What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Manager - Southeast Alaska position at Cornerstone General Contractors?
OPERATIONS MANAGER – SOUTHEAST ALASKA – Lead a Region. Build Relationships. Shape the Future.
Cornerstone General Contractors | Anchorage | Juneau | Fairbanks, Alaska
More than a job. An opportunity to build a region.
At Cornerstone, we build more than commercial construction projects, we build exceptional teams, trusted relationships, and stronger communities throughout Alaska. Since 1993, we've earned our reputation as a 100% Alaskan-owned contractor by delivering complex projects while investing in our people.
As we continue to grow throughout Southeast Alaska, we are seeking an Operations Manager to lead our regional operations. This is more than a project leadership role, it's an opportunity to shape the future of one of Cornerstone's fastest-growing markets by developing people, strengthening client relationships, and delivering exceptional project performance.
Why This Role Matters
The Operations Manager is responsible for the success of Cornerstone's Southeast Alaska portfolio. While Project Managers focus on individual projects, this role is accountable for the long-term performance, growth, and reputation of the entire region.
Working alongside Cornerstone leadership, you'll help shape one of the company's most important growth markets by influencing operational performance, client satisfaction, business development, leadership development, and regional profitability.
What You’ll Do (The Impact You’ll Have)
Lead the Region
Provide the leadership that brings consistency, accountability, and direction to Cornerstone's Southeast Alaska operations. You will oversee multiple concurrent projects while aligning people, priorities, and resources to support company objectives, ensuring every project team has what it needs to succeed and every decision strengthens the long-term performance of the region.
Deliver Portfolio Performance
Success in this role is measured by the health of the entire portfolio, not just individual projects. You will monitor schedules, financial performance, staffing, quality, and client satisfaction across multiple projects, working closely with Project Managers to identify risks early, solve challenges proactively, and deliver consistent operational excellence.
Build Lasting Client Relationships
Relationships are at the heart of how work is won and retained in Southeast Alaska. As Cornerstone's senior operational representative in the region, you will build trust with owners, architects, engineers, public agencies, Tribal organizations, and community partners. Working alongside Cornerstone leadership, you will help ensure every client interaction reinforces Cornerstone's reputation for professionalism, responsiveness, and quality.
Grow the Business
Operational excellence and business development go hand in hand. You will partner with regional leadership to support pursuit strategies, participate in client interviews, provide operational insight during proposal development, and help identify new opportunities throughout Southeast Alaska. Your credibility and experience will help clients feel confident choosing Cornerstone for their next project.
Develop High-Performing Leaders
The long-term success of the region depends on the strength of its people. You will mentor Project Managers, Superintendents, Project Engineers, and emerging leaders while helping recruit, develop, and retain exceptional talent. By creating a culture built on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, you will strengthen not only today's teams but the next generation of Cornerstone leaders.
Strengthen the Organization
Beyond project execution, you will help shape how Cornerstone continues to grow. Working closely with Executive Leadership, you will contribute to strategic planning, improve operational processes, share lessons learned across the company, and help build systems that support sustainable growth throughout Southeast Alaska and beyond.
What You Bring
The most successful leaders in this role understand that construction is about more than schedules and budgets. They build trust, develop people, solve problems early, and create an environment where projects and teams consistently succeed.
If you've successfully led multiple projects, developed high-performing teams, built lasting client relationships, and enjoy balancing operational excellence with business development, you'll likely thrive in this role.
Ideal candidates:
- Lead through influence and accountability.
- Build strong client relationships that generate repeat business.
- Understand commercial construction from both operational and financial perspectives.
- Anticipate challenges and solve problems before they affect projects.
- Successfully lead multiple teams and projects simultaneously.
- Develop future leaders while strengthening organizational culture.
- Balance operational excellence with business development.
Experience That Will Set You Up Well
- 8 years of commercial construction experience.
- 5 years managing complex commercial construction projects.
- 3 years in an operational or construction leadership role.
- Demonstrated success leading multiple project teams simultaneously.
- Strong financial management, forecasting, budgeting, and contract administration experience.
- Proven success building client relationships and supporting business development.
- Alaska commercial construction experience.
- Existing Southeast Alaska relationships preferred.
- Design-Build and negotiated project experience.
- Experience mentoring Project Managers and Superintendents.
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred.
Leadership is not built by checking every box.
If you have successfully led people, built trusted relationships, and consistently delivered results, even if your career path looks different than what is listed, we would encourage you to apply. At Cornerstone, we invest in leaders with the character, work ethic, and potential to continue growing.
Our philosophy is simple:
Leaders who create value should share in the success they help create.
What You Get (Total Rewards That Actually Matter)
Compensation
- $140,000 - $175,000 DOE
- Performance bonus opportunities
- Advancement opportunities based on contribution and leadership
Health & Wellness
- Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
- Plans backed by trusted national carriers (BlueCross BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, VSP, Express Scripts)
- Benefits designed to provide real, reliable value; not just coverage on paper
- Wellness support that encourages long-term health and balance
Time & Flexibility
- Generous PTO that allows you to recharge and manage life outside of work
- Paid holidays plus a company-wide break from Christmas through New Year’s
- Paid volunteer time to give back to your community
- A culture that respects personal time and sustainable performance
Your Future
- 401(k) with profit sharing of at least 3% or more, depending on company performance
- Performance-based incentives aligned with company success
- Opportunities for growth and expanded responsibility
- Support for continued learning and professional development
Where We Go Beyond the Market
- Wellness stipend for real-life use
- Referral bonuses plus additional PTO
- Merit-based advancement driven by performance; not tenure
- Life-event support programs
- PTO donation program to support team members during times of need
Our Culture
At Cornerstone, we believe exceptional projects are built by exceptional people. We trust our team members to take ownership, solve problems, and support one another while delivering quality work our clients can depend on.
We recognize performance, invest in professional growth, and create opportunities for people who are ready to take on new challenges. Collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement are part of how we work every day, because our success is measured not only by the projects we build, but by the people and relationships we build along the way.
Why Cornerstone
Here’s what sets Cornerstone apart and why people choose to build their careers here.
- Fair, performance-based pay aligned with your contributions
- A strong, team-first environment where people support each other
- Meaningful work that keeps projects and operations moving forward
- A company that invests in your whole life, not just your role
Build more than projects. Build leaders. Build relationships. Build Alaska.
Salary : $140,000 - $175,000