Director of Landscape Operations

Job Description

Job Description

This is a rare senior leadership opportunity with a market leader based in Morristown, NJ. As the Director of Operations , you’ll own the operational, business strategy and financial performance of a commercial landscape management division. You’ll have true operator-led autonomy, strong platform resources, and a clear runway for growth in a people-first, execution-driven culture. The Director of Operations will provide the key leadership oversight for all recurring revenue, ensuring operations are scalable, profitable, and aligned with organizational growth.

Required Key Attributes for Position Success:

Operational Discipline.

The successful candidate must know how to build structure, enforce standards, and keep the division running with consistency, accountability, and efficiency.

Financial Acumen.

This role requires a strong grasp of budgets, forecasting, margins, cash flow, job costing, and overall financial performance so decisions are grounded in numbers, not assumptions.

Leadership Presence.

The successful candidate needs to lead from the front, create clarity, make decisions, hold people accountable, and earn trust across teams.

Strategic Thinking.

In this position the Director of Operations must see beyond daily activity and understand how to align people, processes, and resources with the division’s larger goals.

Problem Solving and Decisiveness.

The Director of Operations must identify issues quickly, cut through complexity, and make sound decisions under pressure without hesitation.

Communication and Cross Functional Coordination.

The Director of Operations must communicate clearly upward, downward, and across departments so operations, finance, sales, and field execution all stay aligned.

Strategic Leadership & Financial Accountability

• Establish and execute operational strategies to meet aggressive growth and profitability targets within the landscape management profit center.

• Maintain full P&L ownership, including budget approvals, margin analysis, and labor productivity.

• Partner with executive leadership on market expansion, staffing models, and capital investments.

• Implement corrective actions to address cost overruns and optimize departmental financial performance.

• Provide strategic input to the bidding process and ensure seamless handoffs from estimating to operations.

• Oversee all client relationships to contract scope, schedule, profitability, and budget.

• Monitor production performance across multiple sites and resolve any operational challenges.

• Collaborate with sales TEAM to ensure accurate estimates and the development of profitable new business.

• The Director of Operations must be flexible with their thoughts when it comes to maximizing operational outputs vs. contract requirements.

Leadership & Team Development

• Hire, train, and mentor a high-performing team including project managers and field personnel.

• Foster a thriving “ownership mentality” culture focused on safety, productivity, and customer satisfaction.

• Establish clear KPIs and accountability frameworks to drive continuous improvement.

• Oversee all facets of Safety, Quality Control & Process Compliance

• Enforce rigorous safety standards and ensure compliance with OSHA and local regulations.

• Set quality standards and conduct regular job-site audits to ensure consistency and excellence.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in landscape management or field operations.

• 5+ years in a senior leadership or executive role managing large teams and significant budgets in a business-to-business environment in construction, environmental services or facility services.

• Proven track record of achieving operational KPIs and exceeding financial goals.

• Deep technical knowledge of landscape management ‘Best Practices’.

Preferred Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in landscape related field, construction management, engineering, or extensive allied industry experience.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to implement scalable systems and SOPs.

• Exceptional relationship-building skills with clients, general contractors, and architects.

Position Requires:

• Completion of background check prior to employment commencement is required.

• Completion of Driver License Abstract is required prior to employment commencement.

Compensation:

This role offers a competitive base salary, and a performance-based bonus opportunity. Total compensation will be commensurate with experience, leadership capability, and overall fit for the role. The company also provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health benefits, retirement plan options, paid time off, and other senior level benefits.

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