Senior Director of Disaster Operations at AC Disaster… · Portland

AC Disaster Consulting (ACDC) offers full-spectrum emergency management services to public and private clients. Our experienced professionals have been a part of the growth and modernization of emergency management for nearly 30 years, proudly supporting programs for some of the most challenging natural disasters and catastrophic events under our mission of staying competent, caring, and connected.

MISSION

Driven by compassion. Defined by expertise. Strengthened by collaboration. We empower communities to improve disaster outcomes and build lasting resilience.

VISION

In the true spirit of emergency management – ACDC seeks to solve crises, both for the communities and individuals affected by disasters as well as for the clients we serve. Our team brings a whole community approach, compassionate guidance and decades of hands-on experience to best embody our core values: competent, caring, and connected.

The position will be guided by ACDC’s Corporate Values Platform in all activities.

Position Summary:

• Job Title: Senior Director of Disaster Operations

• Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

• Temporary/Seasonal/Regular: Regular

• Hourly/Salary: Salary

• Exempt/Non-exempt: Exempt

• Compensation: $144-166k/annual

• Benefits Summary

  • Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
  • Short-Term Disability/Voluntary Long-Term Disability
  • 401(k) Account with Company Match
  • Paid-Time Off (PTO): Annual Leave and Sick Leave Accruals
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Training and Professional Development Opportunities
  • Wellness Benefits/Allowance
  • Corporate Computer
  • Time off to Volunteer
  • Cell Phone Allowance

Mission of Role/Position Summary:

The Senior Director of Disaster Operations provides executive leadership for all Response, Debris Management, and Logistics operations across AC Disaster Consulting (ACDC). This role is responsible for leading, integrating, and advancing disaster response, logistics, and debris management services for public, private, and non-profit sector clients nationwide. The Senior Director serves as a subject matter expert, strategic leader, and trusted advisor, ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, client satisfaction, and sustainable growth. All activities are guided by ACDC’s Corporate Values Platform.

Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

• Lead overall operational strategy for the division. Establish policies, frameworks, and performance standards for disaster operations. Drive innovation and continuous improvement in operational processes. Ensure alignment of operations with organizational goals and client expectations.
• Provide executive oversight for division projects, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic direction and client satisfaction goals. Directly manage senior project leaders and oversee performance across multiple teams. Develop and implement operational and business strategies, ensuring consistent delivery excellence and profitability. Lead organizational initiatives to improve processes, expand client relationships, and enhance staff capabilities. Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement across all levels of consultants.
• Lead high-level division, client, and stakeholder meetings to ensure strategic objectives and business goals are clearly communicated and achieved. Represent the division in key client meetings, industry events, and public engagements. Oversee communication strategies for large-scale initiatives, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment across all levels of the organization. Mentor senior staff in effective communication, presentation, and client engagement.
• Direct and oversee the division’s business development strategy, ensuring sustainable growth and diversification of the client portfolio. Lead capture planning, proposal strategy, and negotiations for major pursuits. Establish and maintain executive-level relationships with key clients, teaming partners, and decision-makers. Provide strategic oversight to ensure alignment of business development activities with corporate priorities and market trends. Represent the organization at the national level in conferences, industry associations, and public forums. Mentor senior and managing consultants in business development and relationship management best practices.
• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction for the organization’s training and exercise programs. Ensure all training aligns with company goals, contractual requirements, and national emergency management frameworks (e.g., NIMS, ICS, FEMA). Lead collaboration with clients, government partners, and professional associations to develop innovative training solutions. Oversee the creation and implementation of training standards, evaluation metrics, and certification processes. Mentor senior staff in training design, facilitation, and assessment to ensure consistent quality and client satisfaction.
• Make high-level strategic decisions that guide organizational priorities, client relationships, and overall business direction. Balance competing operational, financial, and programmatic priorities across multiple projects, teams, and regions. Provide final approval on resource allocation, project execution strategies, and major business initiatives. Ensure alignment between organizational objectives, client commitments, and emergency management best practices. Mentor senior staff in effective decision-making and prioritization under pressure. Represent the organization in critical decision-making meetings with clients, government agencies, and partners.
• Lead compliance strategy for the division, ensuring alignment with state and federal regulations. Establish and enforce standards for Emergency Management practices. Champion continuous learning and credentialing programs for all staff. Serve as a recognized authority in multiple specialized areas.
• Define and lead the division’s strategic growth in support of corporate strategic goals. Establish long-term goals and ensure alignment with corporate objectives. Drive innovation in service offerings and lead high-impact business development initiatives.
• Provide visionary leadership for the division. Set strategic priorities, allocate resources, and ensure organizational alignment. Champion leadership development initiatives and foster a culture of accountability and innovation.
• Support or co-lead relief efforts or assist with organizing responses to support emergency situations and/or disaster activations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Division/Department Specific Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Provide executive oversight for all disaster response, debris management, and logistics operations, including field deployments, logistics, debris monitoring, and financial oversight.
• Establish and maintain operational strategies, policies, frameworks, and performance standards across Response and Debris Management functions.
• Oversee complex, multi-disciplinary emergency management projects and ensure alignment with client objectives, contractual requirements, and industry best practices.
• Ensure effective integration and handoff between Response, Recovery, and Debris Management operations.
• Serve in advanced leadership roles during disaster activations, including field deployment as needed.

