Operations Director

Operations Director – Client

Proposed Job Description

The Operations Director for Client will be responsible for the overall delivery of the Operations & Maintenance activities as part of Client's team during the Operating Period of the I-4 Ultimate Project for our client, FDOT. At the time of its construction completion, the project was the largest highway infrastructure project in Florida's history. Client was responsible for designing, building, financing, and, since 2022, performing O&M activities along the corridor, which spans 21 miles of Interstate 4 (I-4) from west of Kirkman Road (S.R. 435) to east of S.R. 434. Our Client is responsible for the overall O&M activities but has engaged three key subcontractors: ITS Contractor, Roadway Contractor, and Service Patrol, and may also engage other subcontractors from time to time (the O&M Contractors).

The Operations Director will have oversight of the Project O&M activities and manage the O&M Contractors. As such, the Operations Director is the direct liaison with Client and FDOT regarding day-to-day operations and maintenance matters and will serve as the Operations Manager under the Concession Agreement.

Key Responsibilities

The duties of the Operations Director include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure that the O&M Work is delivered in a safe and efficient manner, and in compliance with the Contract requirements.

• Oversee the O&M Contractors and ensure successful fulfillment of contractual obligations, including coordinating the applicable contractual interfaces.

• Ensure that all O&M Contractors' resources necessary to execute the O&M Work are available.

• Ensure that the O&M Work is delivered in accordance with the Operating Period O&M Plan, the Operations Manual, and the Maintenance Manual.

• Be instrumental in the transition of O&M Work from the Construction Period to the Operating Period and support the handover activities.

• Manage Client issues related to operations, maintenance, and lifecycle impacts.

• Be responsible for the Renewal Works activities, including providing Renewal Works Plan updates in accordance with the operating budget and identifying potential optimizations.

• Support the CEO and CCO on the re-procurement of O&M services for Roadway, ITS, and Service Patrol.

Specifically, responsibilities include:

Operations, Maintenance and Lifecycle Phase

• Function as the key point of contact between FDOT, the O&M Contractors, and Client to discuss O&M matters.

• Manage relationships with O&M Contractors: Roadway, ITS, and Service Patrol, including managing interface matters.

• Maintain the Project operations, maintenance, and lifecycle cost database for changes and identified defects.

• Support the CEO and CCO in negotiations with O&M Contractors and FDOT on compensation for or mitigation of additional operations, maintenance, and lifecycle costs and risks.

• Assist the CEO and CCO in the settlement/agreement of disputes related to operations, maintenance, and lifecycle activities.

• Revise baseline O&M and lifecycle budgets against activities performed by O&M Contractors.

• Support the CEO and CFO with O&M and lifecycle budget updates to the Client Board.

• Take budgetary responsibility for ensuring all Operations & Maintenance duties are completed within budget.

• Responsible for Noncompliance management, including field identification, tracking, maintaining dashboards, coordinating resolutions with Contractor field staff and stakeholders, and assisting in developing mitigation plans.

• Ensure inspections are planned and performed according to the Concession Agreement and standard requirements.

• Ensure the Maintenance Rating Program (MRP) is deployed in accordance with the Concession Agreement, participate in MRP reviews, and analyze results.

• Coordinate construction work related to defects and warranties, oversee remaining Design-Build Contractor work, ensure compliance with requirements, and mitigate potential O&M impacts. Provide technical assessment of construction defects and repairs, field verification of defects, and resolution.

• Coordinate the use of the Asset Management Database, ensuring the tool is suitable for asset condition reviews and supports the Renewal Work Program.

Health and Safety

• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements.

• Provide oversight of and support implementation of the safety program as developed by the O&M Contractors.

• Promote a strong safety culture throughout all maintenance activities.

• Monitor subcontractor HSE performance and compliance.

• Lead investigations and corrective actions related to maintenance incidents.

• Ensure client expectations are managed in line with contract provisions, including any HSEQ requirements of FDOT.

Miscellaneous

• Regularly meet with key stakeholders to manage O&M matters.

• Assist in the production of Client reports, including O&M reporting to the Board and Client.

• Carry out additional ad hoc duties as required.

Required Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in the operations of road contracts, with at least one (1) contract involving a tolled, limited-access facility with an AADT greater than 100,000.

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing highway maintenance programs and multidisciplinary maintenance teams.

• Experience with contract administration and performance-based maintenance contracts.

• Experience administering and managing third-party maintenance contractors, including performance monitoring, subcontract administration, commercial management, dispute resolution, change orders, claims, and extra work requests.

• Experience interfacing with transportation agencies, DOTs, or public-sector clients.

• Practical knowledge of maintenance and rehabilitation considerations for transportation assets, including pavements, structures, drainage systems, roadside assets, landscaping, and related infrastructure.

• Experience managing maintenance budgets, asset management programs, and lifecycle works.

Beneficial Experience (Preferred but Not Essential)

• Experience on P3, DBFM, DBFOM, availability-payment, or other long-term concession infrastructure projects.

• Experience managing maintenance activities under a performance-based contractual regime, including KPIs, performance deductions, abatements, Non-Compliance Events (NCEs), Non-Compliance Points (NCPs), availability deductions, or equivalent mechanisms.

• Experience in maintenance planning, asset management, lifecycle forecasting, rehabilitation strategies, and long-term capital renewal programs for transportation infrastructure.

• Experience presenting maintenance performance, risks, budgets, and strategic initiatives to executive leadership, boards of directors, lenders, or public-sector clients.

• Experience supporting the procurement and re-procurement of maintenance, rehabilitation, and lifecycle service contracts.

Skills

• Strong leadership and team management skills.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Commercial and contractual awareness.

• Ability to make decisions under pressure and manage operational risk.

• Strong analytical, reporting, and problem-solving skills.

• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.

• Develop, mentor, and support maintenance personnel and future leaders to ensure continuity of knowledge and long-term organizational capability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Infrastructure Management, Operations & Maintenance Management, or a related discipline. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered.

• Continuous professional development related to roadway maintenance. Evidence of technical/engineering training on roads, associated structures, and MMIS.

Benefits

Full-time position with a competitive salary range (based on experience), company vehicle, company phone, health insurance coverage, and training and development opportunities.