Director of Operations - Pathway to COO

DescriptionABOUT THE ROLEWe're a fast-growing residential home services company specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and water heater installation, repair, and maintenance. We're hiring a Director of Operations to serve as the operational backbone of the organization — driving profitability, scaling our systems, and leading through our General Managers to build a best-in-class operation.THE COO PATHWAYThis role is a deliberate stepping stone to Chief Operating Officer. You'll be evaluated against clear leadership competencies, operational milestones, and financial targets — with a realistic path to the COO seat as we scale.What You'll OwnSet operational benchmarks across HVAC, plumbing, and water heater service lines; hold GMs accountable for performanceOwn the operational P&L — drive revenue growth, improve margins, and eliminate cost leakage in labor, materials, and overheadDevelop and enforce SOPs for field operations and inventory managementTrack and report weekly KPIs; identify trends and implement corrective actionLead the customer experience — set quality standards, own escalations, and leverage feedback to drive improvementCoach and develop GMs as the primary people leaders; partner with HR on hiring, onboarding, talent management and performance frameworksEvaluate and optimize field service technology platforms (e.g., ServiceTitan)Lead expansion into new markets and service lines; support CEO on strategic growth initiativesWhat We OfferCompetitive base salary + performance bonusCompany vehicleHealth, dental & vision insurancePTO & paid holidays401(k) match We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination/harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.RequirementsWHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR5+ years in a senior or director-level operations roleHome services, trades, or field service industry background strongly preferred (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or similar)Proven P&L ownership with a track record of improving marginsExperience scaling operational processes in a growth-stage companyAbility to lead through managers — earn respect from both field and office teamsData-driven; strong analytical and problem-solving skillsFamiliarity with OSHA, EPA, and CSLB licensing requirements a plus