Vice President of Operations

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Industry: Mechanical Contracting / Industrial Process Piping
Employment Type: Full-Time

Our client is an established mechanical contracting company seeking a strategic, hands-on Vice President of Operations to lead and grow its presence in the Columbus, Ohio market. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for someone with a strong background in industrial mechanical contracting, process piping, and large-scale project execution who is ready to build an operation, develop a team, and drive significant business growth.

The VP of Operations will play a critical role in establishing and scaling the local operation, developing key customer relationships, overseeing project execution, and building the infrastructure needed to support a growing portfolio of industrial work. The ideal candidate brings a combination of operational leadership, business development, financial acumen, and deep industry relationships.

• Lead and scale operations: Establish, lead, and grow the Columbus-area operation, developing the people, processes, and infrastructure needed to support substantial long-term growth.

• Drive business development: Build and maintain relationships with key customers, general contractors, engineering firms, and industrial clients to identify opportunities and secure new work.

• Manage major projects: Oversee the execution of complex mechanical contracting and process piping projects, ensuring work is delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to quality standards.

• Develop customer relationships: Serve as a senior point of contact for strategic customers, including opportunities associated with major semiconductor and industrial manufacturing facilities.

• Own financial performance: Maintain accountability for the operation's P&L, including revenue growth, project profitability, labor costs, forecasting, and gross margins.

• Build and lead the team: Recruit, develop, and retain project managers, field leadership, and skilled craft personnel to support the operation's growth.

• Oversee workforce planning: Manage labor resources, workforce capacity, and staffing strategies, including experience working within union environments.

• Improve operational performance: Establish consistent processes for project planning, cost controls, scheduling, resource allocation, and performance tracking.

• Partner with executive leadership: Collaborate with company leadership on strategic planning, growth initiatives, market expansion, and long-term business objectives.

• Maintain safety and quality standards: Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and quality across field operations and project teams.

• Extensive experience in mechanical contracting, industrial construction, or a related field.

• Strong background in process piping, high-purity piping, or complex industrial mechanical systems.

• Proven experience leading operations for a mechanical contractor or industrial construction business.

• Demonstrated success managing large-scale projects, multiple project teams, and complex field operations.

• Experience with P&L ownership, financial forecasting, project cost controls, and profitability management.

• Track record of developing customer relationships, winning work, and supporting business growth.

• Experience building and leading teams, including project management, field supervision, and skilled trades.

• Familiarity with union labor environments and workforce management.

• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to operate strategically while remaining engaged in day-to-day execution.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a growing operation and help shape its future. Rather than stepping into a purely administrative leadership position, the VP of Operations will have meaningful influence over business development, project delivery, team building, and financial performance.

The right individual will have the opportunity to establish a strong local presence, develop lasting customer relationships, and help scale the operation toward significant long-term revenue growth, with the potential to build a business exceeding $100 million.

The strongest candidates will be established leaders within the mechanical contracting or industrial process piping space who…