DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS - Southern California

Lake forest, CA, United States

Who We Are

We are a water-focused engineering consulting firm, certified as a Great Place to Work based on feedback from our community of over 230 team members and ranked top three in the AEC Advisors 2021 and 2022 Diversity Index Top Firms. Since 1990, our mission has been to be the water firm of choice for both our clients and our team. Over the years we have built upon that mission and now integrate a host of high-quality services in groundwater, water supply, water and wastewater treatment, water infrastructure, stormwater, recycled water, construction management, and operations technology from our multiple locations in the west. As a team, we work with our clients to understand their true needs. Our long-term relationships are based on integrity, partnership, and high-value solutions. In 2023 and beyond, West Yost is advancing water resources for future generations and living our core values every day.

COMPENSATION RANGE: $161,805 to $275,080. Based on our Lake Forest office location. (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions).

LOCATION(s): Can sit in either our Lake Forest or San Diego office locations - (https://www.westyost.com/locations/).

Standard Benefits

We provide a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving accounts (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, two employee assistance programs, travel assistance program, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, leaves of absence with additional supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and even pet insurance.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS (Southern California)

Position Description

Join Us as Our Director of Operations: Shape the Future of Water Sustainability

At West Yost, our legacy is built on three decades of dedication to water innovation and delivering high value solutions that are well communicated. Our commitment to shaping a sustainable future for water resources across communities is at the heart of everything we do. We are now inviting applications for a pivotal role within our leadership team - Director of Operations, Southern California. This position represents more than a job. It's an invitation to help lead change in water, wastewater, and environmental stewardship while nurturing a team of dedicated professionals who are as passionate about their careers as they are about the communities they serve.

Founded in 1990, our employee-owned firm is a beacon of innovation and excellence in the AEC sector. From pioneering green infrastructure design to award-winning water projects, we believe in the power of engineering to create lasting solutions. Our team, comprising over 200 multidisciplinary experts across nine offices, thrives on a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and transformative solutions.

Your Role: As the Director of Operations, you're not just at the helm of project management; you're at the heart of our family, guiding the professional growth and success of our teams. You'll oversee pivotal sectors, including Water, Recycled Water Compliance, and Operations Technology, Cybersecurity and Resilience and Groundwater, infusing your strategic vision into our Southern California operations.

Your leadership will shape the career paths of 3-5 direct reports, influence client experiences, and ensure the seamless execution and excellence of our projects. From spearheading recruitment to crafting succession plans, your role is integral to nurturing our incredible team.

Your Impact

Market Engagement & Expansion: Utilize your industry acumen to forge new client relationships and solidify our presence in Southern California. Your strategic outreach will help us usher in new projects and partnerships.

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration: From internal mentorship to external negotiation, your leadership will be a catalyst for team cohesion and client satisfaction. You'll drive statewide strategic initiatives, positioning West Yost as the premier choice for comprehensive environmental solutions.

Project Oversight & Execution: Your expertise will guide projects from conception to completion, ensuring quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction. Your role is crucial in translating complex engineering challenges into actionable plans.

What Sets You Apart

A robust understanding of the Southern California market, coupled with deep technical knowledge in water and environmental consulting.

An entrepreneurial mindset, underscored by integrity, that drives business development and client relationship cultivation.

Passion for fostering an inclusive, collaborative work environment.

Proven prowess in communication, negotiation, and strategic planning.

At least fifteen years of relevant experience, backed by a BS/MS in an engineering field or Business Administration.

Our Promise to You: Joining us means stepping into a role that values your holistic wellbeing. With a competitive salary range of $161,805 to $275,080, our comprehensive benefits package is designed around your health, time, and future. From flexible hybrid work arrangements and a generous PTO policy to professional development support and tuition reimbursement, we invest in your happiness and excellence.

As part of our commitment to inclusivity, West Yost is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Our Employee-First Philosophy: Your Growth, Our Shared Success

What truly distinguishes West Yost is our genuine spirit of co-ownership. As an employee-owned firm, we don't just offer you a job; we invite you into our circle of shared success and innovation. Every role within our family is a thread in the fabric of our legacy, including yours.

Ownership Opportunities: In recognition of our team's collective drive and dedication, we extend the opportunity for ownership within the company. As you grow with us, demonstrating your impact and leadership, you may be invited to buy into the firm, laying claim to a piece of our shared future success. This pathway is more than a financial endeavor; it's a testament to trust, respect, and mutual ambition.

By investing in West Yost, you’re planting a seed in a garden of professional camaraderie, financial growth, and personal achievement. This unique culture of ownership amplifies our commitment to one another and to the excellence of our work, fueling a cycle of success that reverberates through our projects, our communities, and the very environment we strive to protect.

Shape the Future with Us: Embark on a career with West Yost where your contributions will be celebrated, your professional growth nurtured, and where your success genuinely translates into our collective prosperity. This is more than a career opportunity. It's a chance to make a genuine impact on the future of water sustainability and community health while leading a team poised to redefine the industry. Apply today and together, let's engineer a future where both people and nature thrive.

Travel Requirements

*This position will require travel to other offices and/or client offices. Applicant must carry a valid driver's license. Applicant must also be able to meet West Yost’s rules and be eligible to drive for business. West Yost’s insurance carrier reserves the right to exclude applicants based on their driving record.*

Our commitment to quality begins with our hiring practices. We employ the most talented team members in our industry from all backgrounds. We are highly selective of the individuals we choose to represent the firm, seeking only those individuals whose technical abilities and commitment to client service matches our vision for excellence. We are dedicated to our number one asset, our employees. Because we are employee-owned, we are responsible for and rewarded by our own success. Come to West Yost where, with our support, you’ll do the best work of your life.

A Day In The Life

You will experience many opportunities to grow and develop professionally with your colleagues through collaborative in-person work experience, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities. We also offer hybrid and flexible work schedules to our employees to help promote and encourage a healthy work/life balance. All of our team members have access to local and company-wide events, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workgroup, Culture Workgroup, Wellness Workgroup, book clubs, charitable giving and community service, firm-wide resources, peer groups (young professionals & middlers group), and mentorship and leadership programs. We support and foster your career success and encourage you to be in control of your future with us. Our annual company-wide monthly staff meetings, annual in-person All Staff meeting, Duck Dinner, company camping events, company celebrations, and other company-sponsored events provide an important part of the West Yost culture, which is to have fun.

Other Unique Benefits

You’ll be provided with support in on-going education through our 529 college savings plan/student loan repayment program, tuition reimbursement, paid professional memberships, paid training, and Leadership Academy programs. You’ll be recognized for your contributions at West Yost through milestone anniversary benefits, peer to peer recognition programs, the potential for employee stock ownership, annual monetary and paid time off bonuses, performance-based bonus eligibility, merit increase eligibility, and employee referral bonuses. We also offer a wellness reimbursement.

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