Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Location: Richmond, VA
Reports To: President & CEO

POSITION SUMMARY

Atlantic Constructors, Inc. (ACI) is seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our executive team and lead all non-service operational functions across the organization. ACI is known for its strong, people-first culture, pride in craftsmanship, and excellence in executing highly complex mechanical construction projects. The COO will honor what has made ACI successful while elevating operational performance, driving continuous improvement, and strengthening leadership bench strength across all divisions.

This is a transformational leadership role responsible for operational strategy, division leadership, manufacturing operations, remote office oversight, and enterprise-wide process improvements. The ideal leader will combine deep mechanical construction expertise, outstanding executive presence, and a passion for developing people. With successful performance, this individual will be positioned to grow into the President role as part of ACI’s long-term succession plan.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to the President, executive team, and ownership group.
• Translate organizational goals into clear, actionable operational strategies that drive performance, growth, and culture alignment.
• Lead long-range planning, workforce development, and succession strategy for operations leadership.
• Oversee companywide OKRs, performance dashboards, and KPIs to ensure accountability and progress.
• Drive initiatives that elevate safety performance, operational consistency, and customer satisfaction.

Operational Oversight (All Operations Except Service)

• Provide leadership and direction for:
• Division Managers
• Remote Office Managers
• Manufacturing Operations
• Fabrication & Prefabrication Teams
• Construction Field Operations
• Project Management & Execution Teams
• Align operations with budgets, forecasts, and organizational capacity.
• Drive operational excellence, including standard operating procedures, job costing accuracy, and field productivity.
• Lead continuous improvement and lean initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency, and financial results.

Financial Leadership & P&L Management

• Partner with finance to manage ACI’s overall P&L, optimizing margins, cost controls, and project profitability.
• Ensure strong forecasting, risk management, cash flow planning, and backlog health across all operating units.
• Evaluate the financial impact of operational decisions to support sustainable scaling.

People Leadership & Culture

• Model and reinforce ACI’s strong culture, values, and commitment to employee development.
• Build leadership capability across divisions through coaching, mentorship, and structured talent development.
• Lead performance management for all operational leaders, ensuring accountability and alignment.
• Develop retention strategies, career paths, and bench strength for future field and operational leadership.

Client Relations & Business Development Support

• Strengthen client relationships and ensure operational alignment with customer priorities.
• Support major pursuits, high-visibility negotiations, and proposal strategy for key accounts.
• Partner with estimating and business development to ensure operational accuracy during preconstruction.

Contract Negotiation & Risk Management

• Lead negotiations for major project contracts, subcontractor agreements, and strategic vendor partnerships.
• Ensure contract terms, scopes, and project delivery approaches align with ACI’s operational strategy and risk profile.
• Implement best practices in claims avoidance, dispute resolution, and project controls.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Implement standardized operating frameworks across all remote offices and divisions.
• Lead technology adoption and digital transformation initiatives to improve scheduling, planning, fabrication, and execution.
• Drive integration between manufacturing and field operations to optimize prefabrication strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Minimum 15 years of operations leadership within a large commercial mechanical contractor (preferred experience: $200M+ revenue environment).
• Proven experience leading multi-division, multi-location operations with full P&L accountability.
• Strong executive presence, communication skills, and the ability to influence across diverse teams.
• Demonstrated track record of improving operational performance, safety, and financial outcomes.
• Experience managing large teams of PMs, Superintendents, Fabrication Managers, and Division Leaders.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or related).
• Experience integrating manufacturing/prefabrication processes into construction operations.
• Experience supporting or stepping into President-level or EVP-level roles.

CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Vision: Thinks several moves ahead; turns goals into executable plans that align operations, teams, and resources.
• Operational Expertise: Deep understanding of mechanical construction workflows, prefabrication, PM execution, field operations, and risk management.
• Leadership & People Development: Rallies teams around purpose, develops next-generation leadership, and builds a culture of accountability and performance.
• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Navigates complexity, makes sound decisions under pressure, and resolves issues with clarity and speed.
• Emotional Intelligence: Builds trust, creates psychological safety, and communicates with empathy—even in challenging situations.
• Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in change, maintains composure under pressure, and leads the organization through evolving market conditions.

WHY ACI?

Joining ACI means joining a company with a remarkable culture, strong values, and a reputation for excellence. ACI invests deeply in its people, believes in promoting from within, and focuses relentlessly on doing the right thing - for employees and clients alike. This COO role is a rare opportunity to lead an exceptional operations group while shaping the future direction of the company.