Snow & Maintenance Operations Manager

At Sustainable Sites, we believe exceptional operations are built by exceptional leaders.

We're searching for a proven operations professional who wants more than just another management job. This is an opportunity to take ownership of a growing snow and maintenance operation, lead a large workforce, influence company strategy, and drive the performance of an entire business unit.

If you're the type of leader who naturally takes responsibility, thrives under pressure, enjoys solving problems, and wants the freedom to make decisions without layers of bureaucracy, this role was designed for you.

You'll report directly to ownership and be trusted to lead people, improve systems, build accountability, and help shape the future of the company. The right person won't be looking for someone to tell them what to do. They'll be looking for the opportunity to prove what they're capable of.

Sustainable Sites delivers commercial snow & ice management and year-round grounds maintenance services for commercial, HOA, municipal, healthcare, and retail properties throughout the greater Des Moines area. We also provide landscape services, irrigation, and seasonal property care, using sustainable landscape practices in our grounds work.

Our clients depend on reliable service and strong communication year-round. We have built our reputation through hard work, accountability, responsiveness, and a commitment to doing what we say we'll do.

We're growing, investing in our people and equipment, and building a leadership team capable of taking the organization to the next level.

We're seeking an experienced Snow & Maintenance Operations Manager to lead winter snow and ice response, seasonal grounds maintenance, and daily field operations across a large multi-crew service area. You'll oversee a growing portfolio and workforce through our intentional regional growth.

This is not a desk job. This is not a coordinator position. This is not a role for someone who simply manages schedules and fills out paperwork.

You will lead field operations, direct a large seasonal workforce, manage substantial equipment and fleet assets, oversee budgets, maintain client relationships, and ensure service quality. Most importantly, you'll have the authority to make decisions and the expectation to own the results.

Success in this role requires leadership, operational discipline, financial awareness, and the ability to make sound decisions when stakes are high and conditions are changing quickly. Whether you're directing a snow response at 2:00 a.m. or managing peak summer production, you'll be the person the company relies on to keep operations moving.

Serve as the primary decision-maker during winter storm events

Monitor weather conditions, forecasts, staffing levels, and equipment readiness

Coordinate response strategies and route execution

Manage snow subcontractors and service partners: set clear service expectations and hold them accountable to our standards

Maintain operational readiness before, during, and after storms

Direct year-round grounds maintenance, including mowing, irrigation, fertilization, landscape bed maintenance, shrub and tree care, seasonal flower décor, aeration, leaf cleanup, and holiday lights

Apply our sustainable landscape practices

Establish operational priorities and hold teams accountable for execution

Develop systems and processes that improve efficiency, quality, and profitability

Monitor performance metrics and continuously improve operational results

Build and manage crew schedules, routes, and daily assignments across snow and maintenance work

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