VP of Construction - California

Company Overview Since 1994, Diversified Fall Protection (DFP) has been a full-service fall protection provider and trusted partner, dedicated to making workplaces safer. Our core purpose is simple yet powerful: Saving Lives. As safety-minded professionals, we deliver integrated fall protection solutions with a focus on reducing risk and keeping workers safe. At DFP, we believe that being Easy to Work With isnt just a pledge its a principle we live by every day. Guided by our Core Values Resolven, Do the right thing, Be versatile, and Take people to higher ground we strive to build trust with our customers, industry partners, and each other. Everything we do is driven by the belief that the worker is at the center of our brand. When faced with decisions, we ask: Which choice ensures that a worker makes it home at the end of the day? Our culture, commitment, and creative expression all serve this core purpose, often reflected in the message we stand behind: #NoFalls. Position Summary The Vice President of Construction, California provides executive leadership for DFP's California construction and project delivery operations and is accountable for the safe, compliant, profitable, and scalable execution of work throughout the state. This role establishes regional construction strategy, operating standards, financial expectations, and workforce plans while maintaining active executive oversight of project execution. The Vice President leads Project Managers, Engineers, Superintendents, Installers, and other field resources; partners closely with Safety, Sales, Estimating, Finance, Supply Chain, and executive leadership; and manages customer, subcontractor, and industry relationships. A critical requirement of this position is demonstrated proficiency in the California construction environment, including California-specific labor, public works, licensing, safety, permitting, and regulatory requirements. The role is expected to anticipate California construction risk, establish compliant operating practices, and build the people, processes, and infrastructure required for sustainable regional growth. Key Responsibilities Provide executive oversight of California construction operations across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring safety, quality, schedule, contractual, compliance, and budget objectives are achieved. Provide direct leadership, coaching, performance management, and succession development for Project Managers, Superintendents, and field leadership while building a high-performing California construction organization. Provide executive-level oversight of project planning, mobilization, execution, closeout, and issue resolution, stepping into critical projects when escalation or senior leadership intervention is required. Own regional construction performance by monitoring project financials, WIP, cost-to-complete, labor productivity, resource utilization, change management, cash flow, backlog, forecasting, and margin performance to drive profitable outcomes. Build executive-level relationships with owners, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, labor partners, and key customers; participate in critical project and owner meetings; and support business development, negotiated work, and repeat-client opportunities. Establish, standardize, and continuously improve California construction processes, project controls, documentation standards, subcontractor management practices, and operating procedures to support consistent execution and scalable growth. Analyze and manage key performance indicators including profitability, safety, schedule performance, quality, and customer satisfaction. Identify and manage operational, contractual, labor, safety, regulatory, and financial risks unique to California construction and implement timely corrective actions to protect project delivery and the organization. Lead workforce planning for California construction operations, including hiring strategy, onboarding, leadership development, succession planning, labor forecasting, and deployment of field resources across projects. Partner with executive leadership to develop and execute California regional growth strategy, annual operating plans, resource plans, capital needs, performance objectives, and market expansion priorities. Maintain working proficiency in California construction requirements and ensure regional practices remain aligned with applicable California Labor Code requirements, Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) public works requirements, Cal/OSHA Title 8 requirements, and Contractors State License Board (CSLB) requirements applicable to DFP operations. Provide leadership and oversight for California public works compliance when applicable, including contractor registration, prevailing wage requirements, certified payroll coordination, apprenticeship obligations, worker classification, and project documentation requirements. Ensure appropriate processes are in place for California wage-and-hour considerations affecting field operations, including overtime, meal and rest period practices, travel and reporting time, and accurate timekeeping, in partnership with People Enrichment and legal/compliance resources. Oversee subcontractor prequalification and performance in California, including verification of licensing, insurance, safety performance, contractual compliance, public works registration when applicable, and adherence to project-specific requirements. Ensure California projects are properly planned for permitting, inspections, site access, jurisdictional requirements, owner/GC requirements, and local agency coordination as applicable to the scope of work. Champion a proactive California safety culture and ensure construction operations comply with applicable Cal/OSHA Construction Safety Orders, fall protection requirements, Injury and Illness Prevention Program expectations, and project-specific safety requirements. Participate in preconstruction and contract review for significant California projects to evaluate constructability, schedule, staffing, commercial terms, labor assumptions, regulatory obligations, and project risk before execution. Provide executive oversight of claims, change orders, schedule impacts, customer disputes, and project recovery plans, escalating legal or contractual matters as appropriate. