Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced College Project Director to lead the planning, design, construction, and closeout of multiple capital improvement projects within a higher education environment. This executive leadership role oversees multidisciplinary project teams and serves as the primary liaison between owners, design professionals, contractors, consultants, and stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with applicable regulations and institutional standards.
The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with extensive experience managing large public-sector construction programs and complex educational facility projects from concept through occupancy.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide executive leadership for multiple concurrent capital construction projects from planning through final closeout.
- Direct and mentor project managers, design managers, construction managers, project engineers, and support staff.
- Develop project execution strategies that achieve schedule, budget, quality, and safety objectives.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for executive stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and owner representatives.
- Lead project planning, programming, budgeting, procurement, design, construction, commissioning, and closeout activities.
- Monitor project budgets, cash flow, schedules, risk registers, contingency usage, and overall program performance.
- Review and resolve complex project issues involving scope, schedule, cost, constructability, and stakeholder coordination.
- Lead executive project meetings and present project updates to leadership committees and executive management.
- Ensure compliance with applicable building codes, California Public Contract Code requirements, Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements, and public procurement procedures.
- Oversee consultant performance, contractor coordination, change management, and contract administration.
- Collaborate with architects, engineers, inspectors, commissioning teams, and regulatory agencies throughout project delivery.
- Support implementation of alternative project delivery methods and partnering initiatives when applicable.
- Establish project controls, reporting systems, performance metrics, and quality assurance processes.
- Identify project risks early and implement mitigation strategies to maintain project objectives.
- Promote a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture focused on accountability, communication, and successful project delivery.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning, or a closely related field.
- Additional qualifying construction management experience may be substituted for education.
- Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience managing large commercial or public construction projects.
- Experience leading multiple concurrent capital improvement projects exceeding several million dollars in value.
- Strong knowledge of all phases of project delivery, including:
- Planning
- Programming
- Design
- Procurement
- Construction
- Commissioning
- Project Closeout
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing multidisciplinary project teams.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing higher education or large institutional capital improvement programs.
- Experience with California public works projects.
- Strong knowledge of California Public Contract Code.
- Experience working with Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements and project certification.
- Experience utilizing alternative delivery methods including Design-Build and Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC).
- Experience implementing formal partnering programs.
- California Registered Architect or Professional Engineer license preferred.
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential preferred.
Desired Leadership Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Executive leadership and decision-making
- Strategic planning and program management
- Financial and budget management
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Contract administration
- Schedule management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Conflict resolution
- Team development and mentoring
- Public presentation and executive communication
- Problem solving under complex project conditions
- High ethical standards and accountability
Why Join Our Team
This position offers the opportunity to lead impactful capital improvement projects that transform educational facilities and serve future generations. We are seeking a collaborative leader who enjoys solving complex challenges, developing high-performing teams, and delivering exceptional results.
If you are passionate about construction leadership and thrive in fast-paced, multi-project environments, we encourage you to apply.
Pay: $275,000.00 - $300,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning, or a closely related field?
- Do you have a minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience managing large commercial or public construction projects?
- Do you have experience leading multiple concurrent capital improvement projects exceeding several million dollars in value?
- Do you have experience managing higher education or large institutional capital improvement programs?
- Do you have experience working with Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements and project certification?
- Do you have experience with California public works projects and knowledge of California Public Contract Code?
Work Location: In person
