Construction Services Department Manager

Ward Getz & Associates LLC (WGA) is a Texas-based professional consulting firm delivering exceptional quality and service in civil engineering and construction management. Our diverse project experience spans industrial, commercial, mixed-use developments, hospitality, healthcare, education, municipal infrastructure, and residential projects. With five offices across Texas and remote team members nationwide, WGA combines local presence with expanding reach.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and collaborative Construction Department Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations, project delivery, and team coordination of WGA’s Construction Department. This role guides construction administration activities, supports field project representatives and construction managers, coordinates schedules and budgets, maintains quality and safety standards, and facilitates client communication across multiple civil engineering construction projects. The ideal candidate will bring strong civil construction experience, leadership skills, and a commitment to improving departmental processes while ensuring successful project execution and client satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Department Leadership and Operations:
  • Manage and develop the Construction Department team, including construction managers, project coordinators, field project representatives, and support staff.
  • Implement departmental goals, priorities, standards, and workflows to support consistent project delivery and operational efficiency.
  • Monitor department workload, staffing needs, backlog, resource allocation, and project assignments to ensure timely and effective support across active projects.
  • Partner with construction and firm leadership to support departmental performance, growth, and service delivery objectives.
• Project Delivery and Construction Administration:
  • Oversee construction administration services from pre-construction through project closeout, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with applicable standards and specifications.
  • Provide leadership and guidance for pre-construction meetings, pre-bid and bid meetings, OAC meetings, construction progress meetings, inspections, and warranty reviews.
  • Ensure effective processes for RFIs, RFPs, submittals, pay estimates, change orders, punch lists, record drawings, project documentation, and final closeout deliverables.
  • Support constructability reviews, construction sequencing, phasing strategies, and coordination with contractors, municipalities, permitting authorities, and project teams.
• Budget, Schedule, and Resource Management:
  • Support departmental budgets, project delivery metrics, staffing projections, and financial performance to promote profitability and cost control.
  • Review project schedules, critical path activities, resource plans, and contractor progress to identify risks and recommend corrective action.
  • Coordinate internal and external resources, including field staff, contractors, subcontractors, materials testing providers, survey/staking teams, and project management staff.
  • Support project managers during proposal development by providing construction administration scopes, staffing plans, and level-of-effort estimates.
• Quality, Safety, and Compliance:
  • Champion quality assurance and quality control practices for construction administration, field observation, testing coordination, documentation, and contractor performance review.
  • Ensure construction activities comply with project specifications, local and state regulations, permit requirements, safety standards, and company procedures.
  • Identify and manage project and departmental risks related to schedule, cost, safety, quality, documentation, and stakeholder coordination.
  • Promote a proactive safety culture and ensure staff and contractors follow applicable safety protocols and best practices.
• Client and Stakeholder Communication:
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for construction clients, contractors, internal project teams, and external stakeholders to support clear communication and issue resolution.
  • Provide regular updates to leadership and clients regarding project status, departmental workload, risks, schedules, budgets, and key decisions.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with municipalities, permitting authorities, agencies, contractors, developers, and other partners.
  • Support client relationship management and business development efforts by identifying opportunities to strengthen construction services and contribute to repeat work.
• Team Development and Continuous Improvement:
  • Mentor, train, and develop construction staff to support technical growth, leadership development, and consistent performance across the department.
  • Create and maintain departmental standards for project setup, reporting, documentation, construction administration workflows, and field coordination.
  • Evaluate lessons learned, project outcomes, and process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and client service.

Requirements

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Construction Science, or a related field is preferred.
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Project Management Professional (PMP), OSHA 30, Professional Engineer (PE), or related credentials are highly desirable.
• Experience:
  • 7+ years of progressive experience in civil construction, construction administration, construction management, or related project delivery roles.
  • 3+ years of leadership experience managing teams, departments, complex projects, or multiple concurrent construction assignments.
  • Additional years of relevant work experience may be required in lieu of a degree and/or certifications.
  • Proven experience coordinating with contractors, subcontractors, municipalities, permitting authorities, agencies, clients, and multidisciplinary design teams.
  • Demonstrated success managing schedules, budgets, contracts, change orders, RFIs, pay applications, quality control, safety, and project closeout.
• Technical Skills:
  • Strong understanding of civil engineering construction methods, construction administration, contract documents, construction sequencing, and field operations.
  • Proficiency with construction management software (e.g., Procore, Buildertrend, MS Project, or similar platforms).
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, construction plans, specifications, contracts, schedules, and technical reports.
  • Knowledge of construction safety standards, environmental regulations, quality assurance practices, building codes, and local/state permitting requirements.
• Leadership and Personal Attributes:
  • Strong leadership, communication, mentoring, and team-building skills with the ability to guide staff and influence cross-functional teams.
  • Excellent organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution abilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Client-focused, proactive, accountable, and committed to quality, safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Travel and Physical Requirements

• Regular travel to active project sites, client offices, and meetings throughout the Greater Houston area and Southeast Texas market required, with occasional travel to other WGA project and office locations as needed.
• Ability to visit active construction sites, which may involve uneven terrain, exposure to varying weather conditions, and the use of standard personal protective equipment, including hard hat, safety glasses, high visibility vest, and steel-toed boots.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, and climb stairs or ladders as needed to conduct field observations, inspections, and site walks.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.