Construction Project Executive, Higher Education

Job Description

Job Description

Coakley & Williams Construction (CWC) is seeking a Project Executive to lead educational and institutional construction projects while helping expand our higher education portfolio.

Building on CWC’s established work with public and state-funded learning institutions, this leader will strengthen client relationships, develop new higher education opportunities, and partner directly with the COO on pursuits and growth strategy. The role offers meaningful authority over project selection, staffing, and execution, with a potential path to Business Unit Leader or senior operations leadership.

What You’ll Do

• Provide executive leadership for multiple educational and higher education construction projects from preconstruction through closeout.
• Develop and maintain relationships with institutional owners, higher education leaders, architects, engineers, consultants, and trade subcontractors.
• Identify and advance new opportunities while serving as a final reviewer of project pursuits, proposals, RFP responses, and interview strategies.
• Partner directly with the COO and business leaders on higher education growth strategy, market positioning, and pursuit decisions.
• Lead project teams and oversee safety, scheduling, procurement, quality, risk, subcontractor performance, and client communication.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, change orders, cost controls, owner requisitions, and overall project profitability.
• Guide constructability, phasing, logistics, estimating, scheduling, BIM, and value-management decisions during preconstruction.
• Help select, mentor, and develop project team members with support from CWC’s experienced Talent Acquisition team.
• Represent CWC within higher education and construction industry organizations, conferences, and networking events.

What Sets This Opportunity Apart

• Build on an established educational and institutional construction platform while helping shape CWC’s growing higher education portfolio.
• Influence which projects CWC pursues and how teams are assembled to deliver them.
• Work directly with the COO on business-line strategy, client development, and long-term growth.
• Gain executive visibility and a potential path to Business Unit Leader or senior operations leadership.
• Join a mid-sized commercial general contractor where senior leaders have the resources to execute and the access to make an impact.

Required Qualifications

• At least ten (10) years of experience in managing building construction projects singularly, or in cumulative, in excess of Twenty (20) Million Dollars
• Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Business, Engineering, or Related field
• Experience developing business and maintaining long-term client relationships within the educational and institutional construction market
• Proven track record of client satisfaction and profitability
• OSHA 30 hour, First Aid and CPR certifications
• LEED Specialty Accreditation
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, Procore, Bluebeam as well as an understanding of Primavera scheduling and BIM

Preferred Experience

• Leadership of new construction, renovation, reconstruction, or preconstruction projects for colleges, universities, trade schools, or other higher education institutions
• An established network of institutional owners, facilities leaders, design partners, consultants, and industry professionals
• Experience managing occupied campuses, phased construction, academic calendar constraints, and complex stakeholder groups

Wage Transparency:

In accordance to the Maryland Wage Transparency Act, the base salary range for this postion is: $170,000-$215,000, based on experience, qualifications, and skills.

What we offer :

• A collaborative culture focused on safety, quality, and long-term relationships
• Clear path for leadership growth and advancement
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including:
• • Health, Dental, and Vision coverage
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Performance-based bonuses
  • Paid time off and wellness programs

Job Demands

This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and lift or move items weighing up to 50 pounds. Work may involve active construction sites, heavy equipment, hazardous materials, and extreme weather conditions. Hours will vary based on project requirements and may include nights and weekends.

CWC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected status, including protected veteran or disability status.

For more than six decades, we have been the trusted general contractor for high-quality life science facilities, multifamily housing, K-12 schools, higher education buildings, industrial facilities, major municipal projects, hospitality venues, and corporate interiors. Our deep expertise and commitment to the DMV region ensure exceptional results for clients across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

As a 2026 Best Place to Work & NAIOP DC|MD Firm of the Year, we’re proud to shape projects & partnerships that help the DMV thrive — because how we build matters as much as what we build.

Company Description

For more than six decades, we have been the trusted general contractor for high-quality life science facilities, multifamily housing, K-12 schools, higher education buildings, industrial facilities, major municipal projects, hospitality venues, and corporate interiors. Our deep expertise and commitment to the DMV region ensure exceptional results for clients across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.\r\n\r\nAs a 2026 Best Place to Work & NAIOP DC|MD Firm of the Year, we’re proud to shape projects & partnerships that help the DMV thrive — because how we build matters as much as what we build.