Branch Manager
$125
Senior
Bachelor's
Arlington, VA, USA
In Person
Business & Strategy
No H1B Sponsorship
About the job
Requirements
- A minimum of 5–8 years of experience in the restoration or construction industry.
- Proven ability to build, motivate, and retain teams, and to run daily branch operations while carrying a full project load.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of outcomes.
- Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize across multiple projects.
- Ability to communicate clearly and confidently with clients, adjusters, the team, and the executive team.
- Resilience and resourcefulness, especially when launching or stabilizing a new office.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a customer-service mindset, including negotiation and conflict resolution.
- Attention to detail and a focus on accuracy and quality.
- Demonstrated ability to grow sales, with an understanding of budgeting, profit margins, and profit-and-loss statements.
- Level 1 Xactimate certification or willingness to obtain it.
- A valid driver's license and eligibility to work in the United States.
- Ability to pass a background check and drug screening; no felony convictions.
Responsibilities
- Lead branch strategy in alignment with the company's mission, values, and operational standards.
- Build and maintain a strong branch culture rooted in accountability, ownership, and trust.
- Oversee staffing, scheduling, and daily coordination of office and field teams.
- Lead weekly performance reviews with Project Managers and key staff.
- Exercise hiring and termination authority for field staff within approved thresholds.
- Escalate issues appropriately, including expenses over $5,000, legal matters, and deviations from standard operating procedures.
- Build and maintain relationships with adjusters, brokers, third-party administrators, and referral partners.
- Oversee branch vehicles and fleet, including monthly inspections, cleanliness and professional appearance, mileage and usage accountability, accident reporting and follow-up, preventive maintenance, and compliance with safety, inspection, and registration requirements.
- Review branch schedule and capacity for the upcoming seven days.
- Review the jobs-at-risk dashboard daily and ensure timely corrective action.
- Monitor customer concerns, delays, and survey feedback, and personally address neutral or negative feedback.
- Communicate daily priorities, escalations, and customer-impacting updates to the team.
- Approve purchases under $5,000 and ensure material orders align with scope and budget.
- Review billing readiness, revenue billed, collections progress, and aging receivables.
- Conduct daily office and warehouse walkthroughs for cleanliness, safety, and readiness.
- Ensure documentation, invoices, logs, and project notes are accurate and complete.
- Assign incoming claims evenly and strategically across project managers and technicians.
- Conduct weekly Project Manager reviews focused on open jobs, receivables, communication quality, job costing, and customer experience.
- Serve as estimator or project manager for large-loss, complex, commercial, or high-visibility claims when needed.
- Prepare scopes and estimates using Xactimate and submit them to carriers or clients.
- Oversee supplements, change orders, invoicing, and carrier communications.
- Handle escalations, warranty issues, and program compliance requirements.
- Maintain high-level communication with customers at key milestones.
- Participate in complex job kickoff meetings.
- Ensure carrier-required updates are timely and properly documented.
- Develop, coach, and retain a strong, productive team.
- Assign and oversee subcontractors from the approved vendor pool and ensure compliance with expectations.
- Manage the branch budget and ensure revenue and margin targets are met.
- Monitor weekly financial indicators, including revenue billed, accounts-receivable aging, profitability, and close rates.
- Ensure projects are executed in alignment with branch financial goals.
- As needed, serve as estimator and/or project manager for large-loss, complex, commercial, or high-visibility claims, or step into other roles required to protect branch health.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with XactAnalysis, Xactimate, and Cotality Estimate (Symbility); training will be provided if needed.
- Knowledge of third-party administrator procedures.
- Water Restoration Technician, Applied Structural Drying, Mold, or other Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification certifications.
- A bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience.
About the company
Merit Restorations provides full-service restoration for homes and businesses after fire, water, mold, and storm damage. It acts as a general contractor handling the entire recovery from emergency response to reconstruction, and coordinates with insurers to streamline claims. It responds 24/7 and performs water extraction, structural drying, debris removal, roof tarping, smoke cleanup, and rebuilding, serving residential and commercial clients across Virginia, Texas, and West Virginia from multiple offices. Its goal is to help clients recover quickly and safely while growing through acquisitions in the fragmented restoration industry.
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Purcellville, Virginia
Founded
2014
Get referred to Merit Restorations
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- July 2026 GearClean expanded referral reach and permanent Winchester presence immediately.
- Brenton Point's June 2026 capital supports acquisitions and faster market penetration.
- Existing leadership stayed intact: Sam Chapman CEO, Aaron McCleary COO, Casey Chapman board.
What critics are saying
- Restoration revenues depend on insurers, creating payment delays and scope disputes.
- Acquisition integration across Virginia, Texas, and West Virginia strains crews, systems, and culture.
- Indeed and Birdeye reviews flag inconsistent employee and customer experience, hurting retention.
What makes Merit Restorations unique
- June 2026 Brenton Point backed Merit, funding regional consolidation without brand change.
- July 2026 GearClean acquisition added Winchester coverage and Northern Shenandoah Valley density.
- Merit runs 24/7 mitigation-to-rebuild projects across Virginia, Texas, and West Virginia.
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Benefits
- 401(k) Company Match
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Unlimited Paid Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick Leave
- Paid Holidays
- Professional Development Budget