Coast Sign is a nationwide signage manufacturer specializing in large-scale, high-impact branding solutions for enterprise clients. The company produces signage for major brands across banking and quick-service restaurant sectors, including national rollouts and multi-site conversion projects.
Operating out of a centralized manufacturing facility in Anaheim, CA, Coast Sign manages the full lifecycle of signage programs—from production through installation—requiring tight coordination between sales, estimating, project management, and manufacturing teams.
The Senior Director, Project Management is a critical executive leadership role responsible for stabilizing, scaling, and optimizing Coast Sign’s project management function.
This individual will focus heavily on process development, operational structure, and team accountability, transforming a reactive, “firefighting” environment into a proactive, scalable project delivery engine.
The role will oversee a newly implemented pod-based team structure, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and serve as the escalation point for client and operational challenges.
This is an on-site leadership role requiring close collaboration with manufacturing, operations, and executive leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the project management organization, including:
- Director of Project Management (direct report)
- Team Leads overseeing pod-based PM teams
- Drive accountability across all levels of the organization
- Coach and mentor leaders on performance management and team development
- Partner with HR to enhance training, onboarding, and employee development programs
- Assess current workflows and identify breakdowns across the project lifecycle
- Design and implement standardized processes to reduce inefficiencies and recurring issues (“fires”)
- Establish clear SOPs, workflows, and accountability frameworks
- Introduce and drive continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, etc.)
- Improve cross-functional coordination between project management, estimating, sales, and manufacturing
- Oversee execution of complex, multi-site signage projects across enterprise clients
- Ensure alignment on timelines, budgets, and deliverables
- Identify risks early and implement mitigation strategies
- Improve predictability and consistency in project delivery
- Act as the senior escalation point for key client issues
- Guide team on navigating difficult client conversations (timelines, delays, scope changes)
- Ensure high standards of customer service and client communication
- Balance operational constraints with client expectations
- Analyze recurring issues and implement systemic fixes
- Partner with executive leadership (CEO, CFO, VP of Operations, Chief Transformation Officer) on organizational improvements
- Support long-term scalability as the company grows
Ideal Candidate Profile Required Experience
- 10+ years of experience in project/program management leadership
- Experience in signage, general construction, or manufacturing environments
- Proven success managing and scaling project management teams
- Experience working in high-volume, multi-project environments
- Strong understanding of permitting, production, and installation workflows
- PMP certification
- Lean Six Sigma / 5S or similar continuous improvement background
- Experience implementing operational structure in a previously unstructured environment
- Military or similarly disciplined leadership background (process-driven, accountability-focused)
Core Competencies
- Process Builder: Able to create structure where it doesn’t exist
- Operational Thinker: Identifies root causes, not just symptoms
- Accountability Leader: Comfortable holding teams to high standards
- Client-Focused: Balances service excellence with operational realities
- Change Agent: Drives adoption of new processes and ways of working
What Success Looks Like
- Significant reduction in recurring project issues and escalations
- Clearly defined, repeatable project management processes
- Improved cross-functional coordination and communication
- Strong leadership bench across Director and Team Lead levels
- Transition from reactive execution to proactive, scalable operations
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