Reconstruction Operations Manager
Paul Davis Restoration of Downriver Detroit
Position Summary
At Paul Davis Restoration of Downriver Detroit, we don’t just rebuild homes. We help people recover after some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
The Reconstruction Operations Manager is responsible for the overall performance of the reconstruction department and the successful execution of every reconstruction project from mitigation handoff through final homeowner walkthrough and execution of the Certificate of Satisfaction. This leader owns project execution, customer experience, estimating oversight, scheduling, budgeting, quality control, team development, subcontractor network relationships, and operational excellence while continuously improving the department.
This is a leadership role, not simply a project management position. We’re looking for someone who enjoys building systems, developing people, solving problems, and creating exceptional customer experiences.
The ideal candidate leads by example, makes sound decisions, communicates effectively, and isn’t afraid to step into the work when necessary to keep projects moving.
Areas of Responsibility
Department Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day operations of the reconstruction department.
- Own the successful completion of every reconstruction project from mitigation handoff through final completion.
- Establish and maintain department standards, accountability, and operational excellence.
- Continuously improve department systems, workflows, and overall performance.
- Build a department capable of delivering exceptional results at scale.
Operational Leadership
- Oversee multiple reconstruction projects simultaneously while maintaining quality, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
- Coordinate project schedules, material procurement, subcontractors, inspections, permits, and production timelines.
- Identify operational challenges early and proactively develop solutions.
- Collaborate closely with mitigation, contents, office staff, and company leadership to ensure seamless project transitions.
Project Management
- Ensure projects remain on schedule, within budget, and meet Paul Davis quality standards.
- Coordinate employees, subcontractors, suppliers, and specialty trades.
- Manage project timelines, customer selections, material availability, inspections, and final completion.
- Resolve field issues quickly while minimizing delays.
- Conduct final walkthroughs and ensure all punch-list items are completed before project closeout.
Customer Leadership
- Serve as the primary reconstruction leader for homeowners throughout the rebuilding process.
- Maintain proactive communication regarding schedules, expectations, upgrades, delays, and project progress.
- Build trust through professionalism, transparency, and responsiveness.
- Resolve customer concerns with empathy, confidence, and sound judgment.
- Deliver an outstanding customer experience from beginning to end.
Estimating & Financial Management
- Review reconstruction estimates for completeness, accuracy, and profitability.
- Prepare or modify estimates using Xactimate and/or Symbility as needed.
- Utilize DocuSketch and supporting documentation to develop accurate project scopes, prepare or review estimates, and provide complete documentation to the estimating team or insurance carriers as required.
- Prepare insurance supplements when additional work is identified.
- Develop homeowner self-pay estimates and change orders for upgrades, elective improvements, and non-covered work.
- Ensure estimate revisions are properly documented, communicated, and approved.
- Monitor project budgets, labor efficiency, subcontractor costs, material costs, and overall profitability.
- Identify opportunities to improve gross margins while maintaining exceptional customer service.
Trade & Vendor Management
- Coordinate and supervise subcontractors, vendors, and specialty trades.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with trade partners and suppliers.
- Develop and maintain a reliable network of skilled subcontractors capable of supporting current workload while positioning the company for future growth.
- Ensure subcontractors consistently meet Paul Davis quality, safety, and professionalism standards.
- Resolve scheduling conflicts and production challenges proactively.
Documentation & Quality Control
- Ensure complete, accurate, and timely project documentation.
- Maintain organized project files, photographs, job notes, permits, inspections, and customer approvals.
- Conduct quality inspections throughout each phase of construction.
- Ensure projects meet company standards before final completion.
Contents & Final Project Coordination
- Coordinate with the Contents team and trusted subcontractors to facilitate pack-outs, pack-backs, specialty cleaning, inventory management, and related services when needed.
- Coordinate post-reconstruction cleaning to ensure every project is delivered clean, complete, and move-in ready.
- Ensure all final details are completed before project closeout.
Team Leadership & Development
- Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, train, coach, develop, and retain exceptional reconstruction professionals as needed.
- Build and maintain a trusted network of high-quality subcontractors capable of delivering exceptional work while creating long-term referral and business relationships.
- Establish clear expectations and hold team members and subcontractors accountable.
- Mentor employees through regular coaching and performance feedback.
- Foster a positive, professional, and team-oriented culture built on accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.
Safety & Compliance
- Promote and enforce a culture of safety on every project.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements, applicable building codes, permit requirements, company policies, and industry best practices.
- Ensure employees and subcontractors maintain safe, organized job sites.
