Project Executive – Public Works

About the role

This is a portfolio-level leadership position for someone who has managed complex public works projects and is ready to own the performance of a team, client base, and book of work.

Responsibilities

• Portfolio and Project Oversight
• Oversee a portfolio of public works and commercial projects, ensuring delivery on schedule, on budget, and to Deacon's quality standards.
• Serve as the executive escalation point for project issues, owner concerns, and significant risk items across all assigned work.
• Conduct regular project reviews with PMs to assess financial health, schedule status, risk exposure, and team performance.
• Ensure compliance with all public agency requirements, including DSA oversight, public contracting law, prevailing wage requirements, and DIR reporting.
• Review owner contracts, subcontracts, and significant change orders on assigned projects.
• Safety and Quality
• Set and model the safety standard across the portfolio — this role owns safety culture, not just compliance.
• Ensure project teams adhere to Deacon's safety program and applicable OSHA standards, and hold them accountable for a proactive safety posture.
• Own or co-own the quality control program for assigned projects, including QC plan development and implementation, particularly on public agency work where QC is contractually required.
• Conduct site visits to assess work quality, safety conditions, and team performance.
• Team Leadership and Development
• Directly manage, mentor, and develop a team.
• Proactively plan staffing for projects, identifying hiring needs and partnering with HR on recruiting.
• Establish team culture and standards that align with Deacon's values and expectations for performance, communication, and client service.
• Support team members' career growth and advancement through coaching, feedback, and development planning.
• Client Relationships and Business Development
• Serve as Deacon's relationship owner with public agency clients, prime contract owners, inspectors of record, and design partners.
• Identify and pursue new project opportunities in partnership with preconstruction and leadership, including go/no-go decisions, pursuit strategy, proposal development, and participation in owner interviews.
• Contribute to constructability reviews and GMP development on preconstruction engagements.
• Represent Deacon in external meetings, agency forums, and industry organizations to maintain and build our presence in the Northern California public works market.
• Financial and Operational Performance
• Own the financial performance of the project portfolio, including margin, cash flow, and profitability, reporting to company leadership.
• Review monthly cost projections, job cost reports, and billings for accuracy and timely execution.
• Identify and manage risk across the portfolio, including contract risk, subcontractor performance, and scope changes.
• Partner with Preconstruction on estimates, project planning, and buyout strategy for upcoming work.

Qualifications

• 12 or more years of progressive project management and leadership experience with a commercial general contractor, with a substantial focus on publicly funded work.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects subject to DSA oversight, public contract law, and prevailing wage requirements in California.
• Proven track record of delivering complex public works projects on time and within budget, including projects in the $20M to $100M+ range.
• Experience directly managing and developing project management teams.
• Familiarity with business development and preconstruction in the public sector, including proposal development, owner interviews, and go/no-go decision-making.
• Knowledge of DIR compliance, certified payroll processes, and public agency owner requirements.
• Experience with alternative delivery methods such as CM/GC, CM at-risk, or joint venture structures is a plus.
• Experience across one or more of Deacon's core market sectors: Education, Healthcare, Government Facilities, Multifamily and Mixed Use, Hospitality, Retail and Restaurant, Office and Industrial, Senior Living, or Repair and Restoration.
• Strong financial acumen — comfortable owning P&L conversations and portfolio-level reporting.
• Excellent communicator and relationship builder, comfortable in executive-level owner meetings and equally effective leading internal team conversations.
• Proficiency in Procore or similar project management platforms.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred. Advanced degree a plus.
• OSHA 30 certification preferred.
• PMP or similar certification a plus.