Project Lift Director

Job Summary

The Lift Director is responsible for the overall planning, safety, oversight, and execution of all crane, hoisting, and rigging operations on the project site. This role is responsible for verifying that all lifting activities comply with OSHA standards, ASME requirements, contract specifications, and Yates site-specific safety policies, while driving a culture of safety leadership across all crane and rigging operations.

Primary Duties

• Onsite Full-Time Oversight: Maintain continuous full-time presence on the jobsite before crane assembly, through testing, active lifting operations, and crane disassembly.
• Lift Planning & Logistics: Develop, review, and approve comprehensive lift plans (including critical lift plans), evaluating site logistics, ground bearing capacities, crane setup locations, power line clearances, and swing radii.
• Assembly & Disassembly Supervision: Oversee all crane setup, assembly, rigging, counterweight positioning, and disassembly operations in compliance with manufacturer manuals, engineering requirements, and OSHA guidelines.
• Rigging & Hoisting Coordination: Verify rigging selection, capacity calculations, hitch configurations, and load weight estimates. Ensure all riggers and signal persons on site are fully qualified and designated.
• Pre-Lift Safety Briefings: Conduct/Attend mandatory pre-lift safety meetings and daily briefings with crane operators, riggers, signal persons, and surrounding site crews before initiating operations.
• Authority to Stop Unsafe Work: Exercise immediate stop-work authority if unsafe ground conditions, adverse weather, equipment deficiencies, or unapproved scope deviations occur.
• Contract & Scope Compliance: Understand contract requirements, scope boundaries, technical specifications, and site-specific safety protocols related to lifting and crane management.
• Documentation & Records: Maintain written logs of daily lift activities, crane inspection reports, rigging inspection tags, operator certifications, and pre-lift meeting minutes.
• Subcontractor & Stakeholder Coordination: Interface with project management, field superintendents, trade partners, and client representatives to ensure lifting operations align safely with the overall construction master schedule.

Safety Responsibilities and Expectations

• Responsible for refusing unsafe work and for carrying out all work in accordance with the established Yates Safety Procedures and Work Practices.
• Report all incidents, near hits, and hazards to management immediately.
• Required to wear and maintain personal PPE.
• Advise fellow employees and trade partners of hazardous situations.
• Participate in workplace inspections and crane safety audits.
• Comply with statutory requirements, including duty of care under federal, state, and local safety codes.
• Participate in and facilitate required and/or assigned safety training.
• Provide actionable suggestions to continuously improve site safety.
• Present a mature approach to working safely and leading field personnel.
• Attend prestart and safety meetings, offering specialized equipment safety guidance.
• Assist with administering the site safety program as required and ensuring Trade Partner compliance with OSHA standards (e.g., 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC), Yates Site-Specific Requirements, and all applicable safety codes and regulations.

Qualifications

• Lift Director Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Lift Director or in a directly similar supervisory role.
• Crane & Rigging Experience: Minimum of ten (10) years of hands-on crane and rigging experience in heavy commercial, industrial, or infrastructure construction.
• Certification: National Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) or able to sit for NCCCO Lift Director Certification
• Logistics & Planning: Proven experience in site logistics, rigging design, ground support evaluation, and crane planning.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; an undergraduate degree or technical diploma in Construction Management, Engineering, or Occupational Safety is desirable (equivalent industry experience may substitute).

Requirements

• Requirement to be on-site full time before and during crane assembly, operation, and disassembly.
• Comprehensive understanding of OSHA standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC - Cranes and Derricks in Construction) and ASME B30 safety standards (ASME B30.5, B30.3, B30.20).
• Deep technical knowledge of crane load charts, boom angle calculations, load weight distribution, and rigging hardware selection.
• Ability to read, interpret, and evaluate technical specifications, structural blueprints, rigging drawings, and manufacturer installation manuals.
• Implementation and management of Yates safety procedures, standards, and crane protocols on site.
• High focus on ensuring all aspects of hoisting and rigging operations are performed safely and without compromise.

Competencies

• Safety Leadership: Leading by example, holding oneself and others accountable, and coaching crews in proactive safety practices.
• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with crane crews, client representatives, and site leadership.
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Strong ability to analyze complex lifts, anticipate site hazards, and execute safe logistics solutions.
• Collaboration: Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills with the ability to work constructively in a multi-trade project environment.
• Time Management: Meticulous organizational and time management skills to ensure lifting operations run safely and according to schedule.

Physical Demands / Essential Job Functions

This job description reflects an assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Physical requirements for this role may include, but are not limited to, walking on rough terrain, standing for extended periods, climbing crane ladders/access points for inspection, operating testing equipment, and lifting items up to 25–50 lbs. Tasks are routinely carried out in varying weather conditions and dynamic construction environments applicable to the position.

About Yates Construction

Ranked among the top commercial and industrial construction companies in the country by Engineering News-Record, Yates Construction is family-owned and provides a wide range of construction and building services. Incorporated in 1964 by William G. Yates Jr., we have steadily grown to become one of the top commercial and industrial construction companies in the nation. We are financially sound with a significant bonding capacity as well as vast personnel and equipment resources.

Our portfolio includes commercial and industrial projects from various sectors, including arts and culture, civil, commercial, education, entertainment and gaming, federal, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, municipal, retail, and technology. We work hard to understand our client’s business needs and continually look for opportunities to provide additional value to our clients and their projects.

Our client relationships are the foundation of our success, and our primary goal is to help each of our clients achieve their vision. We do this by carefully managing the details and complexities of each project and communicating constantly with all team members.

Yates Construction provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal and state law requirements.

Yates complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.