VP of Operations Construction Recruiter
The VP of Operations is the person who turns strategy into results. They are not on job boards. They are running a company somewhere right now. Flowstate finds them.
91%
Retention at 12 months
500+
Construction executives in our network
100%
Retained search model
30 days
Average time to first qualified candidate
VP of Operations Roles We Place
We recruit senior operational leaders across every construction company type and size.
VP of Operations (GC)
Oversee all project delivery, safety, and field operations for a general contractor.
VP of Construction
Lead construction operations across regions or divisions.
VP of Field Operations
Manage superintendent teams, quality, and field execution company-wide.
COO / President
Top operational leader, responsible for all aspects of company performance.
Regional VP
Oversee operations for a geographic region or market.
VP of Preconstruction
Lead all pre-bid operations including estimating, scheduling, and pursuit strategy.
Why the VP of Operations Hire Is the Most Important One You Will Make
The VP of Operations is the operational backbone of your company. Every superintendent, every project manager, every safety director reports up through this person. When this hire is wrong, everything downstream breaks. Projects fall behind. Good people leave. Clients stop calling back.
Most construction companies try to fill this role internally first. Promote the best project executive or regional manager. Sometimes it works. But scaling operations is a completely different skill set than running them. The person who was great at managing five projects may not be the person who can build the systems, processes, and leadership team to manage fifty. That gap between "good operator" and "executive who scales" is where companies stall.
An MBA does not fix this. Construction experience does. You need someone who has lived through the growing pains of a scaling contractor. Someone who has built estimating departments, restructured field leadership, implemented technology without blowing up the culture, and grown revenue without sacrificing margins or safety. That person exists. They are just already employed, well-compensated, and not thinking about you.
Flowstate approaches C-suite adjacent searches differently than mid-level hiring. The candidate pool is smaller. Confidentiality matters more. The evaluation is deeper. We are not just checking boxes on a job description. We are assessing whether this person can partner with your CEO, earn the trust of your field teams, and lead the company through its next stage of growth. That takes time, judgment, and relationships that only come from years in this industry.
If you are building toward your next $100M in revenue, the VP of Operations is the hire that gets you there. Or the hire that keeps you stuck. There is no middle ground at this level.
How a VP of Operations Search Works
Executive search at this level is a different process. It requires discretion, depth, and a network built over years.
01
Executive Landscape
We map the operational leaders at every relevant competitor and peer company in your market. We know who is scaling, who is stalling, and who might be ready for the next challenge.
02
Confidential Outreach
We approach qualified executives with discretion. These conversations happen over weeks, not days. Trust matters more than speed at this level.
03
Deep Evaluation
Candidates are assessed on leadership style, P&L fluency, cultural fit, and growth trajectory. You meet only the executives who can actually do the job.
VP of Operations Salary Context
Executive compensation at this level varies significantly by company revenue, region, and scope of responsibility. Here is a quick reference.
| Title | Typical Base Salary | Total Comp Range |
|---|---|---|
| Director of Operations | $140,000 – $200,000 | $180,000 – $250,000 |
| VP of Operations | $200,000 – $275,000 | $250,000 – $375,000 |
| SVP of Operations | $275,000 – $325,000 | $350,000 – $425,000 |
| COO / President | $300,000 – $400,000+ | $400,000 – $600,000+ |
For a full breakdown by company size and region, see our VP of Operations Salary Guide. Looking for director-level talent instead? Learn about our construction director recruiting practice.
Who Hires Us for VP of Operations Searches
General Contractors at $50M to $500M
Growing fast enough that the CEO cannot run operations and sell work at the same time. Need someone who can own the operational side completely.
Specialty Contractors Scaling Up
Mechanical, electrical, or civil firms that have outgrown their current leadership structure and need an executive who has been through this growth stage before.
PE-Backed Construction Platforms
Private equity firms building construction platforms through acquisition. Need operational leaders who can integrate companies, standardize processes, and drive EBITDA.
Regional Firms Going National
Companies expanding into new markets and need a VP who has built regional offices, hired market leaders, and maintained culture across geography.
Frequently Asked Questions
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