Project Director, Construction

About the Role

You will join one of our 45 U.S. offices and become part of a committed team of over 1,500 professionals. Working directly with clients, you will help shape the world around us while being welcomed into a rapidly growing business. You’ll be valued, cared for, and challenged on your path to becoming a world‑class professional consultant, surrounded by leaders who foster an environment that enables personal success and fulfillment.

As a Project Director, Construction at Design Group, you will partner with seasoned leaders, technical specialists, and subject‑matter experts within our Architecture + Engineering + Construction (AEC) Business to deliver high‑quality solutions to clients in the Food, Beverage, Life Science, Home, and Personal Care markets.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Client Relations & Business Development: Guide projects from conception to fruition, ensuring alignment with client and organizational objectives.
• Risk and Contract Management: Lead risk assessments, contract negotiations, and make critical fee and pricing decisions.
• Client Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact for market leaders, representing excellence in project performance.
• Opportunity Identification & Proposal Development: Identify new opportunities and develop concise proposals that define scope of work and support group decisions.
• Budget and Financial Oversight: Maintain a hawk‑eye view on budget and financial aspects, ensuring fiscal responsibility throughout the project lifecycle.
• Construction & Design‑Build Champion: Lead construction and design‑build initiatives, including estimating and proposal crafting.
• Scope and Schedule Management: Ensure estimates, designs, schedule sequencing, and proposal stages meet client expectations for budget, aesthetics, scope, and timing.
• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Communicate project goals and requirements effectively, leading the team to success.
  • Mentor, develop, and train team members to achieve personal and professional milestones.
  • Lead by example in all team roles, fostering unity and collaboration.
  • Step into any project role as needed to maintain team effectiveness and morale.
• Technical Proficiency, Quality Assurance & Safety:
  • Oversee the full spectrum of construction activities for industrial facilities such as cold‑storage distribution centers, food & beverage processing plants, packaging facilities, life‑science and advanced‑technology manufacturing sites, ASRS robotics centers, data centers, clean rooms, MEP‑driven projects, etc.
  • Ensure all project aspects align with company standards, industry norms, and regulatory requirements.
  • Implement and enforce comprehensive safety programs and monitor job‑site safety.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of diverse construction experience, including 8+ years in construction management and team leadership.
• Proven ability to lead complex industrial construction projects end‑to‑end.
• Expertise in construction and A&E design‑build projects, preferably within food, beverage, consumer goods, or life‑science sectors.
• Excellent leadership and team‑development skills.
• Track record of managing industrial projects valued between $50 K and $50 M.
• Familiarity with process systems and proficiency in reading P&IDs.
• Safety‑focused with experience implementing comprehensive safety programs.
• Technologically savvy; quick learner of project‑management software, scheduling tools, and BIM systems.
• Willingness to travel as needed for client meetings, AHJ meetings, internal meetings, and site visits.
• Technical skills: experience with Procore, Bluebeam, MS Project, Timberline, AutoCAD, or Revit.
• Strong grasp of prime contract requirements, including creation of estimates, schedules, scopes, and budgets.
• OSHA 10‑ or 30‑hour certification.
• Construction project management certification (preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, or a related technical field (preferred).
• Contractor Qualifier License(s) or willingness to obtain licensure in multiple states.

Culture & Development

Our culture is built on mutual respect, integrity, and a genuine interest in the success of each professional. We offer a rewarding, challenging, and highly flexible career path supported by professional development resources such as a First Year Experience program, Individual Development Plans, and Career Path tools. You will be surrounded by exceptional talent that will help you grow both as a world‑class engineer and an effective leader.