related field. 
• Deep operational leadership experience within horizontal directional drilling (HDD) or the heavy highway construction sector.
• Proven track record in an Operations Manager role managing complex schedules, asset fleets, and project margins.
• Love of working with teams and managing direct reports to drive high-quality results and maintain high retention.
• Exceptional financial acumen with experience auditing job costing and managing "Sold vs. Actual" margin targets
• Readiness to travel occasionally to project sites and corporate events as project logistics dictate.
• Strong commitment to continuous professional growth and executive development (e.g., Vistage participation).
• Ability to pass a background security review.
• Compliance with pre-employment and random drug testing.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $115,000 to $130,000 (experience dependent)

Bonus: $15,000 - $25,000 (annually, if scorecard metrics are met)

Profit Share: Percentage of salary, based on company performance

Benefits: PTO, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision packages (administered via Insperity), plus access to the corporate 401(k) retirement 

Travel Expenses: Fully covered via company credit card

Travel: 25% (1 week at a time, project dependent)