- Address safety concerns immediately and proactively.
Performance Metrics & Operational Excellence
- Monitor and improve key department performance metrics, including profitability, project cycle times, customer satisfaction, subcontractor performance, documentation quality, and overall department efficiency.
- Analyze operational data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Develop scalable systems that improve consistency, efficiency, and customer experience.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives throughout the department.
Technical Leadership
- Maintain the technical knowledge and practical skills necessary to effectively lead reconstruction projects.
- Be capable of stepping into project management, estimating, scheduling, documentation, field leadership, skilled trades, or technical problem-solving whenever operationally necessary.
- Maintain working knowledge of residential construction methods, Xactimate, Symbility, DocuSketch, restoration best practices, and applicable building codes.
- Lead through competence by understanding the work well enough to earn the confidence of employees, customers, and trade partners.
Emergency Response & Leadership Support
- Participate in the company’s rotating leadership on-call schedule, including some after-hours, holiday, and weekend responsibilities.
- Provide leadership and operational decision-making during emergency situations as needed.
- Demonstrate flexibility to support commercial projects, emergency situations, weather events, or business needs outside normal working hours.
- Collaborate with fellow Operations Managers and company leadership to ensure exceptional customer service and business continuity.
Brand Representation
- Represent Paul Davis Restoration with professionalism, integrity, and pride.
- Protect and strengthen the Paul Davis brand through exceptional leadership and customer service.
- Build lasting relationships with homeowners, insurance professionals, vendors, subcontractors, and community partners.
- Serve as a positive ambassador for the company both on and off the job site.
- Help grow the reputation of Paul Davis Restoration of Downriver Detroit through operational excellence and outstanding customer experiences.
What It Takes to Succeed
Successful candidates are:
- Strong leaders who naturally take ownership.
- Excellent communicators who build trust with customers and employees.
- Organized and capable of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Calm under pressure and skilled at solving problems.
- Financially minded, understanding that operational excellence includes profitability.
- Comfortable making decisions while remaining collaborative.
- Committed to continuous improvement.
- Willing to step into the work when needed to support the team and keep projects moving.
- Passionate about building an exceptional department rather than simply maintaining one.
Minimum Qualifications
- Five or more years of experience in residential construction, insurance restoration, or related project management.
- Proven leadership experience managing employees, subcontractors, or construction teams.
- Strong understanding of residential construction methods and project scheduling.
- Experience reviewing or preparing estimates using Xactimate and/or Symbility preferred.
- Experience with DocuSketch or similar documentation technology preferred.
- Michigan Residential Builder’s License preferred. Candidates who do not currently hold a license must be willing to obtain one. Paul Davis Restoration of Downriver Detroit is willing to sponsor the licensing process for the right candidate.
- Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
- Ability to successfully pass background screening and any other pre-employment requirements.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation: $70,000-$85,000 annually, based on experience, leadership ability, technical expertise, certifications, and demonstrated operational success. Performance incentives and long-term growth opportunities are available for the right candidate.
Benefits include:
- Company-issued cell phone
- Company vehicle for business use or mileage reimbursement when using a personal vehicle for company business
- Health insurance
- Dental and vision insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ongoing professional development, training, and certification opportunities
- Company support for obtaining a Michigan Residential Builder’s License for qualified candidates
Success Looks Like
Success in this role isn’t measured solely by completed projects. It’s measured by the strength of the department you build.
Successful Reconstruction Operations Managers create highly satisfied customers, develop exceptional employees, maintain profitable projects, improve operational systems, strengthen the Paul Davis brand, and consistently deliver quality work on time and on budget.
If you’re looking for a position where you can truly lead, make meaningful decisions, and help build something exceptional, we’d love to hear from you.
Since 1966, Paul Davis has been an industry leader in the areas of property damage mitigation, reconstruction and remodeling. With more than 370 offices in our franchise network, the company serves residential, institutional, and commercial customers and clients across the United States and Canada.
We have built our heritage one project at a time, establishing a reputation for performance, integrity and responsibility among customers and carriers alike. Whether property damage is caused by water, fire, smoke, storms or other disasters, we deliver on our promise to deliver excellence, expertise and a customer experience that is second to none. At Paul Davis, our passion for quality drives everything we do.
Our Vision:
To Provide Extraordinary Care While Serving People In Their Time Of Need.
Our Values:
Deliver What You Promise
Respect The Individual
Have Pride In What You Do
Practice Continuous Improvement
Our Mission:
To provide opportunities for great people to deliver Best in Class results