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field. 10+ years of progressive construction, project management, engineering or operations experience, including leadership responsibility for projects, teams, and operational performance. Proven track record of delivering projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and at or above targeted profitability goals. Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and holding accountable Project Managers, Superintendents, and field leadership while building high-performing teams. Experience managing multiple concurrent construction projects across varying customers, project sizes, and geographic locations. Strong understanding of construction financial management, including project budgets, forecasting, WIP, cost-to-complete, labor productivity, change management, backlog, cash flow, and margin performance. Ability to balance strategic leadership responsibilities with hands-on involvement in project planning, execution, issue resolution, and operational support as business needs require. Proven ability to work effectively across Sales, Estimating, Engineering, Finance, Safety, Supply Chain, Scheduling, Project Management, and Field Operations to drive successful project delivery. Experience implementing or improving processes, operational standards, and best practices to support consistent project execution and scalable growth. Strong understanding of CAL/OSHA requirements, construction safety practices, and a demonstrated commitment to building a proactive safety culture. Demonstrated proficiency in the California construction market, including practical experience navigating state and local regulatory requirements, project delivery expectations, labor considerations, and jurisdictional differences that affect construction execution. Working knowledge of California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) public works requirements, including prevailing wage, certified payroll, apprenticeship, contractor registration, and worker classification requirements, as applicable to company projects. Working knowledge of California contractor licensing and subcontractor compliance requirements, including the ability to recognize when CSLB licensing, classifications, or project-specific registration requirements require review or escalation. Experience reviewing and managing construction contracts, scopes of work, change orders, subcontract agreements, schedule obligations, claims exposure, and commercial risk in a California construction environment. Ability to interpret California-specific construction requirements and partner effectively with Safety, People Enrichment, Finance, legal counsel, insurance, and outside advisors when specialized compliance guidance is required. Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and customer relationship management skills. Ability and willingness to travel regularly to customer sites, active projects, and company locations as business needs require. Preferred Qualifications 15+ years of construction, project operations, or specialty contracting experience with increasing leadership responsibility. Experience in design-build, specialty contracting, engineered products, or turnkey project delivery environments. Demonstrated success building teams, expanding operations, and supporting business growth initiatives. Experience implementing scalable processes and operational best practices. Familiarity with Acumatica ERP or similar construction management systems. Strong knowledge of construction safety standards, including CAL/OSHA and ANSI requirements. Experience in construction, industrial, manufacturing, or safety-related industries. Experience in Scaffold Inspection and Testing (SIT) compliance and Operating Procedure Outline Sheets (OPOS) Documentation Experience leading construction operations in Southern California and/or across multiple California markets and jurisdictions. Experience with California public works, prevailing wage projects, union or collectively bargained environments, or projects involving skilled and trained workforce requirements. Active California contractor license, qualifying-individual experience, or demonstrated experience working within CSLB-licensed contracting operations is preferred when relevant to the company's licensed scope. Pre-Employment Requirements Valid Drivers License & Evidence of Ability to Insure E-Verify eligibility verification Physical Requirements This position is expected to maintain a regular presence in the California office and at active project sites. The role may require walking active construction sites, climbing stairs or ladders where permitted, bending, reaching, standing, and use of required personal protective equipment. Regular travel throughout California and occasional travel to other company locations is expected and may be up to 30% or more depending on project and business needs. Work Schedule This is a full-time, salary exempt executive position. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday during regular business hours; however, hours will vary based on project schedules, customer needs, travel, field operations, and business demands. Availability outside normal business hours may be required for critical project, safety, or operational matters. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Diversified Fall Protection is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws. We value diverse perspectives and believe that a wide range of experiences and backgrounds strengthens our team. Our core valuesResolve to the nth power, Do the right thing, Be versatile, and Take people to higher groundguide how we treat one another and support our mission of saving lives. We are proud to build a workplace where everyone can thrive. Additional Responsibilities This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the role and does not include every task or responsibility that may be required. Duties and responsibilities may evolve or change over time to meet the needs of the business, and the employee may be asked to perform other related tasks as assigned, with or without prior notice.