Director of Construction - Southern California

Summary

The Director of Construction will lead and oversee all phases of regional construction operations with a focus on Design-Build best practices, NAESCO standards for energy efficiency projects, and AIA guidelines for construction administration and project delivery. This role demands a leader who champions safety, innovation, accountability, and collaboration to ensure projects exceed client expectations while fostering a culture of trust and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all regional construction activities.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing construction teams while promoting an inclusive, collaborative, and safety-driven culture.
• Work with Human Resources to recruit, onboard, and retain qualified construction personnel aligned with Design-Build best practices.
• Ensure professional growth opportunities for staff through training, mentorship, and exposure to innovative construction technologies and methods.
• Lead and coordinate construction activities through all phases — from early engineering input to project close-out — ensuring alignment with AIA guidelines for construction administration.
• Collaborate closely with the preconstruction team to validate design assumptions, confirm accurate cost estimates, and establish constructible and efficient project schedules.
• Ensure seamless transitions from design development through procurement and field mobilization, minimizing rework and delays.
• Guide subcontractor selection, contract negotiation, and oversight to ensure the best value and performance in alignment with NAESCO project requirements for energy savings and verification.
• Establish and ensure consistent use of Project Management software to track schedules, budgets, progress, and documentation across all projects.
• Direct standard invoicing, approval, and cost control processes to ensure transparency, compliance, and fiscal responsibility.
• Lead the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and project financial reporting; manage expenses to maintain profitability and mitigate risk.
• Track project performance against cost and schedule baselines; identify risks early and implement corrective actions proactively.
• Champion a safety-first culture, ensuring strict adherence to OSHA requirements, company policies, and jobsite safety protocols.
• Implement and enforce quality control and assurance programs that align with AIA standards and Design-Build performance expectations.
• Ensure field compliance with division engineering standards, policies, and procedures.
• Drive accountability across all project teams and subcontractors for maintaining the highest levels of safety, quality, and compliance.
• Develop and implement plans to secure all necessary permits, working collaboratively with contractors, design teams, and local/state agencies.
• Maintain strong, professional relationships with local utilities, vendors, contractors, and government authorities to streamline approvals and resolve issues.
• Represent the company with professionalism in all client and community interactions, ensuring that stakeholder interests are respected and addressed.
• Identify engineering and construction opportunities for improvement, championing innovative approaches such as prefabrication, modular construction, Lean methods, and advanced project controls.
• Promote adoption of emerging technologies that streamline workflows, reduce costs, and improve sustainability outcomes.
• Encourage a culture of problem-solving and knowledge sharing across teams to strengthen organizational learning and resilience.
• Maintain open communication with clients to ensure satisfaction with project progress, quality, and outcomes.
• Build and sustain long-term client relationships to foster repeat business opportunities and referrals.
• Support business development efforts by contributing construction expertise during project pursuit and proposal phases.

Job Requirements / Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or Architecture (advanced degree preferred).
• Minimum 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in Design-Build or performance contracting.
• In-depth knowledge of AIA construction administration standards, NAESCO energy performance contracting principles, and OSHA safety compliance.
• Proven ability to deliver large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of safety and quality.
• Demo