Regional Director of Operations, MidWest UVM in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at ARBORWORKS LLC
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Job Description
ArborWorks LLC is a nationwide leader in professional vegetation management, specializing in utility line clearance, fire remediation, and large-scale environmental projects. Established in 2003, we have built a reputation for quality and safety by leveraging advanced mechanized equipment and a skilled team of dedicated professionals. Guided by a commitment to innovation, safety, and superior customer service, ArborWorks prides itself on an exceptional safety culture, recognized through industry-leading third-party ratings.
Whether you’re looking to grow your career or contribute your expertise, ArborWorks offers a dynamic environment where team members are valued, and professional growth is a priority. We are passionate about creating safe communities and delivering excellence in every project.
JOB OVERVIEW: REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS (UVM) - MIDWEST
The Regional Director of Operations – Utility Vegetation Management (UVM), Midwest plays a critical leadership role in advancing ArborWorks’ mission to deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality vegetation management services across the region. This position offers the opportunity to lead large-scale utility contracts, shape regional strategy, and directly impact the safety and reliability of critical infrastructure that serves communities every day.
This role is ideal for a results-driven leader who thrives in dynamic, field-based environments and is passionate about building high-performing teams. The Regional Director brings together operational leadership, client partnership, and business acumen to drive performance, strengthen relationships, and support sustainable growth across a multi-state footprint. By developing leaders, influencing strategic decisions, and delivering operational excellence, this role serves as a key contributor to ArborWorks’ continued success and long-term market expansion.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIESRegional Leadership & Organizational Development:
- Provide leadership, direction, and accountability to Operations Managers and regional leadership teams across the Midwest region.
- Develop high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning to
strengthen leadership bench depth.
- Establish clear performance expectations, KPIs, and accountability structures across all regional operations.
- Foster a culture of safety, operational discipline, and continuous improvement across all field teams.
Multi-State Operations Oversight:
- Oversee utility vegetation management operations across multiple states, contracts, and client portfolios within the Midwest region.
- Ensure consistent implementation of ArborWorks’ operational standards, processes, and best practices.
- Monitor production metrics, cycle times, and quality performance to drive operational efficiency and contract compliance.
- Lead standardization efforts across crews, equipment utilization, and work planning processes to improve scalability and consistency.
Client & Contract Management:
- Maintain executive-level relationships with utility clients, municipalities, and regulatory stakeholders across the region.
- Lead contract performance reviews, business reviews, and strategic client meetings.
- Ensure all contracts are executed in alignment with service level agreements (SLAs), regulatory requirements, and safety expectations.
- Act as the primary escalation point for complex client issues, service disruptions, and performance risks.
Business Development & Market Expansion:
- Partner with Business Development to identify and pursue regional growth opportunities within the Midwest territory.
- Provide operational leadership and subject matter expertise for RFPs, proposals, and pricing strategies.
- Support large-scale bid efforts including workforce planning, equipment strategy, and cost modeling.
- Represent ArborWorks in regional industry associations, utility forums, and networking events.
Financial & Performance Management:
- Own regional P&L performance, including revenue growth, margin optimization, and cost control across all contracts.
- Analyze financial, operational, and production data to drive data-informed decision-making.
- Develop and manage regional budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation strategies.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting, billing alignment, and financial tracking across all operations.
Safety, Compliance & Risk Management:
- Champion and enforce ArborWorks’ safety-first culture across all regional operations.
- Ensure full compliance with OSHA, ANSI, DOT, environmental, and client-specific regulations.
- Oversee incident management processes, including investigations, corrective actions, and reporting.
- Proactively identify and mitigate operational risks, including safety exposures, regulatory compliance, and contract performance risks.
Storm Response & Emergency Operations:
- Provide leadership during storm response and emergency restoration events, ensuring rapid mobilization and safe execution.
- Coordinate resources across regions to support emergency response and mutual aid efforts.
- Maintain readiness plans, resource allocation strategies, and operational continuity for high-demand scenarios.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Partner with Safety to strengthen training, compliance, and field safety performance.
- Collaborate with Human Resources on workforce planning, labor strategy, recruitment, and retention initiatives.
- Work with Finance and Estimating to align operational execution with financial goals and contract requirements.
- Support enterprise-wide initiatives, process improvements, and organizational strategy execution.
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Arboriculture, Natural Resources, Business, or a related field preferred, or equivalent industry experience.
Experience:
- Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive leadership experience in utility vegetation management or related industry.
- Proven experience leading multi-state or regional operations with multiple contracts or business units.
- Demonstrated success managing Operations Managers and developing leadership teams.
- Strong track record of driving safety performance, operational efficiency, and financial results.
Skills & Abilities:
- Strategic leadership with the ability to translate corporate objectives into regional execution.
- Advanced financial acumen, including P&L ownership and operational budgeting.
- Strong operational analytics and performance management capabilities.
- Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team-building skills.
- High-level communication and client relationship management abilities.
- Ability to manage complex, fast-paced operations with competing priorities.
Licenses / Certifications:
- Valid Driver’s License with a clean driving record.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) preferred.
Required Training:
- OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour certification (or ability to obtain).
- Utility vegetation management safety and compliance training.
- ArborWorks leadership, operational, and compliance training programs.
- ISA Certified Arborist.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish).
- Experience working with investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, or municipalities.
- Familiarity with GIS systems, work management platforms, and enterprise resource planning tools.
- Experience with large-scale contract negotiations and strategic account management.
- Professional certifications such as PMP, CSP, or equivalent.
- Work is performed in both office and field settings, with regular site visits to oversee operations and engage with field leadership across multiple job sites.
- Frequent regional travel is required, with occasional overnight travel based on operational, business and client needs.
- Regular exposure to outdoor environments, including uneven terrain, vegetation, and varying weather conditions.
- Physical requirements include walking job sites, standing for extended periods, and occasional lifting of up to 25–50 pounds.
- Fast-paced, high-accountability environment with fluctuating workloads driven by seasonal demands, contract requirements, and storm response.
- Extended hours, weekend work, and emergency response participation may be required during peak seasons or outage events.
ArborWorks, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION STATEMENTArborWorks, LLC provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws. Applicants requiring accommodation during the application or hiring process should contact Human Resources.