Director Of Project Operations Jobs in Minnesota

Our Director of Project Management leads our Project Management team. This role requires a deep understanding of signage products, compliance requirements, and budget/profitability practices tied to construction and installation projects. The Director will provide consultative leadership focused on strengthening the team's skillsets while ensuring that projects are executed efficiently, compliantly, and with exceptional client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Project Managers, building capabilities in both technical and client-facing aspects of project delivery.
  • Foster a consultative, solutions-focused culture that emphasizes continuous improvement and professional growth.
  • Develop and maintain training materials, onboarding guides, and reference resources for both new hires and existing team members.
  • Conduct coaching sessions, performance reviews, and team training in areas such as compliance, billing, timelines, and project budget/profitability.
  • Manage the recruitment process from reviewing applications to interviewing and selecting candidates.

• Project Management Oversight
  • Monitor the full lifecycle (quote to cash) of signage projects, including production design and permitting through fabrication and installation.
  • Implement and maintain project management best practices, tools, and processes to ensure consistency and accountability.
  • Provide direct support and guidance on complex or escalated projects.
  • Ensure that all project details, documentation, and approvals are complete and accurate before advancing to the next step in the process to prevent delays, rework, and costly errors.
  • Create and oversee kick-off meetings with appropriate internal stakeholders for project awareness. Create and oversee recurring meetings, as needed, through project completion.
  • Must develop expert-level proficiency in our software to manage projects, track progress, and ensure accurate reporting.
  • Be proactive (versus reactive) through the project timeline.

• Compliance & Quality Control
  • Ensure all projects meet applicable regulations, including municipal codes, ADA standards, permitting, and safety requirements.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of compliance items specific to the signage industry.
  • Manage and enforce documentation standards for quality assurance and regulatory reporting.

• Financial & Contractual Management
  • Oversee and train project managers in construction-related billing and compliance processes, including contracts, change orders, AIA payment applications, progress billing, certified payroll, bonds, Controlled Insurance Programs, and IC-134 requirements.
  • Ensure accurate and timely preparation of project billing documentation in compliance with contractual terms and client requirements.
  • Collaborate with accounting and leadership to align project financials with company goals.

• Client & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Partner with clients, sales teams, and internal stakeholders to define project scope, objectives, timelines, and deliverables.
  • Resolve escalated client concerns with professionalism and a solutions-oriented mindset with a customer-centric focus.
  • Build and maintain relationships with customers, general contractors, and subcontractors.
  • Responsible for the process of sourcing and qualifying subcontract installers to ensure project needs, including profitability, are met with quality, safety, and efficiency.

• Strategic Contributions
  • Collaborate with leadership to align departmental goals with company objectives.
  • Collaborate with production and design teams to streamline processes and workflow. Be the connector between departments, not just the messenger.
  • Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, billing accuracy, compliance processes, and training programs.
  • Track departmental performance metrics and report results to senior leadership.
  • Eliminate bottlenecks and constraints within our typical workflows.
  • Champion change management with a positive attitude.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree (or equivalent experience) in Business, Project Management, Construction Management, or related field.
• 5+ years of project management experience in the signage industry (required).
• 2+ years of leadership/management experience.
• Strong knowledge of signage fabrication, installation, permitting, and compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience with AIA payment applications, progress billing, certified payroll, bonds, Controlled Insurance Programs, and IC-134 reporting requirements.
• Experience creating and delivering training content for teams and new hires.
• Proficiency with project management tools/software.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

Core Competencies/Preferred Skills

• OSHA 10 certification
• PMP or equivalent project management certification preferred.
• Process improvement
• Strong consultative leadership style with a proven record of team development and performance improvement
• Strong communication skills
• Strategic thinking
• Conflict resolution
• Versatility
• Establish priorities
• Time management
• Detail-oriented
• Problem solving
• Soft skills
• Leadership

EEO STATEMENT: Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status or status with regard to public assistance.