GM/Operations Manager – High-End Trades Services
Location: Vail Valley, CO (On-site)
Compensation: $150K–$180K base + bonus potential ($180K–$260K OTE) + relocation
Reports to: President (dotted line to VP of Operations, National Platform)
Type: Full-time | First-in-Seat | High-Visibility Succession Role
Sector: Private Equity–Backed Skilled Trades (HVAC, Plumbing, Drains)

About The Company

This organization is a fast-growing, private equity–backed national platform in the skilled trades, focused on building premier regional providers through technician empowerment and next-generation technology. Their Vail Valley business is the dominant name in ultra-high-end HVAC, plumbing, and drain services for elite residential clients and luxury commercial properties.

With $20M+ in annual revenue, this location is the market leader in one of the country’s most affluent and technically demanding regions. Clients include luxury hotels and homeowners with $25M+ second homes — and they expect white-glove service every time. Backed by a forward-leaning national team, the business is poised to scale smartly into adjacent markets and services.

The Opportunity

This is a first-in-seat operational leadership role designed to professionalize and scale one of the most technically capable teams in the U.S. The current president is transitioning out post-acquisition, and this role is the clear successor path.

You’ll be the organizational glue — translating vision into systems, financials into field performance, and frontline expertise into scalable outcomes.

What You’ll Do

Operational Leadership

• Direct and develop 5–9 department managers across HVAC, plumbing, and drain services

• Build systems to track and drive daily KPIs, field efficiency, and technician performance

• Own the site’s P&L and partner with the accounting team on budget, reporting, and forecasting

• Oversee recruiting, hiring, and performance management across all departments

People, Process & Culture

• Serve as the cultural and operational “bridge” between the field and back office

• Bring structure and accountability to a team of highly skilled, field-grown managers

• Lead with charisma, grit, and the ability to command respect from both tradespeople and executives

• Reinforce the company’s position as the community’s top employer and service provider

Client Experience & Sales Process

• Interface with property managers and high-net-worth clients to uphold premium service standards

• Drive adoption of “good-better-best” selling and option-based service models

• Help the team shift from gold-or-bust jobs to a more complete, pipeline-driven sales strategy

Growth & Expansion

• Support strategic expansion into neighboring regions and future service line additions (e.g., electrical)

• Identify sales opportunities across both luxury residential and commercial clients

• Collaborate with the national team on data, systems, and technician upskilling through an in-house training institute

You’d Be a Great Fit If You Have:

• 7–15 years of operational leadership experience, ideally in service businesses or trades

• Comfort owning P&Ls, KPIs, and team performance in a $20M+ environment

• Strong leadership presence — you can inspire a team and hold the line when needed

• Organizational chops: structure, systems, process, delegation, and follow-through

• Excellent interpersonal skills — you can win over luxury clients and tradespeople alike

• Willingness to live in (or commute to) the Vail Valley full-time

Bonus Points For:

• Military background (officer or senior NCO) + MBA or business training

• Prior experience in HVAC, plumbing, or specialty trades management

• Understanding of high-end residential or resort-driven client bases

• Exposure to private equity-backed environments

• Experience using ServiceTitan or equivalent field service software

Perks & Benefits

• Relocation assistance ($25K–$30K) + 2BR temporary apartment for transition

• 100% employer-paid medical (including family options), dental, vision

• 401(k) with 3.5% match

• Company truck + all tech tools provided

• Hands-on onboarding with a 6-week GM ramp-up program

• Real leadership runway: be the GM and eventual president of a flagship business

MilSpec Talent is a boutique headhunting firm that helps our clients get connected with top talent in the industry. We work with mid-career, industry-experienced Veterans with 3-15 years of proven success in the private sector. For our contingency recruitment partners, we provide this value with minimal risk.