Debris Management, Logistics, & Response Oversight

• Lead all aspects of debris operations, including technical oversight, monitoring, documentation, compliance, and financial reconciliation.
• Maintain expert-level understanding of federal, state, and local debris policies and guidance (including FEMA and state-specific requirements).
• Assist clients with disaster response actions such as evacuations, sheltering, logistics coordination, debris operations, and special needs programs.
• Analyze, review, and report on complex operational and financial data related to response and debris projects.
• Support development and implementation of emergency response and debris management plans, procedures, and protocols.

People & Division Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop senior leaders, project managers, and consulting teams within Disaster Operations.
• Build scalable teams capable of supporting complex, simultaneous disaster operations nationwide.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, ethical leadership, and continuous improvement.
• Set expectations, evaluate performance, and support professional development and credentialing initiatives.

Business Development & Growth

• Provide executive support and leadership for business development, capture planning, and proposal strategy related to response and debris management.
• Establish and maintain executive-level client relationships and strategic partnerships.
• Support development of divisional growth strategies, capabilities statements, and marketing materials.
• Represent ACDC at industry events, conferences, and client engagements as a recognized leader in disaster operations.

Strategy, Compliance & Governance

• Lead operational compliance with applicable state and federal emergency management regulations.
• Contribute to corporate policies related to training, credentialing, safety, and business continuity.
• Support ACDC’s Business Continuity Plan, including essential services and succession planning.
• Participate in organizational decision-making related to resources, priorities, and long-term growth strategies.

Training, Preparedness & Professional Excellence

• Provide executive oversight for response and debris-related training initiatives, including ICS, NIMS, and preparedness programs.
• Serve as senior advisor on emergency management standards, innovation, and best practices.
• Pursue and maintain relevant professional certifications and continuing education.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong ethical leadership abilities.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Strong people and customer service skills.

• Strategic thinking skills and ability to turn strategy into action.

• Outstanding organizational skills.

• Detail-oriented.

• Financially minded.

• Excellent problem-solving skills.

• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 or similar platforms.

• The ability to engage with personnel at all levels of employment.

• Strong planning skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaborate with a team.

• Possess an elevated level of professionalism.

• Senior-level client engagement.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• The Senior Director, Response has direct supervisory responsibility for senior portfolio staff (Deputy Directors, Managing Consultants, Senior Consultants, etc.) as outlined in the company organization chart.

Expected Hours of Work:

Schedule may vary. Work on evenings and weekends may be required. Dependability and punctuality are paramount.

Travel Requirements:

• Up to 75% travel is expected for this position.
• Must be willing to travel and deploy to client sites for extended periods of time.

Physical Demands:

• Mobility required on-site with clients.
• Sitting or standing for hours at a time.
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time if needed.
• Ability to manipulate up to 25 lbs. repetitively throughout the day and as needed.

Working Environment:

• Emergency management personnel may work in an office or home environment or be deployed to the field which may require working outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
• Work may be on-site with clients ex: EOC, hospital, debris sites or local government buildings.
• All AC Disaster Consulting (ACDC) positions are remote work site positions with the home location agreed upon at time of hire.
• If the remote work site locations change, ACDC Human Resources must be made aware, and leadership needs to approve any site changes for business registration and payroll tax purposes.

Required Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public safety, or a closely related field. Equivalency: Professional experience beyond minimum requirements, in a related field may substitute the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.
• 10+ years of advanced experience in emergency management, including Response and Debris Management
• 5-7+ years’ leadership experience including leading complex portions of disaster response projects teams/tasks, program management or full scope debris projects/programs
• Demonstrated working knowledge of full scope Emergency Management protocols and familiarity with state and local plans, agencies, and funding sources.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel

Preferred Experience and Education

• Master’s degree in emergency management or related field

• Applicable Certifications:

  • Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent

• Business development experience and proposal leadership experience

• Industry-specific debris management certifications

Additional Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must pass background check upon offer of employment.
• Eligibility to work in the United States is required.

Regular status positions will receive these benefits:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Short-Term Disability/Voluntary Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) Account with Company Match
• Paid-Time Off (PTO): Annual Leave and Sick Leave Accruals
• Paid Parental Leave
• Training and Professional Development Opportunities
• Corporate Computer
• Time off to Volunteer
• Cell Phone Allowance

EEO Statement

AC Disaster Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. AC Disaster Consulting will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any protected characteristic.

Please redact or remove information that identifies applicant's age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at (or graduation from) an educational institution from the resume or other application documents prior to submitting the application.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting AC Disaster Consulting Human Resources team at hr@acdisaster.com.

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