Program Director

About the Role

As Program Director, you will oversee a community college district's entire construction program—every capital project currently underway and those in the pipeline. Bond measures fund active projects, and a new $375 million measure passed in 2022 ensures at least five more years of construction. You will determine project priorities, maintain budget and schedule integrity, and serve as the district’s primary contact for resolving issues.

Your responsibilities include sequencing projects, setting budgets, selecting and directing architects, validating contractor estimates, and aligning schedules with the academic calendar. You will provide early warnings for potential delays and ensure transparent reporting to prevent surprises. A significant public-facing aspect involves presenting to the governing board, engaging with the citizens oversight committee, and addressing questions from faculty, students, and community members. The role requires clear communication, especially when explaining changes to stakeholders.

Campuses remain operational throughout construction, so working around academic calendars, phased move-ins, and limited summer windows is central to the role.

Responsibilities

• The entire program: determining what gets built, in what order, for how much, and by when across all concurrent projects
• Financial oversight: developing independent cost estimates, scrutinizing contractor bids, negotiating change orders, and delivering reliable forecasts
• Schedule management: enforcing timelines, identifying slippage early, and devising recovery plans without disrupting campus operations
• Architect and consultant management: selecting, directing, and reconciling their work
• Project delivery methods: choosing between design-build (guaranteed price) or traditional design-bid-build based on project needs
• Reporting: providing regular, transparent status updates for the entire program and individual projects
• Public engagement: representing the program at board meetings, oversight committee sessions, presentations, and community Q&A
• Project closeout: managing state approval processes, final documentation, and handoff to campus staff

Requirements

• Experience running an entire capital or bond program (not just individual projects), with verifiable examples and budgets
• Experience building on a college or school campus (community college experience is ideal; the district will ask about projects from the last five years)
• End-to-end knowledge of the DSA (Division of the State Architect) process for public school and college construction
• Proficiency with program schedules, budgets, cost estimates, and related software
• Experience with both design-build (guaranteed price) and traditional design-bid-build delivery methods, including when to use each
• Ability to manage multiple projects and architects simultaneously while keeping decisions moving forward
• Strong public presentation skills, including the ability to address challenging questions without defensiveness
• A bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or construction management

Preferred Qualifications

• A California Architect or Professional Engineer license, or Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential
• Experience with facilities master planning and prioritizing projects
• Establishing public communication channels for a program (e.g., websites, newsletters)
• Working with small, women-owned, and disadvantaged business participation programs

Schedule and Location

This is an on-site role based at a district facility or nearby location. The position is long-term, with an initial three-year contract renewable based on performance. The program itself is funded for at least five more years.

Benefits

• Compensation: Starting salary of $200,000
• Health, dental, and vision benefits at low cost
• 401k retirement plan
• Three weeks of paid time off (PTO)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) at no cost, with a 3% Safe Harbor contribution vested immediately

About the Employer

MAAS has nearly 40 years of experience managing over $10 billion in projects for 50+ educational institutions across California. The company is 100% employee-owned through an ESOP, providing a retirement benefit at no cost to employees. MAAS is profitable, well-run, and has seen its share price more than double since the ESOP’s inception, with consistent year-over-year growth. Nationally, ESOP participants accumulate 2.5x more in retirement savings than employees at non-ESOP companies. The company is recognized for its culture, with 96% of employees describing it as a great place to work and 100% saying people genuinely care about each other.