Vice President of Operations

Position:
Vice President of Operations

Location:

Charlottesville, VA

Reports To:

CEO

Department:
Executive Leadership CEO

Company Overview

Gropen Inc. is a leading provider of architectural signage, environmental graphics, and branded experiences. For more than 40 years, we've combined creative vision, precision engineering, expert fabrication, and seamless installation to bring environments to life. Our multidisciplinary team specializes in custom architectural signage, way finding systems, experiential branding, and fabrication solutions for corporate, higher education, healthcare, cultural, and public-sector clients.

With an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and client satisfaction, Gropen Inc. delivers projects from concept through installation with exceptional quality and operational excellence. As we continue to grow, we are seeking an accomplished operational leader to guide the next evolution of our production, fabrication, and project delivery capabilities.

Role Summary

The Vice President of Operations is a key executive responsible for overseeing all operational functions within Gropen Inc., ensuring our teams deliver exceptional work safely, efficiently, and profitably. This role provides strategic direction and hands-on leadership across project management, design, installation, logistics, and quality assurance.

The VP of Operations will drive continuous improvement, optimize processes, strengthen cross-departmental coordination, and ensure that day-to-day operations align with the company's long-term growth objectives. This leader will champion operational discipline, innovation in project management and delivery, and a culture of accountability, excellence, and teamwork.

What You'll Do

• Drive day-to-day operational execution across project management, design, fabrication, and installation
• Keep jobs on schedule by anticipating issues early and resolving bottlenecks quickly
• Improve communication and workflow between all teams
• Strengthen quality, scheduling accuracy, and field-readiness
• Implement practical systems that make operations smoother and more predictable
• Track key metrics and use data to improve throughput, cost control, and delivery performance
• Develop strong, aligned teams focused on problem-solving and accountability

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years in operations leadership
• A hands-on leader who excels at coordination and operational follow-through
• Strong, practical problem-solving instincts, especially under pressure
• Experience improving workflows and reducing errors in a custom, fast-paced environment
• Clear communicator who builds trust and alignment across teams

Who will thrive in this role?

• A strategic thinker with a strong bias for action and hands-on execution.
• A proactive, solutions-driven problem solver with an orientation toward continuous improvement.
• A natural leader who believes the team is greater than the sum of its parts.
• An operator who thrives in a fast-paced, highly customized, deadline-driven environment.
• A data-driven optimist who thinks 10x and gets there one step at a time through exceptional organization and prioritization.

Location & Travel

• This position is based at Gropen Inc. headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia, with required on-site leadership presence. Occasional travel may be required to visit job sites, vendors, or industry events.