Regional Director of Operations

Reports to: COO Location: Remote (U.S.) — travel up to 50% Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

Introduction Guardian Fire Services is building one of the country’s leading platforms for fire protection and life safety. Since 2022 we have brought more than a dozen owner-operated businesses into the Guardian family, giving each the resources and stability of a national organization while preserving the local identity and legacy their founders spent decades building. Backed by Investcorp and headquartered in Nashville, we are in the early innings of a national buy-and-build strategy in a large, highly fragmented, compliance-driven industry.

Guardian Fire Services is building one of the nation's leading fire protection and life safety organizations. As we continue to grow organically and through acquisition, we are seeking an experienced Regional Director of Operations to lead and support multiple businesses across a multi-state region. This is a hands-on operating leadership role responsible for helping Division Presidents and General Managers grow their businesses, improve profitability, develop their teams, and deliver exceptional service to our customers.

What You'll Do

• Lead and support multiple branches/business units across a multi-state region
• Drive P&L performance, including revenue, gross margin, EBITDA, productivity, and working capital
• Partner with local leaders to improve operations, sales, customer service, and organic growth
• Coach and develop Division Presidents, General Managers, and operational leaders
• Identify and help turn around underperforming branches and business units
• Establish meaningful KPIs, operating disciplines, and accountability
• Support acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition integration
• Help newly acquired businesses successfully adopt Guardian's systems, processes, technology, and operating best practices
• Preserve the strengths, customer relationships, and entrepreneurial spirit of our local businesses while helping them scale
• Champion a strong culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of progressive multi-site operations leadership
• Strong experience managing and improving P&Ls
• Proven success leading General Managers, Branch Managers, or business-unit leaders
• Experience in field services, specialty contracting, fire/life safety, mechanical, electrical, industrial services, equipment services, or a similar environment
• Demonstrated ability to grow businesses and improve underperforming operations
• Strong leadership, financial, customer service, and problem-solving skills
• Experience with M&A and operational/system integration strongly preferred
• Fire protection/life safety experience is preferred, but great multi-site operators from comparable industries are encouraged to apply
• Ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned region

The Leader We're Looking For

We're looking for a field-oriented operator, not a corporate spectator — someone who can walk into a branch, build credibility with the team, understand the business, identify opportunities, and help local leadership turn those opportunities into results.

If you've successfully led multiple locations, grown revenue, improved profitability, developed strong leaders, and helped businesses navigate change, we'd like to talk with you.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At Guardian Fire Services, we value innovation and collaboration. Here’s what we offer:

• Competitive Pay: $$$ based on experience
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Future Savings: A 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for leadership and career advancement.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous PTO and paid holidays.

We Value All Experiences

We understand that no candidate is perfectly qualified for any job. Experience comes in different forms; many skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. Even more important than your resume is a clear demonstration of dedication, impact, and the ability to thrive in a fluid and collaborative environment. We want you to learn new things in this role and encourage you to apply if your experience is close to what we’re looking for.

We also know that diversity of background and thought makes for better problem-solving and more creative thinking, so we’re dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team.

Our Commitment to Diversity

Guardian Fire Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Guardian Fire Services is committed to an inclusive experience for all applicants and will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations in the interview process, to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to take the lead in shaping HR systems and processes in a growing company, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to join Guardian Fire Services and make an impact!