Contract Developer Operations Jobs in Madison, WI

The Operations Director, Custom Residential Construction, serves as the business leader for Sevan's residential construction practice throughout Los Angeles County. This individual is responsible for leading and growing a profitable business unit focused on high-end custom homes, luxury renovations, and architect-driven residential projects. The role combines entrepreneurial business development, operational excellence, and exceptional client service.

Acting as both a market leader and operations executive, the Operations Director develops relationships with homeowners, architects, designers, owner's representatives, consultants, and trade partners while ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Success is measured by profitable growth, client satisfaction, repeat business, employee development, and Sevan's reputation within the Southern California luxury residential market.

Strategy: Executes and contributes to business strategy for the Residential Construction Services business unit. Develops annual growth plans, operating procedures, staffing strategies, and market initiatives that support long-term profitability and sustainable growth.

People: Leads recruitment, hiring, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and retention for project teams. Creates a culture centered on accountability, craftsmanship, collaboration, and exceptional client service.

Operations: Provides executive oversight of all custom residential projects from pursuit through warranty. Aligns resources, schedules, procurement, permitting, and project controls to consistently deliver exceptional homes and white-glove client experiences.

Client Satisfaction: Serves as the executive relationship manager for key clients. Builds trust through proactive communication, discretion, responsiveness, and personalized service while creating repeat clients and referral opportunities.

Finance: Owns full P&L responsibility for the business unit, including backlog, forecasting, gross profit, overhead management, cash flow, and financial performance.

Business Development: Personally develops relationships with luxury homeowners, architects, designers, developers, owner's representatives, brokers, and industry influencers. Builds a sustainable pipeline of work and represents Sevan throughout the Los Angeles luxury residential community.

Performance Excellence & Safety: Ensures every project achieves Sevan's standards for safety, quality, schedule, financial performance, and client satisfaction while driving continuous improvement.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead business planning, budgeting, staffing, and strategic growth for the business unit.
• Develop and maintain relationships with architects, interior designers, developers, municipalities, and luxury homeowners.
• Prepare, review, and approve project execution plans, staffing plans, schedules, procurement strategies, and budgets.
• Oversee estimating, preconstruction, value engineering, buyout, construction, turnover, and warranty.
• Monitor financial performance and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Lead contract negotiations and major subcontractor procurement.
• Develop preferred trade partner and consultant relationships throughout Southern California.
• Represent Sevan at industry events and networking functions.
• Promote a concierge-level, white-glove client experience.
• Mentor future leaders and foster a culture of craftsmanship, accountability, and service.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership in luxury custom residential construction.
• Demonstrated P&L leadership and business unit management.
• Established relationships within the Los Angeles custom residential market preferred.
• Strong understanding of California permitting, hillside, coastal, and seismic construction.
• Demonstrated success leading complex custom homes from preconstruction through closeout.
• Excellent communication, executive presence, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with Procore, Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, estimating software, and Microsoft Office.
• Executive presence.
• White-glove customer service philosophy.
• High emotional intelligence.
• Strategic thinker with strong operational discipline.
• Financially astute.
• Builder of high-performing teams.
• Relationship driven and community focused.

The anticipated compensation range for the position is $170,000 to $200,000, is based on a full-time schedule, market and business conditions, and is commensurate on individual education, qualifications, and experience. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, flexible paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, and a matching 401K plan.

Work Conditions & Travel:

Hybrid position based in Pacific Palisades, California. Travel primarily throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California as required. Works in office, jobsite, and client environments while balancing multiple complex projects.