Executive Vice President Business Operations
Crest Industries · Geismar, Louisiana, United States · onsite
About Optimal
At Optimal, we understand what’s at stake during your turnarounds and projects. That’s why we lead with integrity, trust, and expertise in everything we do. We retain proven, experienced craftsmen and, with multiple locations nationwide, execute hundreds of customized solutions so our clients can stay ahead of schedule and under budget.
At Optimal, you come first—plain and simple.
As part of the Crest family, we are committed to:
We Take Care of our People
We are our Word
We Value Relationships
We Have Something to Prove
Position Description
The Executive Vice President of Business Operations sets the operational direction for the business and is accountable for turning strategy into results. Reporting to the President, this role owns day-to-day execution across construction and maintenance operations – ensuring the right plans, people, and processes are in place to deliver safety, on schedule, and at target margins.
This leader drives operational planning, aligns, resources to backlog, and holds teams accountable for performance in the field. They build a strong, consistent operating model – standardizing how work gets done, improving productivity, and strengthening frontline leadership.
The EVP serves as the President’s operational counterpart, taking ownership of execution so the President can stay focused on vision, growth, and business development. Working closely with commercial partners, this role translates backlog into clear, executable plans and ensures the business can scale without losing discipline on safety, quality, and cost.
Key Responsibilities
Drive Operational Execution
Own performance across all operations
Ensure delivery that reflects Optimal standards: safe, on time, and on budget
Translate backlog and strategy into clear, executable operational plans
Coordinate end-to-end execution to ensure scalability, reliability, and quality
Safety & Operational Excellence
Ensure Health and Safety is the top priority in all operations
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational performance
Analyze business performance to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities
Develop and implement mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity
Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
Define, monitor, and optimize KPIs across safety, quality, schedule, productivity, and margin
Standardize, automate, and refine processes to improve efficiency and scalability
Lead operational excellence initiatives that drive measurable results
Serve as a subject matter expert in operational systems, tools, and best practices
Lead Through Influence & Relationships
Build strong relationships with field teams, clients, and cross-functional partners
Communicate with clarity, energy, and persuasion to align teams
Foster collaboration across Operations, Finance, Sales, and Marketing
Conduct regular customer reviews to ensure alignment and drive growth
Develop Leaders & Strengthen Teams
Build and develop high-performing frontline leaders
Create a culture of accountability, trust, and ownership
Coach leaders to deliver results while developing their teams
Promote an environment where people feel empowered to contribute and grow
Strategic Planning & Business Alignment
Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company goals
Align labor, equipment, and resources to backlog and growth opportunities
Partner with commercial teams to ensure seamless transition from sales to execution
Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to improve operations
Process Standardization & Scalability
Standardize how work gets done across regions and lines of business
Build systems and frameworks that support scalable growth
Ensure consistency in execution without sacrificing flexibility or responsiveness
Additional Leadership Responsibilities
Perform complex and high-impact assignments from executive leadership
Cultivate strong relationships with clients, partners, and vendors
Support organizational initiatives and strategic priorities
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field (required)
10–15 years of relevant leadership experience in construction, maintenance, or industrial services (required)
Strong knowledge of operational systems, technical processes, and target markets
In-depth understanding of competitive landscape
Proven ability to lead multi-site operations and scale execution
Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills
Strong strategic planning and execution capability
Continuous improvement experience required
What Success Looks Like
You bring clarity to complexity and alignment to execution. Teams understand expectations, feel connected to the mission, and are held accountable to deliver.
You don’t just manage operations—you build a culture of ownership, strengthen leaders, and create a system that consistently delivers results.