A commercial roofing chief operating officer runs the crews, project managers, safety program and quality checks across every roof the company has underway. They set how each roof system is installed, keep tear-offs legal and safe, and see that jobs finish on schedule and pass the manufacturer's inspection.
By the HireBus team · Updated · Pay data: BLS, May 2025
Median pay, specialty trade contractors · BLS, May 2025
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Commercial Roofing plays a critical role in overseeing large-scale roofing operations, driving process improvements, and ensuring adherence to all regulatory and safety standards. This executive position partners with key stakeholders to streamline operations and deliver exceptional service quality, contributing directly to the company’s growth and reputation in the industry.
2. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Oversee all commercial roofing operations ensuring high-quality execution and safety compliance.
Lead initiatives to improve process efficiency and drive operational excellence across multiple projects.
Ensure strict adherence to industry regulations, safety protocols, and quality standards.
Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to develop strategic goals and monitor overall performance.
3. Key Tasks / Daily Activities
Monitor daily roofing operations and evaluate project progress for timely completion.
Conduct regular site visits to assess work quality, safety practices, and operational challenges.
Review project budgets, timelines, and resource allocation to ensure efficiency.
Engage with vendors, contractors, and regulatory agencies to resolve issues and maintain strong working relationships.
4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Revenue Growth: Achieve a minimum of 10% year-over-year revenue increase.
Project Completion Rate: Attain 95% or greater of projects completed on time and within budget.
Safety Compliance: Maintain a 0% workplace accident rate.
Customer Satisfaction Rating: Secure a rating of 4.8 stars or above on post-project evaluations.
5. Required Qualifications and Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Construction Management, or a related field.
Minimum of 8 years of experience in operations management within the construction or roofing industry.
Strong leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities.
Proficiency in project management software and operational analytics.
6. Preferred Experience
Demonstrated experience in commercial roofing or managing large-scale construction projects.
Familiarity with process improvement initiatives and Lean methodologies.
Proven track record of managing multi-site operations in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of building codes, roofing materials, and industry compliance regulations.
7. Physical Requirements
Ability to perform site inspections and travel to various project locations.
Capability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
Exposure to outdoor working environments and varied weather conditions.
Adequate mobility for navigating construction sites and operational facilities.
8. Work Environment and Schedule
Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required to meet project deadlines.
Regular travel to project sites is necessary.
On-call availability during critical project phases is expected.
9. Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $150,000 - $200,000 USD per year.
Annual performance bonuses tied to operational efficiency and profitability.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with company matching opportunities.
10. Company Culture and Overview
We foster an innovative, team-oriented environment where every voice is valued.
Our culture promotes ongoing professional growth, learning, and achievement.
We are dedicated to excellence and take pride in delivering top-tier roofing solutions.
Collaboration, integrity, and respect drive our passion for customer satisfaction and success.
11. How to Apply
If you meet the above criteria and want to be part of a growth-oriented company focused on customer satisfaction, please send your resume to [INSERT EMAIL HERE] or apply online at [INSERT WEBSITE LINK HERE].
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A commercial roofing COO runs many crews on large, low-slope roofs over buildings full of people and equipment. Federal rules reach the old roof before it comes off, and the injury log reaches OSHA every year.
Old roofs get an asbestos check first
Before a renovation or demolition, EPA's asbestos rule requires a thorough inspection of the affected part of the building. Its definitions give asphalt roofing products that contain asbestos their own category. On a reroof, the notice rule starts at 160 square feet of regulated asbestos to be removed or disturbed on parts other than pipes. Then written notice is due at least 10 working days before work starts. Make the survey report part of every reroof's start-up file. Source: 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M: Asbestos NESHAP, sections 61.141 and 61.145 (eCFR).
OSHA gets the injury log online
An establishment with 100 or more employees at any time last year, in an industry on OSHA's Appendix B list, must submit its Form 300 log and Form 301 reports online each year by March 2. Roofing contractors fall under NAICS 2381, which is on that list. Below 100 employees, a roofing establishment with at least 20 still sends the Form 300A summary. Check the log before it goes. Source: 29 CFR 1904.41: Electronic submission of injury and illness records to OSHA (eCFR).
Winter shrinks the install window
In North Dakota, cold months limit when adhesives, sealants and some membranes can go down, and each product's data sheet sets its own temperature limits. Plan the year so large adhesive-applied roofs land in warm months, save fastened systems and repairs for the cold edges of the season, and keep adhesives stored warm.
Write one install method for each roof system
TPO, PVC, EPDM, modified bitumen and built-up roofs each have their own tools, details and weak spots. Write a short standard work sheet for each system, from deck prep to the last flashing, and train leads on it. Crews that switch between systems need the sheets most, and the sheets make new leads faster to train.
