Director of Operations

Why this role matters

As Director of Operations, you will play a pivotal role in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where strategic thinking meets hands-on execution. This position is designed for high achievers who thrive on challenge and complexity, offering engaging opportunities to influence firm-wide operations and drive measurable impact. You’ll work closely with the COO and senior leadership to shape scalable processes, optimize resources, and lead initiatives that fuel growth across multiple offices and disciplines in the A/E industry.

Success in this role requires creativity, adaptability, and the ability to seamlessly integrate with teams of architects and engineers, ensuring operational excellence while fostering collaboration. Travel is essential, as you’ll be at the forefront of connecting people, processes, and technology to deliver results that matter.

What you’ll do

• Operational Leadership: Partner with the COO to develop and implement operational strategies, business processes, and systems that support firm-wide goals.
• Enterprise Level Communication: Ensure cross-practice and functional collaboration and communication is supported and enabled to drive efficiency, consistency, and business culture.
• Resource Management: Oversee workload balancing, staffing models, and utilization across disciplines to ensure efficient project delivery.
• Process Standardization and Workflow- Identify workflows and processes that require SOP's and/or workflow improvement, provide and integrate SOP's and workflows firmwide to eliminate waste and disorganization.
• Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives, standardizing workflows and tools to optimize efficiency, quality, and profitability.
• Financial & Project: Collaborate with Finance and Project Management leaders to monitor budgets, schedules, and operational KPIs.
• Firmwide Integration: Ensure consistent alignment of operational practices across offices and disciplines, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
• Talent & Culture: Partner with HR to support talent acquisition, employee development, succession planning, and a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Technology & Innovation: Drive the adoption and use of technology platforms (e.g., project management, ERP, CRM, BIM tools, Mosaic) to improve operations, monitor adoption.
• Client Service Support: Ensure operational practices enhance the client experience by improving responsiveness, consistency, and delivery quality.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field with an AE experience desirable.
• 10+ years of progressive operational leadership experience, ideally within an A/E/C or professional services environment.
• Strong knowledge of project-based business operations, resource planning, and financial management.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and managing multi-office operations.
• Exceptional problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational execution.

What we offer: CPL cares about your future with us! That’s why we offer the following benefits to you and your family:

• Healthcare for you and your family: Medical, Dental & Vision insurance. Single HDHP Medical plan with 100% paid premium.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer match.
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance Company/team member premium sharing.
• FREE Life Insurance and AD+D Insurance + Voluntary Life Insurance for you and your family.
• FREE Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• PTO + Sick Time + 8 Holidays a year.
• Retirement Savings Plan - Contribution from CPL to grow your retirement funds.
• Tuition Assistance: You may be eligible for continuing education assistance.
• Student Loan Assistance Program: CPL will contribute up to a maximum of $100 a month for 5 years ($6,000 total) towards student loan debt.
• Internal Mobility & Career Advancement.
• Licensure Assistance.

What does it look like working here? We believe that building a strong community is about establishing a prevailing sense of fellowship among our team members, friends, and neighbors.

The rate for this position generally ranges between $164K-197KK annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the New York Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful New York applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in New York or perform the position from New York. Similar positions located outside of New York will not necessarily receive the same compensation. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by New York Equal Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employees already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee's pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.

CPL does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting professionals or agencies, nor do we accept resumes from any source that does not reference a specific, open position. CPL will not be responsible for any fees arising from the use of resumes submitted by recruiting professionals or agencies that do not have a current placement fee agreement with CPL. All initial communication with recruiting professionals or agencies must go through our Talent Acquisition Team.