Vice President, Operations

Company Description

Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country's largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.

Job Description

Position Purpose:

In the role of Vice President, Operations, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and vision to the multi-state region, prioritizing critical issues and empowering your team to achieve ambitious goals. Excel in fast-paced, dynamic environments by overcoming challenges with a resilient and adaptable approach as conditions change. Leverage exceptional communication skills to articulate complex ideas clearly and listen attentively to a wide range of perspectives, ensuring effective collaboration. Cultivate a positive and supportive work environment utilizing high emotional intelligence to build strong, trust-based relationships across the organization. Skillfully navigate and resolve complex issues by developing and recommending creative, effective solutions. Champion diversity and inclusion, showing deep respect for cultural differences and fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Demonstrate a proven ability to expand a regional business, driving long-term success and sustainability.

• Safety: Establish and nurture a safety culture driven by individual behavior and accountability across a multi-state region. Ensure all sites have specific training, resources, and facility-required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) needed to perform the work. Maintain compliance with OSHA, State, and Veolia Safety and Environmental Programs across the entire region.
• Compliance: Lead efforts to ensure compliant execution of contracts for assigned projects, including adherence to established environmental, health, safety, operating, maintenance, and emergency response procedures.
• Reliability: Oversee project delivery performance, ensuring that delivery consistently meets or exceeds professional operations standards. Guide project leaders to demonstrate skills and responsibilities related to dependable project execution, maintaining high quality standards, and delivering consistent results. Apply ingenuity and initiation to coordinate problem resolution, manage conflicting priorities, and meet deadlines within a team environment.
• People Focused: Lead and nurture assigned projects with a positive culture, focusing on being the employer of choice. Ensure project leaders effectively manage resources (personnel, equipment, materials, facilities, funds, and reputation). Demonstrate effective communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills while interfacing with project leaders. Evaluate leader performance, match abilities with job requirements, and capitalize on talents to meet business objectives. Mentor reports to grow their capabilities and leadership skills. Ensure effective communication and execution of business initiatives and progress toward goals by project leaders. Generally lead a collective team of more than 150 employees.
• Customer Obsessed: Collaborate with Project Leaders to create and follow up on new business opportunities. Ensure project leaders build sound relationships with customers and work closely with them to prevent and solve issues. Be available for escalation of issues and address as needed. Performance measured by Net Promoter Score and participation.
• Cost Effective: Lead OPEX (Operational Excellence) initiatives to focus on efficiencies and cost savings across the region. Maintain full P&L and budgeting ownership for assigned project sites. Oversee budget preparation and cost control, with the ability to forecast budget, staffing, and equipment needs. Spearhead efforts to streamline processes and increase efficiency.

Primary Duties:

• The Leader must be able to create a clear vision for their team. They are to anticipate future challenges and opportunities. They must have the ability to clearly communicate vision and goals effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to inspire and motivate their teams to reach professional excellence.
• Demonstrates ethical practices, behaviors and accountability in their teams.
• Fosters collaboration amongst individuals to optimize the overall productivity of the team.
• Creates an environment where people feel valued and empowered to contribute to the organizational goals and objectives.
• Provides tools, resources, and support needed for their team and business to succeed.
• Champions Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and teams.
• Impacts by helping others grow, creating a positive culture, and achieving long-term success.
• Think critically, analyze information, and come up with creative solutions to solve problems quickly.
• Promotes a culture of safety by identifying hazards, potential risks, and has a proactive mindset to anticipate safety issues and best approach to address them.
• Drive a culture of care by being approachable, listen to concerns, and create a supportive work environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Vision:
  • Inspire, guide, and make difficult decisions.
  • Develop a clear, long-term plan for the company's future.
  • Design an ambitious growth strategy, by leveraging both your understanding of the local ecosystem and the global group capabilities.
• Team Management and Culture:
  • Align your region with the safety culture of accountability based around our strategic vision and reinforcement through management safety visits.
  • Build and lead a high-performing regional team of >100 employees across multiple states.
  • Promote a culture of excellence, collaboration, innovation, and multifaceted impact.
  • Demonstrate strong team-building skills, assembling and managing competent leaders.
  • Develop goals for Project Leaders and outline activities to meet business objectives.
• Business Development and Client Relations:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with existing clients, ensuring consistent communication and high levels of satisfaction.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and clients to identify opportunities for expanding project scopes, extending contracts, and ensuring timely renewals.
  • Actively participate in council meetings and community events to represent the company and build relationships with potential clients in neighboring regions.
  • Gather regular feedback from clients and promptly address any concerns, ensuring that services are continually aligned with client expectations.
  • Work closely with the sales teams and clients to develop a thorough understanding of customer systems, challenges, and future needs to ensure tailored solutions are offered.
  • Implement strategic actions to address client needs and improve service delivery, enhancing overall satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
  • Actively seek out and assess new business opportunities, contributing to the company's growth strategy and market expansion.
  • Proven experience in growing a regional business with demonstrated success in managing customer relations including renewal of contracts and establishing new business.
• Operational Oversight:
  • Ensure plant and personnel safety, cost control, and operational efficiencies.
  • Manage financial performance of each operating unit in the region.
  • Oversee facilities collectively managing 100 mgd (multiple sites or single large water/wastewater facilities).
  • Full P&L ownership for a region generating >$50M in Revenue.
• Stakeholder Relations:
  • Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including government agencies, municipalities, industrial partners.
  • Utilize strong negotiation skills to work with diverse groups and find compromises.
  • Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Strategic Planning:
  • As a member of the Contract Operations leadership team, co-create long-term ambition, strategy, and operational models.
  • Foster collaboration and secure new contracts.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills:
  • Exhibit strong public speaking and interpersonal skills.
  • Effectively convey ideas, policies, and strategies to various audiences.
• Decision Making and Problem Solving:
  • Make informed, timely decisions under pressure.
  • Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility in handling unexpected crises and changing circumstances.
  • Excel in crisis management during emergency situations.
• Personal Attributes:
  • Display strong moral principles and ethical behavior.
  • Exhibit emotional intelligence, empathy, and the ability to understand and manage emotions.
  • Demonstrate resilience and mental strength to handle criticism and high-pressure situations.
• Time and Priority Management:
  • Effectively manage a demanding schedule and prioritize tasks.
  • Balance multiple responsibilities across a region spanning multiple states and sites.

Work Environment:

• Ability and willingness to travel as required to support ongoing operations, development of future projects, and to engage with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Background:

• A degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field is strongly preferred but not required.
• Must be able to obtain the required certifications.
• 10 years of leadership experience, 8 of which leading and supervising senior staff, with a focus on strategic leadership and team development.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Leadership and Management:
  • Proven leadership ability in union and non-union environments.
  • Excellence in team building, change management, and mentoring.
  • Ability to work effectively in cross-functional, matrix environments.
  • Strong organizational skills with a focus on high-impact areas.
• Strategic and Analytical Skills:
  • Demonstrated strategic, conceptual, and analytical abilities.
  • Solid understanding of relevant commercial, social, and political water issues.
  • In-depth knowledge of economics and technologies in water/wastewater and biosolids services preferred.
  • Proficiency in strategic and business planning.
• Financial Acumen:
  • Developed financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
  • Experience in commercial management of contracts.
• Operational Expertise:
  • Knowledge of Safety, Environmental, and Facilities/Capital Equipment Management .
  • Successful record in multi-site management.
• Communication and Relationship Building:
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to build partnerships and relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  • Adaptable communication and presentation style.
  • Proven success in contract negotiations and maintaining customer and regulatory satisfaction.
• Additional Competencies:
  • Collaborative approach to problem-solving.
  • Ability to prioritize effectively.
  • Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
  • Thorough knowledge of the basic laws, ordinances and regulations fundamental to the Water and Wastewater industry.

Physical Requirements:

• Spends 40% time in an office environment and 60% at projects.

Additional Information

Pay Range: $150000 to $170000 per year.

Benefits: Veolia's comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.