Director, Large Project Kickoff & Project Correction
Network Connex · Remote
National Technologies (NTI), a Network Connex Company, is a premier turnkey installer of fiber optic and data center infrastructure. Working on our team puts you on the leading edge of innovation in the digital communications space.
If being a part of a tight-knit organization that operates in some of the most advanced technology environments around the world sounds like a dream job, NTI might be the right fit for you! With the perks of a large organization, NTI remains true to its roots as a home-grown company with an open door culture that welcomes new ideas and encourages professional growth. We set you on the right path with careful onboarding and thorough training programs that prepare you for success in your role and beyond.
Position Summary
The Director, Large Project Kickoff & Project Correction is responsible for ensuring that large, strategic, complex, and high-risk projects are launched with the organizational structure, resources, controls, and execution plans required for success. In addition, this leader is responsible for rapidly assessing and stabilizing projects experiencing significant performance challenges before issues escalate into major operational, financial, customer, or execution failures.
This highly field-oriented leadership role serves as a strategic operational resource across the organization. Working closely with project leaders, superintendents, operations leadership, labor coordination, Technical Safety & Quality, and executive leadership, this individual establishes project readiness standards, conducts operational assessments, identifies early warning indicators, and leads structured project recovery efforts when necessary.
This role is not intended to replace project leadership. Rather, the Director establishes, restores, and strengthens the operating systems, accountability structures, and execution disciplines that allow project teams to achieve sustainable success.
Key Responsibilities
Large Project Startup & Mobilization
Lead structured operational kickoff processes for designated large-scale, strategic, high-risk, or complex projects.
Evaluate project readiness prior to major field mobilization and execution activities.
Verify project organizational structure, staffing plans, leadership assignments, labor availability, logistics planning, customer expectations, reporting requirements, and execution readiness.
Ensure project teams understand roles, responsibilities, authorities, escalation pathways, and performance expectations.
Establish project performance metrics, startup scorecards, and leading indicators that support early detection of execution risks.
Facilitate alignment among project stakeholders before significant field activities commence.
Project Health Reviews & Performance Assessments
Conduct structured operational assessments during critical project phases.
Monitor project execution trends and identify developing risks, performance issues, staffing concerns, productivity challenges, and organizational misalignment.
Evaluate project controls, manpower utilization, schedule performance, quality delivery, customer engagement, and operational effectiveness.
Develop project health reports and recommendations for operational leadership.
Identify early intervention opportunities before project performance reaches critical thresholds.
Project Recovery & Correction
Lead approved project intervention and recovery efforts for underperforming projects.
Deploy and direct Tiger Team resources and specialized support personnel as required.
Conduct rapid assessments to determine root causes of project performance challenges.
Develop measurable recovery plans that include milestones, accountability structures, resource requirements, and performance targets.
Coordinate support from Operations, Labor Coordination, Project Management, Process Development, Technical Safety & Quality, and executive stakeholders.
Monitor recovery progress and escalate unresolved issues as necessary.
Transition stabilized projects back to permanent project leadership after corrective objectives have been achieved.
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
Conduct post-project and post-intervention lessons-learned reviews.
Identify recurring operational failure patterns and organizational risk trends.
Partner with Process Development and Labor Development leaders to incorporate findings into company-wide improvement initiatives.
Recommend improvements to project startup processes, operational standards, manpower planning, and leadership readiness programs.
Support the development of scalable operational best practices across the organization.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Collaborate closely with Field Operations, Technical Safety & Quality, Labor Coordination, Project Management, Finance, and executive leadership.
Provide objective assessments and recommendations regarding project health and operational effectiveness.
Build alignment among stakeholders during startup, intervention, and recovery efforts.
Serve as a trusted advisor on complex project execution and organizational readiness.
Measurable Outcomes and Success Metrics
Success in this role will be demonstrated through:
Improved startup readiness scores across large and strategic projects.
Reduction in preventable project startup failures.
Faster identification and remediation of project risks.
Successful stabilization and recovery of underperforming projects.
Improved project productivity, schedule performance, quality performance, and customer satisfaction following intervention efforts.
Reduced recurrence of known operational failure patterns.
Effective transition of stabilized projects back to permanent project leadership.
Continuous improvement of organizational project readiness systems and operating standards.
Increased organizational capability through the application of lessons learned across projects and markets.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience leading large-scale construction, telecommunications, infrastructure, mission-critical, or industrial projects.
Significant experience serving in senior field operations, project management, superintendent, operations management, or project delivery leadership roles.
Demonstrated success recovering troubled, delayed, or underperforming projects.
Strong understanding of:
Construction operations
Labor planning and workforce deployment
Productivity management
Scheduling and project controls
Quality management
Safety leadership
Logistics and supply coordination
Customer relationship management
Proven ability to rapidly assess project conditions and make informed operational recommendations.
Strong conflict resolution, communication, coaching, and leadership skills.
Ability to work effectively in fast-paced and high-pressure environments.
Willingness and ability to travel extensively nationwide.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in telecommunications, fiber deployment, broadband, mission-critical facilities, utility infrastructure, data centers, or electrical construction.
Experience in union construction environments.
Experience leading large project mobilizations exceeding $25M in scope.
Formal project management, operational excellence, or construction leadership certifications.
Experience managing multi-state or national project portfolios.
Leadership Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Exceptional operational judgment.
Strong field credibility and construction expertise.
Rapid problem identification and resolution capabilities.
Strategic thinking and organizational awareness.
Ability to influence without direct authority.
Crisis management and recovery leadership skills.
Continuous improvement mindset.
Collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups.
Accountability, resiliency, and execution disci