How much commercial roofing chief operating officers make
The closest BLS group for commercial roofing chief operating officers is chief executives. Chief executives who work for specialty trade contractors earned a median of $169,170 a year ($81.33 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s below the $213,990 median for chief executives in all industries. About 3,830 of the 204,350 chief executives in that survey work for specialty trade contractors.
The COO's yearly bonus in the template rides on operating efficiency and profit, on top of salary. Base part of that bonus on finished safety audits and closed punch lists, too.
Specialty trade contractors
$169,170$169,170 median Middle half $100,570–$283,340 10th–90th $69,930–$386,670
All industries
$213,990$213,990 median Middle half $129,540–$356,200 10th–90th $75,700–$507,730
10th–90th percentileMiddle halfMedianAnnual pay, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Annual pay by percentile
Group
10th
25th
Median
75th
90th
Specialty trade contractors
$69,930
$100,570
$169,170
$283,340
$386,670
All industries
$75,700
$129,540
$213,990
$356,200
$507,730
BLS counts too few chief executives at roofing contractors for a steady figure, so these figures cover specialty trade contractors. Post a real range for your market in the ad.
The pay line in the template above is an example from our Role Blueprint. Set yours from these figures and what local companies pay.
Skills to hire for, and what you can teach
Hire for these
Eight or more years in construction or roofing operations management, as the template asks
Has overseen several commercial roofing crews or projects at the same time
Knows OSHA's construction rules for falls, hot work and recordkeeping
Reads a roofing spec and spots what will fail a manufacturer inspection
Has improved a process together with crew leads, not just on paper
Teach these on the job
Your project management and scheduling software
Each manufacturer's installation and warranty steps
Cold-weather practices, if they come from a warmer market
Lean tools such as standard work and daily huddles
Your asbestos survey and notice process
Jobs are tracked in Procore or a roofing project platform, with the OSHA 300 log and site audits in a safety app or spreadsheet. On roof visits the COO brings a moisture meter, takes photos and wears the same fall protection as the crew.
Two of the 6 questions we'd ask, and what a strong answer sounds like. Ask every candidate the same questions, and rate each answer on your own before you compare notes.
Situational · Launching a new service line
Leadership wants to add roof coatings or metal roofing as a new service line. How would you evaluate and launch it?
A strong answer: Checks demand and margins, manufacturer training and approvals, equipment, warranty terms and who will lead it, then starts with a few pilot jobs and clear measures.
Behavioral · Growing foremen from within
Tell me about how you grew foremen from within so the company could run more commercial roofs at once. What worked?
A strong answer: Specific steps such as a lead-roofer track, foreman training on safety plans, daily reports and crew management, manufacturer training, pay steps, and retention numbers.
Read the template's figures as examples. After a season of on-time, injury and audit data from every crew, write your own.
Revenue Growth
Track revenue from completed and active roofs year over year, next to how much work the field can deliver with the crews on hand, so sales don't outrun capacity.
Project Completion Rate
Count closed projects that met both the contract date and the closeout budget, against all closed projects. Log weather days and owner delays separately so the cause stays clear.
Safety Compliance
Use the OSHA 300 log to track recordable injuries against hours worked, and add near misses and audit findings from roof visits so trends show up before someone gets hurt.
Customer Satisfaction Rating
Survey building owners and general contractors after closeout. Add first-pass manufacturer inspections and leak calls in a roof's first year as quality signals.
Career path
Field supervisorRuns several crews and checks their safety setups each day.
Production managerMatches crews and equipment to the project list week by week.
General managerAnswers for profit, customers and every department.
Chief operating officerSets the company's install methods, safety program and quality checks.
Who at a commercial roofing company should work with the membrane makers' field reps?
The COO. The rep inspects roofs for warranty, answers detail questions and can flag a crew whose work is slipping. Hold a regular review of inspection reports with each maker, share the results with leads, and fix repeat punch items through training instead of one roof at a time.
How much does a commercial roofing chief operating officer make?
Chief executives who work for specialty trade contractors earned a median of $169,170 a year ($81.33 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $100,570 and $283,340 a year. Pay also depends on your local market, experience and bonus terms.
Should a commercial roofing company keep a sheet metal shop in-house?
Many do, because coping, edge metal, gutters and counterflashing can hold up a roof when an outside shop runs late. A shop needs a brake, shears, skilled metal workers and enough steady volume to pay off. Compare lead times, rework and cost per job for in-house and outside metal before deciding.
How should a commercial roofing COO plan for school summer breaks?
School districts often want roofs replaced while buildings are empty, which packs many jobs into a few weeks. Bid and order materials early, book cranes months ahead, and decide how many school roofs the company can finish before students return. Turning down one more school job can protect the rest.
The template lists lifting 25 pounds, outdoor weather and moving around job sites. What tasks does that mean?
Site visits: climbing a ladder or roof hatch, walking large roofs to check work and safety setups, carrying a tablet, moisture meter or core samples, and time on roofs in July and January. Spell these out in the job post, and invite requests for reasonable accommodation.
