Hands-On Operations Manager
United Rigging · Beltsville, Maryland (On-site) · Full-Time Salary: $90,000–$110,000/year
About the Role
Run the daily operations of a growing rigging and crane services firm — coordinating field crews, dispatch, billing, and customer communication from a single seat. You are the operational hub: sitting at the intersection of ownership, field crews, dispatch, administration, accounting, customers, and union labor. This is not a supervisory-only role. You will track jobs, resolve issues, hold people accountable, and make judgment calls when direction isn't immediately available.
Responsibilities
- Manage daily operations across dispatch, field coordination, scheduling, administration, and customer communication — serving as the primary point of contact between all internal and external stakeholders
- Track all jobs from initial bid through execution, invoicing, and closeout, ensuring documentation is accurate and no open items are left unresolved
- Coordinate union labor scheduling and field crew logistics, working directly with foremen and field staff to align resources with job requirements
- Support billing and accounting workflows, including job costing inputs, invoice preparation, and follow-up on outstanding receivables
- Hold staff accountable to deadlines, documentation standards, and operational commitments — escalating to ownership when needed, resolving independently when appropriate
- Manage vendor and subcontractor relationships, including purchase orders, scheduling coordination, and follow-up on deliverables
- Identify process gaps and implement practical improvements to scheduling, documentation, dispatch, and administrative workflows
- Handle inbound and outbound customer communication professionally — managing expectations, relaying field status updates, and resolving service issues promptly
Requirements
- 5+ years of operations and/or office management experience in construction, rigging, crane services, logistics, mechanical contracting, specialty trades, transportation, or industrial services
- Demonstrated experience working within a union labor environment, including familiarity with union rules, scheduling norms, and labor relations expectations
- Proven ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and drive assignments to completion without constant oversight
- Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment in high-stakes or time-sensitive situations
- Deep understanding of how field operations, scheduling, dispatch, billing, and customer service connect operationally
- Strong written and verbal communication skills across field crews, ownership, customers, and vendors
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word for job-tracking, reporting, and correspondence
- Demonstrated ability to hold others accountable while maintaining professional, productive relationships
Nice to Have
- Experience with QuickBooks Online for job costing, invoice tracking, or AP/AR support
- Familiarity with Paychex or comparable payroll platforms
- Experience with dispatch or job-tracking software used in field service or logistics
- Prior experience as a first-hire or sole operations leader in a small business or owner-operated company
Compensation & Growth
- $90,000–$110,000/year, commensurate with experience (candidates with direct union/rigging/crane experience may be considered above range)
- Direct access to ownership with a short decision-making chain
- United Rigging intends to introduce a formal benefits package as the company scales — early employees are positioned to benefit from that evolution
- Meaningful opportunity to shape the systems, workplace practices, and employee programs supporting the company's next growth phase
United Rigging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position pays between $90,000 and $110,000 annually. Final compensation determined based on experience and qualifications. United Rigging complies with all applicable Maryland state and federal employment laws.
What we're looking for
- 5+ years of operations and/or office management experience in construction, rigging, crane services, logistics, mechanical contracting, specialty trades, transportation, or industrial services
- Demonstrated experience working within a union labor environment, including familiarity with union rules, scheduling norms, and labor relations expectations
- Proven ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and drive assignments to completion without constant oversight
- Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment in high-stakes or time-sensitive situations
- Deep understanding of how field operations, scheduling, dispatch, billing, and customer service connect operationally
- Strong written and verbal communication skills across field crews, ownership, customers, and vendors
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word for job-tracking, reporting, and correspondence
- Demonstrated ability to hold others accountable while maintaining professional, productive relationships
Nice to have
- Experience with QuickBooks Online for job costing, invoice tracking, or AP/AR support
- Familiarity with Paychex or comparable payroll platforms
- Experience with dispatch or job-tracking software used in field service or logistics
- Prior experience as a first-hire or sole operations leader in a small business or owner-operated company
Benefits
- $90,000–$110,000/year commensurate with experience
- Direct access to ownership with a short decision-making chain
- United Rigging intends to introduce a formal benefits package as the company scales
- Meaningful opportunity to shape systems, workplace practices, and employee programs