Redda Group has been retained by a high-growth general contracting and real estate development firm based in the DC/MD area, currently generates $20 million in revenue and holds an equity base of $50 million. The Company is pursuing an ambitious growth trajectory to reach $500 million in annual revenue and $1 billion in equity by 2030. The COO will play a pivotal role in scaling operations, executing strategic acquisitions, and expanding footprint into new national markets. This role combines operational leadership with M&A and integration expertise, ensuring the company achieves its vision while maintaining operational excellence and strategic focus.
Position Summary:
The COO will oversee day-to-day operations, drive the Company’s expansion strategy, and lead M&A initiatives to facilitate national growth. This role requires a visionary leader with a blend of strategic, operational, and financial acumen to guide rapid scaling. Reporting to the CEO, the COO will be integral in building a high-performance culture, establishing scalable systems, and aligning resources with goals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Strategic Growth and National Expansion Growth Strategy Execution: Drive path from $20 million to $500 million in revenue by 2030, ensuring alignment with the Company's vision, market opportunities, and operational readiness.
- National Market Expansion: Identify and prioritize strategic markets outside the DC/MD area, developing expansion plans for key regions, and assessing regional market conditions and competitor landscapes.
- Collaboration with Leadership: Work closely with the CEO and Board to refine 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year strategic goals, integrating expansion and acquisition targets into the Company’s growth roadmap.
- Financial and Equity Goals: Strategize with the executive team to increase equity to $1 billion by 2030, optimizing capital investments, partnerships, and asset acquisitions.
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and Strategic Partnerships Target Identification and Pipeline Development: Identify acquisition opportunities in real estate development and general contracting to strengthen national presence and build a robust M&A pipeline.
- Due Diligence and Risk Management: Lead comprehensive due diligence on acquisition targets, evaluating financial, operational, cultural, and strategic fit, and assessing potential risks to mitigate integration challenges.
- Deal Structuring and Negotiations: Negotiate deal terms and structure acquisitions that align with financial goals, scalability objectives, and long-term vision.
- Post-Acquisition Integration: Oversee the seamless integration of acquired companies, aligning systems, culture, and processes to standards, and maximizing synergies for operational efficiency.
- Partnership Development: Establish and nurture relationships with potential partners, investors, and industry stakeholders to facilitate expansion and support acquisition strategies.
- Operational Excellence and Scalability Build Operational Infrastructure: Develop scalable SOPs, performance metrics, and reporting standards that support the consistent growth of operations across multiple regions.
- Resource Allocation and Optimization: Allocate resources strategically across expanding operations, balancing project staffing, technology needs, and budget constraints to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Process Standardization: Create a robust framework for cross-regional operations, ensuring cohesive practices across project sites and office locations while accommodating local market dynamics.
- Cost and Efficiency Management: Lead initiatives to improve profit margins and operational efficiency, streamlining workflows, optimizing resource allocation, and enhancing cost control practices across growing footprint.
- High-Performance Leadership and Team Development Inspire a High-Performance Culture: Cultivate a high-performance culture across all teams, setting clear roles, performance metrics, and encouraging accountability, innovation, and collaboration.
- Talent Acquisition and Retention: Drive recruitment and retention of top talent, focusing on building diverse teams to support expansion and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Leadership Development and Succession Planning: Establish leadership development programs and succession planning to identify, mentor, and retain future leaders, ensuring sustainable growth and continuity across teams.
- Staff Performance Management: Implement structured performance review processes and development plans for senior team members, aligning individual goals with Company objectives.
- Financial Management and Capital Strategy Budgeting and Financial Oversight: Partner with the CFO to create financial plans, forecast budgets, and manage financial performance against growth targets, ensuring alignment with operational needs and expansion plans.
- Capital Management for Acquisitions: Develop financing strategies for acquisitions, utilizing a combination of equity, debt, and strategic partnerships to optimize capital efficiency and minimize risk.
- Revenue Diversification: Assess opportunities to diversify revenue streams, such as launching new services or entering adjacent markets, balancing profitability with alignment to core business.
- Financial Performance Monitoring: Oversee financial reporting and performance analysis to track progress against budget, revenue, and equity targets, ensuring accountability and transparency.
- Technology and Innovation Integration Technology-Driven Operations: Implement advanced technology solutions, such as project management software and data analytics, to improve efficiency and accuracy across operations.
- Standardized IT Systems: Ensure seamless integration of IT and digital solutions across all acquired companies, maintaining consistency and enhancing decision-making capabilities.
- Adoption of Construction Innovations: Stay updated on industry advancements in construction technology, such as modular construction and sustainable building practices, assessing their value for adoption at Banneker.
- Risk Management and Compliance Risk Mitigation and Management: Identify and mitigate risks associated with acquisitions, market expansion, and project execution, developing proactive strategies for resilience and business continuity.
- Insurance and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all acquired and expanding operations meet regulatory standards and maintain adequate insurance coverage to minimize liabilities.
- Crisis Management and Preparedness: Develop crisis response and continuity plans, equipping Banneker to handle unforeseen events with resilience and agility.
- Brand Development and Marketing Strategic Marketing Oversight: Direct marketing and brand initiatives, including digital campaigns, public relations, and regional market strategies, to establish presence in new markets.
- Unified Brand Standards: Ensure consistent messaging across all regions and acquired entities, reinforcing commitment to quality, innovation, and community impact.
- Market Awareness: Drive brand-building efforts in target regions to position Banneker as a top-tier player in real estate development and general contracting on a national scale.
- Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Standards Community Engagement: Champion commitment to social responsibility, leading community initiatives, sustainability programs, and philanthropic efforts in each region.
- Ethics and Compliance: Develop and uphold a code of ethics, ensuring all business practices align with regulatory standards and community values.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Integrate sustainable construction practices across operations, aligning with goals for environmental responsibility.
- Succession Planning and Long-Term Leadership Development Future-Ready Talent Pipeline: Develop a structured succession plan for key roles, preparing Banneker for long-term growth with continuity in leadership across all business areas.
- Mentorship Programs: Implement mentorship and development programs, fostering a culture of learning and internal mobility to build and retain talent.
- Knowledge Transfer and Institutional Knowledge: Ensure knowledge retention across teams, developing a framework for sharing expertise and best practices across locations and acquired companies.
Requirements:
- 10+ years of experience in senior operational and/or M&A leadership roles, ideally within the construction or real estate development sectors.
- Proven success in scaling businesses, executing M&A initiatives, and integrating acquired entities within high-growth environments.
- Strong background in strategic planning, capital management, and financial oversight, with a focus on profitable growth and expansion.
- Demonstrated ability to build cohesive teams across multiple regions and create a unified culture within a diverse, rapidly growing organization.
- Exceptional negotiation, strategic thinking, and communication skills, with experience building partnerships and securing favorable acquisition terms.