Director, Accounts - Design and Construction

Summary

Cresa is seeking a Director, Design and Construction with Architectural or Construction expertise to be embedded within a global luxury brand to lead major capital projects for a client in the Americas.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

- Establish and lead a Design & Construction PMO, including governance frameworks, SOPs, performance metrics, and standardized delivery processes across the portfolio. - Provide executive-level reporting and presentations in partnership with the AVP, delivering clear insights for capital planning, project performance, financials, and risk. - Oversee end-to-end design and construction delivery, ensuring projects meet scope, budget, schedule, quality, and brand standards across multiple markets. - Lead portfolio-level capital planning, vendor strategy, and risk management, aligning project execution with broader business and workplace objectives. - Build relationships with different business leaders across the organization to represent the Workplace Strategy & Facility Management team. - Create, and maintain a project roadmap, define a project delivery process and ensure the appropriate allocation of resources. - Manage multiple high-impact projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment, ensuring seamless communication, on-time execution and continuous value delivery for key and strategic corporate capital projects. - KPI’s include, cash flow management & projections, total payment management, cost variance tracking, project progress and ensuring safety measurements are aligned with client requirements. - Define project scope, budgets, schedules, and deliverables in partnership with internal and external stakeholders. - Manage client service and project communication, maintaining proactive communication throughout the project life cycle. - Maintain regular communication with clients’ internal stakeholders and sub-consultants to ensure satisfaction with the project process and engineering work product, and that client views are managed toward the best solution. - Monitor and ensure adherence to budgets and financial expectations. - Manage and develop program contracts and project fee matrices. - Define and manage project quality expectations. - For projects delivered under the Design-Build model: - Perform all aspects of construction management oversight to confirm that the design-builder is in full compliance with the safety, quality, cost, and schedule commitments of the contract, including: - Review of design documentation - Review of Architectural specifications - Review of contract documents - Submittal review - Monthly walkthroughs with owner to review construction progress relative to billing - Periodic site walkthroughs for general progress review (2 per month) - Punch list walkthrough with owner - Review of closeout documentation per phase - Prepare technical reports, review designs for constructability and future operations/maintenance concerns, monitor permit for compliance, attend and participate in stakeholder coordination meetings, attend meetings with the design-builder team, contribute to the quality assurance oversight plan, enforce compliance by the design-builder with its QA/QC Plan, safety plan and contract schedule. - Perform all aspects of construction management oversight to confirm that the design-builder is in full compliance with the safety, quality, cost, and schedule commitments of the contract, including: - Negotiate contracts and oversee compliance, risk management, and quality assurance. - Maintain awareness of and compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations and requirements across the region. - Oversee and facilitate, as necessary, the timely and accurate processing of all relevant vendor invoices. Provide technical evaluations, advice, and guidance to the Project team.

Qualifications

- This position requires a strategic and results-driven leader with a strong background in project management and Architecture understanding of facilities management outsourcing models, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven track record of managing complex projects from conception through completion. Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred. - Recognized ability to lead and motivate clients’ internal stakeholders and external project teams - Strong communication skills at multiple project levels ranging from tradespeople to facility executives - Demonstrated project success in meeting project budgets and schedules - Understanding of building codes, safety regulations, permits, ADA, sustainability/energy management, and other related compliance requirements. - Advanced proficiency in project management standards and execution required. - Advanced knowledge and application of building design and construction principles required. - Clear, concise, and professional written and verbal communication skills. - Exceptional organization and project management skills. - Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders. - Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills. - Demonstrated agility and adaptability to manage multiple complex projects across different facilities. - Proficient use of technology tools, e.g., intranet platforms, SharePoint, Microsoft Office applications, etc. Familiarity with SAP, a plus. - Experience with Revit, CAD, and/or Bluebeam preferred. - Project management certification (PMP) preferred, MS Project knowledge.