Director of Construction - DER

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a Director of Construction - DER to support our growing EcoDistrict Services - DER National team in Seattle, WA. This position is responsible for leading the Western US construction execution for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) projects, ensuring best-in-class safety, quality, financial, schedule, and client satisfaction outcomes across a diverse portfolio of renewable and resilient energy infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for construction execution across DER technologies, including solar PV, BESS, EV infrastructure, microgrids, and fuel cells.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contract requirements, technical standards, and client expectations.
• Establish and enforce consistent construction management standards, processes, and KPIs across the DER portfolio.
• Lead construction execution for EPC, Design-Build, and fixed-price projects, including self-perform and subcontracted scopes.
• Oversee construction planning, mobilization, execution, commissioning, and turnover activities across multiple regions.
• Ensure effective integration between engineering, procurement, and construction functions to support predictable project delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement in construction productivity, cost control, schedule performance, and risk management.
• Serve as a visible safety leader and champion a zero-incident culture across all DER construction activities.
• Partner with McKinstry Safety and Quality teams to ensure compliance with all OSHA, site-specific, and client safety requirements.
• Ensure quality management plans are implemented and adhered to across all projects.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for safety incidents, quality issues, and near misses.
• Ensure commissioning, testing, and turnover processes meet contractual, regulatory, and client standards.
• Maintain project portfolio financial accountability for construction execution performance, including cost forecasting, margin protection, and change management.
• Review and approve construction budgets, schedules, and staffing plans.
• Monitor project financial health, cash flow, and earned value metrics across the portfolio.
• Ensure disciplined change order management and claims mitigation.
• Support accurate forecasting and reporting to executive leadership.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and lead Construction Managers, Project Managers, Superintendents, and field leadership.
• Build scalable construction teams capable of delivering complex, multi-site and utility-scale DER projects nationally.
• Set clear performance expectations and hold teams accountable to McKinstry values and operational standards.
• Foster collaboration across construction, engineering, development, and supply chain teams.
• Support workforce planning aligned with projected growth in DER markets.
• Serve as an executive point of contact for key IPP, C&I, and utility clients during construction execution.
• Build and maintain trusted client relationships through proactive communication and issue resolution.
• Ensure client satisfaction through consistent delivery of contractual, technical, and commercial commitments.
• Participate in project kickoffs, executive progress reviews, and closeout meetings as required.
• Partner with Development, Sales, and Estimating teams during pursuit, preconstruction, and contract negotiations.
• Provide constructability input, execution strategy, staffing plans, and risk assessments during bid and proposal phases.
• Participate in bid reviews, risk workshops, and contract reviews to ensure executable project scopes.
• Support growth of McKinstry's national DER EPC platform through disciplined execution and repeat client success.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency in leading national construction operations for renewable energy or infrastructure EPC projects.
• 12+ years of progressive construction leadership experience, with at least 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven experience delivering solar, BESS, EV infrastructure, microgrids, or fuel cell projects at scale.
• Strong background working with Independent Power Producers, C&I clients, and utility customers.
• Deep understanding of EPC contracting, risk management, subcontracting, and self-perform construction.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing large project portfolios and construction financials.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field required; equivalent experience considered.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to travel nationally as required.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match and profit-sharing plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums
• Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave
• Transgender inclusive benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Pet insurance
• "Building Good" paid community service time
• Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University
• McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers

Pay

The pay range for this position is $165,800 - $252,100 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Base pay information is based on market location. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.