Operations Manager

Position: Operations Manager

Last Revised: 06.2026

Job Status: Exempt, Full-time

Reports To: Owner

Supervisory Responsibilities: Project Engineers and project teams, as assigned, when leading project execution

Position Summary: The Operations Manager is a hands-on role that spans business development, preconstruction, and operations. This position is responsible for building relationships and originating negotiated work, while staying closely involved in estimating, budgeting, planning, buyout, project setup, and helping run projects when needed. The Operations Manager works closely with the Owner across planning, forecasting, cash flow awareness, and shaping how Polaris grows over time. Given the company’s current size, this role requires flexibility across business development, preconstruction, and project execution, and responsibilities are expected to evolve as the company grows.

Essential Functions:

Safety Leadership

• Lead and promote a company-wide safety culture by demonstrating commitment to an injury-free work environment through individual actions and accountability.
• Ensure all projects comply with OSHA regulations and Polaris’ Company Safety Program.
• Investigate safety incidents and near-misses; identify corrective actions and ensure follow-through with project teams.
• Hold subcontractors accountable to project safety standards throughout execution.

Business Development & Client Relationships

• Lead relationship-driven business development efforts with owners, developers, architects, and key partners.
• Originate negotiated commercial construction opportunities aligned with Polaris’ strategic goals.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships with a focus on repeat business.
• Serve as a primary client contact during pursuit and preconstruction.
• Collaborate with the Owner on target clients, market focus, and overall growth strategy.

Preconstruction Leadership

• Lead and/or support conceptual estimating, budgeting, and early cost modeling.
• Help drive pricing strategy, scope alignment, and constructability input.
• Work with subcontractors on budgeting and early engagement.
• Maintain visibility into the preconstruction pipeline and backlog.

Operations & Project Execution

• Support and participate in day-to-day project execution.
• Run projects as a Project Manager when needed.
• Lead or assist with buyout, subcontractor coordination, scheduling, and project setup.
• Ensure continuity from estimate through execution.

Quality Control

• Establish and uphold quality standards across all projects, ensuring work meets contract specifications and Polaris’ expectations.
• Oversee the RFI and submittal process at a high level to ensure timely resolution and proper documentation.
• Identify deficient work and coordinate resolution with project teams and subcontractors.
• Ensure approved submittals and current drawing sets are maintained and accessible by project teams throughout construction.

Company-Wide Involvement

• Work closely with the Owner across planning, preconstruction, operations, and financial awareness (WIP, forecasting, cash flow).
• Help develop and improve internal processes as the company grows.
• Serve as a key contributor in shaping how Polaris operates and scales.

Other Tasks:

• Meet regularly with the Owner to review business development pipeline, preconstruction status, and overall financial performance.
• Participate in go/no-go decisions and risk evaluation on potential new work.
• Collaborate with the marketing team on proposals, qualifications, and other client-facing materials.
• Follow all policies and procedures set forth in the Employee Handbook and Company Safety Program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skill, Knowledge, and Ability Requirements:

• OSHA 30 Certified.
• Strong business development and relationship-building skills with owners, developers, architects, and trade partners.
• Communication skills, verbal and written (Advanced).
• Ability to conduct effective presentations and represent the company in client-facing settings.
• Proficiency in MS Office (intermediate) and construction estimating/project management software such as Procore and Sage 100 Contractor.
• Ability to prepare conceptual estimates, budgets, and GMP/lump sum pricing.
• Thorough understanding of preconstruction and project execution processes.
• Ability to read and interpret WIP schedules, job cost reports, and margin performance data.
• Ability to manage budgets, maximize profitability, and generate future work through relationships.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate within a team, internally and externally.
• Ability to use critical thinking skills to solve day-to-day business and project problems.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• In lieu of the above requirement, equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of experience in business development, preconstruction, and/or project management within commercial construction.

Physical Requirements:

• Punctual, regular, and consistent attendance.
• Some out-of-town work may be required.
• Frequent communication with internal and external contacts; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Endurance and ability to visit job sites, including stairs or other elevated structures.
• Frequent standing, walking, and travel between the office, client meetings, and job sites.
• Personal protective equipment may be required when visiting active job sites, including hard hat, safety glasses, and steel-toed shoes.

Compensation:

Base Salary: $120,000

Truck Allowance: $700/month plus mileage at the standard federal rate

Phone Allowance: $50/month

Bonus Structure:

• Bonus is based on annual company profit, measured using year-end financials and validated through WIP reporting.
• For bonus purposes, company profit is defined as year-end net profit (WIP-adjusted), plus depreciation, after all operating and overhead expenses.
• Bonus is paid annually in Q2 of the following year, after final reconciliation.
• Employee must be actively employed at the time of payout to be eligible.
• No bonus is paid until the company exceeds $150,000 in annual profit.

Once that threshold is met, the bonus is calculated as follows:

• 10% of profit between $150,000 and $300,000
• 15% of profit between $300,000 and $500,000
• 20% of profit between $500,000 and $750,000
• 25% of profit above $750,000

A supplemental, discretionary bonus may also be awarded in periods where meaningful progress is made in developing pipeline, strengthening client relationships, or positioning future work.

Benefits:

Health insurance: see attached benefit guide

401(k): up to 4% company match with a 2-year vesting period

Polaris Building is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.