Local Service Director

At Gardner, we believe commercial construction should feel as welcoming as it is professional. That’s why we don’t just build and remodel, we build relationships, rooted in hospitality. Our mission is to set the platinum standard for our clients, partners, and team members by delivering exceptional results while embodying our core values: passion, humility, excellence, empathy, and nimbleness. We bring a hospitality-driven approach to every project, ensuring that every interaction is thoughtful, responsive, and human-centered.

Who You Are

You are a relationship builder, a strategic thinker, and someone who thrives in fast-moving, client-centered environments. You bring a hunter mentality for identifying new opportunities and a genuine commitment to building long-term relationships. You balance confidence with humility and communicate with clarity and care.

You enjoy mentoring others and creating an environment where people grow. You bring a steady leadership presence, a passion for continuous improvement, and the ability to guide teams toward strong outcomes. You take ownership, move quickly, think strategically, and always follow through.

You are energized by the idea of leading a service team where business development, client experience, and operational excellence work hand in hand, and you naturally embed Gardner’s core values and hospitality philosophy into how you show up, how you make decisions, and how you support your team and clients.

How You’ll Contribute

Business Development and Client Growth

• Build and nurture strong client relationships across existing accounts and new opportunities.


• Actively pursue work with a hunter mentality and ensure Gardner is top of mind for service needs.


• Represent Gardner by responding immediately to needs, resolving escalations, and ensuring long term satisfaction.


• Network with trade partners, technicians, and industry peers to grow Gardner’s presence in the service market.


• Prepare timely, accurate, compelling proposals and estimates that reflect Gardner’s brand standards.


• Monitor industry trends and identify opportunities to expand service offerings.


• Partner with internal leaders to build confidence and capability in business development across the team.


• Track opportunities, manage disciplined follow-up, and hit defined growth targets.

Leadership and Operational Strategy

• Recruit, develop, and retain a best-in-class Service Technician workforce. Create career paths that encourage long-term growth and engagement.


• Mentor Service Project Managers and hold teams accountable for safety, quality, service, and productivity.


• Implement workforce planning strategies to match technician strengths with client needs.


• Build and refine playbooks, SOPs, and systems that scale operations while preserving Gardner’s hospitality philosophy.


• Lead monthly WIP reviews to manage workload, resources, forecasting, and accountability.


• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement through clear expectations and consistent feedback.


• Own local divisional P and L performance, budgets, and cost controls.


• Analyze financial reports and adjust operations to meet profitability goals.


• Support escalated project needs when senior leadership involvement is required.


• Identify operational gaps, risks, and inefficiencies and implement corrective actions.


• Partner with senior leaders to ensure Service priorities align with Gardner’s broader growth strategies.

What You’ll Bring

• 10 or more years of experience in the construction industry, with at least 5 years in a service, project management, operations, or business development leadership role.


• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or a related field, or equivalent years of experience.


• Demonstrated experience leading divisional growth or expanding market capabilities.

• Strong knowledge of estimating principles, unit costs, productivity rates, takeoffs, and bid strategy, with the ability to evaluate and challenge assumptions in estimates across multiple trades.


• Familiarity with project delivery methods and how service scopes integrate from preconstruction through closeout.

• Strong business development acumen with a hunter mentality, comfort initiating new relationships, and the ability to lead teams through change while maintaining morale and performance.


• Ability to interpret P&L reports, manage budgets, and apply job cost reporting, labor controls, risk management principles, and contractual requirements to guide sound decisions.


• Working knowledge of OSHA standards, company safety programs, insurance and liability considerations, and jobsite compliance across various jurisdictions.


• Proficiency in Procore, Microsoft Excel, and reporting tools for analysis, forecasting, and data-informed decision-making.


• Ability to set long-term goals, develop organizational strategies, scale operations, and build systems that support sustainable growth.


• Skilled in coaching leaders, building high-performing teams, fostering accountability, and intervening early when performance or culture indicators suggest risk.


• Ability to oversee multiple concurrent projects and teams while ensuring consistent safety, quality, schedule, and productivity performance.


• A leadership style that aligns with Gardner’s core values and hospitality-driven approach.


• Ability to maintain a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record.

What Will Set You Apart

• Proven track record of standing up or significantly scaling a service division or similar business unit.


• Experience building and mentoring a technician-focused workforce with strong retention and advancement outcomes.


• Demonstrated success in building deep, long-term client relationships in a service or maintenance environment.


• Experience working within or alongside a decentralized operational model.


• OSHA 10 Certification.

Why Join Gardner Builders?

We are proud to be recognized as:

• 7-Time “Best Places to Work” by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal


• 6-Time “Top 150 Workplaces” by Minneapolis Star Tribune


• #1 Top Workplace in Construction by Star Tribune (2023)


• 4-Time “Best Workplace” by Inc Magazine


• “Best Places to Work” by Milwaukee Business Journal

Our culture-first approach encourages personal and professional growth, an EOS-led structure, and a commitment to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, challenged, and loves coming to work.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual Salary: $130,000 -$165,000 (paid weekly) + discretionary bonus.


• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, HSA with employer contribution, and 401(k) plan with employer contribution.


• Ancillary Benefits: Company-paid basic life & AD&D insurance, company-paid long-term disability, company-paid employee assistance program, accident insurance, and critical illness insurance.


• Perks: Paid parking or public transportation costs, company-provided phone, and laptop.


• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sabbatical leave, paid bereavement leave, paid parental leave, free onsite fitness facility, and regular company and team outings.

Interview Process

Our process typically includes three conversations (phone and in-person) to ensure a mutual fit.

Pre-Employment Screening

Drug screen and background check required.

Other Items to Note 

• Gardner reserves the right to hire any individual without legal or financial obligation for unwanted solicitations. No agency emails, calls, or solicitations are accepted without a valid agreement. 


• Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. 

• We are only considering local candidates at this time. We are unable to provide relocation assistance at this time. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This is an in-person position, located at our office downtown Minneapolis, with most of your time spent in an office setting, collaborating with teammates, and working on a computer. You’ll also visit active jobsites to stay connected with the work in the field.  That may include walking on uneven ground, being outdoors in changing weather, or stepping into areas with dust or noise.  You’ll also travel to client sites, conferences, and other business meetings. The role involves typical office activities such as typing, writing, and sitting for stretches of time during meetings or travel. Occasionally, you may need to move light materials or equipment (up to about 20 pounds). We are committed to supporting individuals with disabilities and can provide reasonable accommodations to help you perform at your best.