Senior Director - Construction Operations

Herzog Contracting Corp. is a nationally recognized leader in the construction, operations, and maintenance of rail projects, including commuter rail, light rail, streetcar, and freight rail systems. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in St. Joseph, Missouri, with a satellite office in Fort Worth, Texas, Herzog has built a reputation over more than five decades for delivering exceptional customer service and elite results. The company prides itself on a strong culture of safety, excellence, and teamwork, which forms the foundation of its operations and drives the professional growth of its employees. Herzog’s commitment to safety and quality, combined with its comprehensive experience in complex rail construction projects, makes it a trusted partner in the infrastructure industry across the United States.

The Senior Director, Construction Operations role at Herzog is a critical leadership position responsible for overseeing a defined portfolio of projects within Herzog National Construction. This role demands a strategic and operationally focused individual who ensures that projects meet Herzog’s high standards for safety, quality, financial discipline, and corporate culture throughout all phases from preconstruction to final completion. As a senior operations leader, the Senior Director has executive oversight of multiple concurrent projects, assuming full profit and loss (P&L) responsibility. This position requires a professional who is adept at managing risk, governing contracts, and maintaining strong client relationships at the executive level. The Senior Director plays a pivotal role in developing and mentoring high-performing project teams through leadership development and succession planning, ensuring a pipeline of skilled project managers and senior field leaders.

Key responsibilities include overseeing schedule performance, cost controls, quality metrics, and financial targets while ensuring alignment with operational standards. The position also involves portfolio-level forecasting and margin performance management, including reviewing major budget adjustments and claims strategies. Furthermore, the Senior Director actively engages in risk evaluation during preconstruction and construction phases and supports negotiation strategies for complex contract changes or disputes. Compliance with corporate governance, safety policies, and regulatory requirements is fundamental to the role, as is serving as the executive sponsor for key client relationships, fostering clear communication with owners, joint venture partners, and other stakeholders.

Herzog embraces a safety-first culture championed by this role, which underscores quality standards and the implementation of lessons learned from past projects. The Senior Director ensures regular and consistent participation in promoting Herzog’s culture and adhering to essential behavioral standards. This is a full-time, regionally based position in the United States that offers the opportunity to work within a company known for its exceptional safety record and unmatched expertise in rail construction. Herzog provides a supportive work environment where employees are encouraged to pursue excellence and career advancement within a collaborative team-focused culture.