Director of Operations
Ottawa, Ontario
Full-Time | Executive Leadership Team
About the Company
We are a leading commercial grounds maintenance, landscape construction, and snow & ice management company serving commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-residential clients throughout the Ottawa region.
Our reputation has been built on reliability, safety, responsiveness, and delivering exceptional customer service year-round. We are entering our next phase of growth and are seeking a high-performing Director of Operations to help strengthen operational excellence, improve profitability, develop leaders, and build scalable systems that support long-term success.
Position Summary
The Director of Operations is responsible for leading all field operations, including grounds maintenance, snow and ice management, landscape construction, fleet and equipment management, and operational support functions.
Reporting directly to the ownership group, this individual will be responsible for operational performance, workforce leadership, execution of strategic initiatives, profitability, safety, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement across the organization.
This role requires a proven leader who can build strong teams, create accountability, improve systems and processes, and drive operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Lead all daily operations across:
- Commercial grounds maintenance
- Snow and ice management
- Landscape construction
- Fleet and equipment operations
- Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with company goals.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) across all divisions.
- Ensure consistent execution of company standards and operating procedures.
- Drive operational efficiency and continuous improvement initiatives.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, and develop Operations Managers, Supervisors, and Field Leaders.
- Build a culture of accountability, communication, ownership, and teamwork.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and leadership development planning.
- Support succession planning and talent development throughout the organization.
- Partner with HR on recruiting, retention, onboarding, and workforce planning.
Financial Management
- Manage operational budgets and forecasting.
- Drive profitability through improved labour utilization, equipment productivity, route optimization, and process improvements.
- Monitor job costing, production performance, and operational margins.
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction without sacrificing quality or service.
Snow & Ice Operations
- Lead seasonal planning and readiness activities.
- Oversee storm response execution, dispatch, communication, and performance management.
- Ensure operational preparedness, staffing plans, equipment readiness, and subcontractor management.
- Analyze event performance and implement continuous improvements.
Fleet & Equipment Management
- Ensure effective maintenance and utilization of fleet and equipment assets.
- Develop preventative maintenance programs.
- Manage replacement planning and capital equipment investments.
- Improve equipment uptime and reduce repair costs.
Safety & Risk Management
- Champion a strong safety culture throughout the organization.
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.
- Lead incident investigations and corrective action initiatives.
- Monitor safety performance metrics and improvement plans.
Client Experience
- Partner with sales and account management teams to ensure exceptional service delivery.
- Participate in key client meetings as required.
- Resolve escalated operational issues.
- Support customer retention and long-term relationship growth.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Lead operational system implementation and optimization.
- Improve reporting, scheduling, dispatching, communication, and workflow processes.
- Utilize technology and data to support decision-making.
- Drive standardization across departments and operating divisions.
Success Metrics
Success in this role will be measured through:
- Revenue growth and operational profitability
- Labour productivity improvements
- Equipment utilization and uptime
- Customer retention and satisfaction
- Employee engagement and retention
- Safety performance
- Snow event execution performance
- Supervisor and manager development
- Achievement of strategic operational objectives
Qualifications
Required
- 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience.
- 5+ years managing multiple departments, locations, or business units.
- Experience leading teams of 50+ employees and seasonal workforce operations.
- Strong financial acumen with responsibility for budgets and operational performance.
- Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills.
Preferred
- Experience in:
- Commercial landscaping
- Snow and ice management
- Property maintenance
- Facilities services
- Construction operations
- Transportation or logistics operations
- Experience with operational software and reporting systems.
- Post-secondary education in Business, Operations, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is:
- A builder of people and systems.
- Highly organized and operationally disciplined.
- Comfortable making decisions in fast-paced environments.
- Strong under pressure and able to lead during critical events.
- Data-driven but practical.
- Respected by field employees and senior leadership alike.
- Focused on accountability, execution, and continuous improvement.
Compensation
- Competitive executive compensation package
- Performance-based bonus program
- Vehicle allowance or company vehicle
- Benefits program
- Professional development opportunities
What Makes This Opportunity Unique
This is not a maintenance role.
This is an opportunity to help shape the future of a growing company, influence strategic direction, build a strong leadership team, and create lasting operational improvements that directly impact the success of the business.
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company car
- Company events
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Wellness program
- Work from home
Work Location: In person
