Vice President of Project Management & Installation
I have been retained by a client of mine to help them find a person who will fill a critical role in their organization. The company is a $650 million full-service provider of specialized graphic solutions spanning creative design, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, project management and installation. The company creates visually impactful brand experiences for many of the world’s largest organizations across Retail, Transportation, Live Events, Commercial Print, Education, Medical, Insurance, Sports and Hospitality. With more than 2,100 employees across 20+ North American locations, they combine broad manufacturing capabilities with a national footprint, short lead times and a strong client-service orientation.
The Vice President of Project Management & Installation provides strategic leadership for project execution across my clients Retail and Transportation segments, with a strong focus on large-scale, complex installation programs. This role is responsible for building and institutionalizing a best-in-class project management discipline across the organization—establishing standardized processes, governance, tools, and capabilities that ensures industry leading customer experience through consistent execution and scalability. The VP leads the development of a structured, project management function that drives visibility, accountability, and predictability across all projects—from initial planning through final installation. The focus of this role in building a project management team that is focused on installation, execution and delivery. Working within a matrixed structure, this executive will build the organization, systems, contractor network, commercial model, and operating disciplines needed to create a differentiated national installation platform.
Responsibilities
Enterprise Project Management Discipline ? Design and implement a standardized project management framework across the organization (methodologies, tools, governance, and reporting). ? Establish project lifecycle standards (intake, planning, execution, risk management, change control, and closeout). ? Develop and enforce project management best practices, ensuring consistency across all business units and locations. ? Implement project prioritization, resource planning, and capacity management processes. ? Build robust project tracking and reporting systems, providing real-time visibility into timelines, risks, financials, and performance. ? Introduce and drive adoption of KPIs and performance metrics (on-time delivery, cost adherence, quality, customer satisfaction) to ensure execution meets expected outcomes. ? Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance project execution efficiency, predictability, and scalability. Project & Installation Leadership ? Lead enterprise-wide execution of project management across their Retail, Events and Transportation segments. ? Oversee end-to-end delivery of complex, large-scale programs, ensuring alignment from planning through installation. ? Ensure flawless execution of installation projects, with emphasis on proper alignment, adhesion, durability, and finish quality across all applications. ? Integrate project management discipline tightly with installation execution to ensure seamless handoffs and accountability. Installation Excellence ? Build and oversee a high-performing network of internal teams and third-party certified installers. ? Standardize installation processes, training, certification, and quality expectations. ? Ensure installation teams deliver consistent, high-quality results across diverse surfaces and environments. ? Champion craftsmanship, technical expertise, and adherence to best practices. ? Ensure compliance with all safety, regulatory, and site-specific requirements. Operational & Financial Leadership ? Own project and installation-related financial performance, including budgets, margins, and cost control. ? Drive improvements in estimation accuracy, forecasting, and scheduling discipline. ? Partner cross-functionally (Procurement, HR, IT, Operations) to ensure systems and processes support scalable project execution. ? Conduct site visits to assess execution and reinforce standards. ? Measure expected financial outcomes against planned outcomes and resolve shortcomings by improving best practices. Customer & Commercial Partnership ? Partner closely with Sales and Customer Service to ensure project scope, timelines, and deliverables are well-defined and achievable. ? Improve project scoping, quoting, and handoff processes to reduce risk and rework. ? Ensure a consistent, world-class customer experience, driven by reliable delivery and execution excellence. Team Leadership & Development ? Build and lead a center of excellence for project management, establishing thought leadership and capability across the company. ? Hire, develop, and mentor project managers with strong foundational skills in planning, risk management, and execution. ? Drive adoption of disciplined project management practices through training, coaching, and performance management. ? Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement
Desired Skills and Experience
My client is looking for a person with a proven ability to build and lead complex, geographically dispersed project execution and installation organizations that depend on third-party contractors—and scale them profitably. Top candidates will bring three core strengths: project management leadership, third-party installation execution, and strategic business building. Ideally, they would like to find a person who understands the operational complexities of national installations, the economics of subcontractor-based execution, and the importance of developing project managers who are accountable for customer satisfaction and financial performance. Experience building out and overseeing a geographically dispersed project management organization and a field workforce that can reach approximately 2,000 associates would be preferred Critical Competencies and Skills: ? Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Project Management, Operations, or related field. MBA or advanced degree preferred. ? Ability to understand financial statements and drivers of improved profitability. ? 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in project management, PMO leadership, or operational execution roles. ? Proven success building or transforming a project management function or PMO in a multi-site or complex organization. ? Deep expertise in project management methodologies (e.g., PMI, Agile, hybrid models) and practical application in operational environments. ? Demonstrated ability to implement project governance, stage-gate processes, and performance management systems. ? Experience leading large-scale, installation-heavy or field-execution programs. ? Strong experience managing third-party partners and installer networks. ? Excellent leadership, communication, and data-driven decision-making skills. ? Ability to travel 25–50%. Success Measures ? Establishment of a scalable, standardized project management discipline adopted across all business units. ? Measurable improvement in on-time delivery, budget adherence, and project predictability. ? Reduced project variability and improved cross-functional alignment. ? High customer satisfaction driven by reliable project execution. ? Strong adoption of project management tools, processes, and KPIs. ? Development of a high-performing pipeline of project management talent. Personal Characteristics: ? Servant leadership type of approach with a calm and collaborative personality. ? Someone who is dedicated to the outcome with a high EQ is important. ? Ability to work effectively with all levels and roles in the organization. ? Willingness to be flexible and adapt as situations arise and priorities change. ? Ability to constructively push thinking and challenge the status quo.
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