Director of Construction

ABOUT THE ROLE & THE DEPARTMENT:  

Capital Building Projects is a newly established City department that provides high-quality professional management of municipal building renovations.  The department plays a key role implementing strategic City priorities around climate change mitigation and resiliency.  The department has 18 full-time employees, and a building project portfolio valued at greater than $500 million of planned and ongoing construction. The size of the staff team and the value and complexity of the project portfolio are expected to grow over time.  

The Director of Construction position is the Owner’s Project Managers (OPM) position for the City of Cambridge managing all Capital Projects. Under the new organization, this position shall report to the Director of Capital Building Projects Department.   Major program areas include Design, Construction, and System Performance. This organizational structure will ensure that consideration of strategic priorities such the Net Zero Action Plan and the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance is embedded in all aspects of project lifecycles. The Director of Construction is a key member of the Capital Building Projects Department. 

Projects are located throughout Cambridge. Building types include schools, youth and senior centers, office buildings, libraries, public works facilities, garages, firehouses, and other public safety buildings.  Projects may include new construction, complete building renovations, MEP/FP upgrades, energy efficiency improvements, envelope improvements, photovoltaic installations, accessibility upgrades, and interior or FF&E upgrades. 

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:           

• The Director of Construction is the City of Cambridge Owners Project Manager (OPM) as described under MGL 149 & 149A Office of the Inspector General and must perform in these functions on all projects 

• Oversee a growing division of 7 staff members, guiding building projects from conceptual design through construction. The Staff are located on site helping with the overall management of the construction process 

• Participate in the procurement and management of a variety of capital building projects including new construction and renovation and repair of existing municipal buildings 

• Supervise direct report staff and participate in the hiring of staff and consultants 

• Manage and review consultant team progress and documentation of construction, programming from all phases of design from Feasibility Study, through the construction documents phase. At each phase work with closely with the Director of Design, to aid in cost estimating and bid phase, and construction administration and project close out 

• Perform OPM and/or owner’s representative duties at construction project team meetings, supporting an integrated team approach. 

• Review, process, and track contractor and consultant invoices, proposals, change orders, and contract amendments