Director, Operations (Utility Services)

As Director, Utility Services, you lead the safe, profitable delivery of power distribution, gas utility, water/sewer, and telecommunications construction and maintenance work across Saskatchewan and Manitoba. You build and develop high-performing teams, strengthen client relationships, and grow the division through operational excellence and strategic business development. You are accountable for project performance (safety, quality, schedule, and budget) and for consistently demonstrating organizational values while advancing the strategic plan.

Core Competencies

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Customer Service
• Relationship Building
• Adaptability / Flexibility
• Creative and Innovative Thinking
• Decision support and Judgement
• Planning and Organizing
• Results Focus
• Accountability and Dependability
• Ethics and Integrity
• Attention to Detail
• Providing Consultation
• Leadership
• Staff Management
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Focus on Safety
• Proactive approach to work
• Change Management

Job Duties

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for utility construction and maintenance operations, ensuring consistent safety, quality, productivity, and customer outcomes.
• Work with peer groups to help develop and or deliver national program-level opportunities.
• Lead project execution from initiation through closeout, including scope planning, scheduling, site logistics, budgeting/cash flow, billing, and performance reporting.
• Own contract and commercial delivery: interpret requirements, manage risk, resolve issues, and support crisis-avoidance planning.
• Drive division growth by executing the annual operating plan and growth strategy (customers, services, geography) and by pursuing new and existing client opportunities.
• Lead estimating and proposals (RFQs/RFPs), including pricing strategy, estimate/quote development, subcontractor coordination, and contract negotiation.
• Build organizational capability by recruiting, developing, and retaining leaders and crews; establish clear accountabilities, KPIs, and performance rhythms.
• Champion health and safety by modeling safe work practices, supporting orientations/audits, and ensuring compliance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Represent the division with clients and internal leadership through clear communication, stakeholder coordination, and presentations as required.

Core Competencies

• Utility & Construction Expertise: Power, gas, water/sewer, and telecom construction across overhead and underground environments; civil construction methods (trenching, HDD, aerial).
• Technical & Regulatory Acumen: Interpretation of drawings, locates, permits, quantity take-offs; knowledge of utility standards, outages, isolations, and energized work planning.
• Project & Stakeholder Coordination: Permits, land access/ROW, traffic control, locates, and proactive stakeholder and customer communication.
• Safety & Risk Leadership: Strong safety focus, safe work practices, ethical judgment, attention to detail, and accountability.
• Leadership & People Management: Team leadership, staff development, collaboration, consultation, and change management.
• Strategic & Operational Effectiveness: Planning and organizing, decision support, problem solving, results focus, time management.
• Professional Effectiveness: Relationship building, adaptability, proactive mindset, customer service orientation, and integrity.

Requirements

• Senior Utilities Leadership: 10 - 20 years leading large-scale utility construction and maintenance operations (overhead and underground).
• Operational Scale & Asset Management: Proven experience managing fleets of heavy equipment and vehicles; leading 100–150 staff across supervisors and field crews.
• Education & Technical Background: High school diploma required; technical diploma or degree preferred.
• Business Growth & Team Building: Demonstrated success scaling utility divisions (power and gas), including talent acquisition, retention, succession planning, and frontline leadership development.
• Market & Client Expertise: Established utility-sector relationships and market knowledge in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with the ability to convert networks into awarded work.
• Bidding & Commercial Leadership: Extensive experience leading RFQs/RFPs, competitive estimating, proposal development, contract negotiation, and execution planning.
• Strategic & Operational Leadership: Strong planning, prioritization, decision-making, problem-solving, and crisis-avoidance capabilities; calm under pressure.
• Safety, Compliance & Governance: Strong commitment to health & safety culture; solid knowledge of regulatory, compliance, security, and confidentiality requirements.
• People & Relationship Management: Effective communicator with experience leading diverse teams, managing change and conflict, and building strong client and internal relationships.
• Professional & Values-Driven Conduct: High standards of professionalism, ethics, respect for diversity, and alignment with organizational core values.
• Technical & Digital Proficiency: Strong organizational, analytical, and technical competence, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and enterprise systems.

Work Conditions

• Office and field setting. Location: Regina, Saskatoon, or Winnipeg, with responsibility for operations across Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
• Interacts with employees, subcontractors, clients, and company leadership.
• Overtime as required.

Other Details

• Pay type: Salary
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Paid vacation
• Bonuses
• RPP matching
• Employee share purchase plan