Director, Design-Build Multi-Family

Merus brings more than 130 years of commercial real estate experience to the construction, development, ownership, and management of a diverse portfolio of assets across a growing footprint in the eastern U.S.

We’re all owners here. That shared ownership shapes how we work, make decisions, and support one another. Every team member is expected to take responsibility, follow through, and contribute to the success of our projects, partners, and company.

We were named a Deloitte U.S. Best Managed Company, recognizing how private companies are run across strategy, execution, culture, and financial discipline. That same standard shows up in how teams are supported, decisions are made, and the business continues to scale.

The Director, Design-Build Multi-Family has overall design-build responsibility for the group’s multi-family projects in the Cincinnati market, from initial client contact through project closeout. This position ensures assigned projects meet internal and external expectations for client satisfaction, budget, schedule, quality, and safety, while keeping the group’s actions aligned with Merus’ vision, purpose, values, and mission. The role is responsible for effective team leadership, full utilization of the team’s capacity, and the development of all team members’ skills.

Essential Job Functions

• Leads and develops a team of employee-owners, providing guidance, coaching, and support to help the team achieve departmental and company objectives and customer satisfaction goals.
• Provides leadership in risk evaluation, contract negotiations, fees, and pricing decisions.
• Provides oversight for budget and financial management of assigned multi-family projects.
• Serves as the primary contact for the Market Leader regarding multi-family project performance.
• Participates in design-build sales efforts, taking primary responsibility for preparing estimates and proposals.
• Participates in development and leasing efforts, taking primary responsibility for preparing estimates and scopes of work.
• Ensures the preliminary design, estimate, and proposal meet the client’s needs and expectations for budget, aesthetics, scope, and schedule.
• Negotiates construction contract terms with the client or Development Group, subject to approval by the Market Leader, Design-Build.
• Communicates project requirements and goals to project team members.
• Works with the company’s Development Group to support company goals for real estate development, investments, and revenue, especially where those efforts affect or are affected by Design-Build.
• Maintains client contact and approves all project change orders.
• Monitors project performance and is accountable for the results.
• Manages large-scale construction projects, often multiple projects at once.
• Develops Talent - Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals.
• Situational Adaptability - Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
• Manages Complexity - Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Plans and Aligns - Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Builds Networks - Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
• Tech Savvy - Anticipating and adopting innovations in business-building digital and technology applications.
• Organizational Savvy - Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people‑related organizational dynamics.

Position Requirements

• Proven history of effective team leadership, both in person and remotely.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to conduct tours of real estate sites and projects.
• Able to provide a reliable vehicle to transport at least four people between regional clients’ facilities, job sites, and headquarters.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or construction management, or relevant previous experience.
• Experience leading building teams focused on urban, urban‑adjacent, and suburban‑style wood‑framed multi‑family structures.
• At least 8 years of project management experience with multi‑family projects.
• At least 3 years of experience with conceptual estimating preferred.
• Familiarity with design‑build methodologies.

Safety Hazard of the Job

Normal safety hazards associated with office work, and with occasional observational visits to construction sites.

Physical Demands

Low physical effort required to sit, stand at files, bend, stoop, lift, and walk. Maximum unassisted lift is 35 lbs. Average lift is less than 10 lbs. Requires ability to use a keyboard and monitor. Also requires the ability to communicate verbally, both in person and on the telephone. May require some travel by car.

Moderate to extreme outdoor conditions. Above average noise levels. Protective equipment is required. Average inside office environment. Average office noise levels. No personal protective equipment is required. Ambient temperature is between 68F and 76F.

DIRECTOR, DESIGN‑BUILD MULTI‑FAMILY

Why Merus?

Merus brings more than 130 years of commercial real estate experience to the construction, development, ownership, and management of a diverse portfolio of assets across a growing footprint in the eastern U.S. We’re all owners here. That shared ownership shapes how we work, make decisions, and support one another. Every team member is expected to take responsibility, follow through, and contribute to the success of our projects, partners, and company. We were named a Deloitte U.S. Best Managed Company, recognizing how private companies are run across strategy, execution, culture, and financial discipline. That same standard shows up in how teams are supported, decisions are made, and the business continues to scale. Learn more about our culture at .

Summary of Responsibilities

The Director, Design-Build Multi-Family has overall design-build responsibility for the group’s multi-family projects in the Cincinnati market, from initial client contact through project closeout. This position ensures assigned projects meet internal and external expectations for client satisfaction, budget, schedule, quality, and safety, while keeping the group’s actions aligned with Merus’ vision, purpose, values, and mission. The role is responsible for effective team leadership, full utilization of the team’s capacity, and the development of all team members’ skills.

Essential Job Functions

• Leads and develops a team of employee-owners, providing guidance, coaching, and support to help the team achieve departmental and company objectives and customer satisfaction goals.
• Provides leadership in risk evaluation, contract negotiations, fees, and pricing decisions.
• Provides oversight for budget and financial management of assigned multi-family projects.
• Serves as the primary contact for the Market Leader regarding multi-family project performance.
• Participates in design‑build sales efforts, taking primary responsibility for preparing estimates and proposals.
• Participates in development and leasing efforts, taking primary responsibility for preparing estimates and scopes of work.
• Ensures the preliminary design, estimate, and proposal meet the client’s needs and expectations for budget, aesthetics, scope, and schedule.
• Negotiates construction contract terms with the client or Development Group, subject to approval by the Market Leader, Design‑Build.
• Communicates project requirements and goals to project team members.
• Works with the company’s Development Group to support company goals for real estate development, investments, and revenue, especially where those efforts affect or are affected by Design‑Build.
• Maintains client contact and approves all project change orders.
• Monitors project performance and is accountable for the results.
• Manages large‑scale construction projects, often multiple projects at once.

Essential Competencies

• Develops Talent - Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals.
• Situational Adaptability - Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
• Manages Complexity - Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Plans and Aligns - Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Builds Networks - Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
• Tech Savvy - Anticipating and adopting innovations in business‑building digital and technology applications.
• Organizational Savvy - Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people‑related organizational dynamics.

Position Requirements

• Proven history of effective team leadership, both in person and remotely.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to conduct tours of real estate sites and projects.
• Able to provide a reliable vehicle to transport at least four people between regional clients’ facilities, job sites, and headquarters.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or construction management, or relevant previous experience.
• Experience leading building teams focused on urban, urban‑adjacent, and suburban‑style wood‑framed multi‑family structures.
• At least 8 years of project management experience with multi‑family projects.
• At least 3 years of experience with conceptual estimating preferred.
• Familiarity with design‑build methodologies.

Safety Hazard of the Job

Normal safety hazards associated with office work, and with occasional observational visits to construction sites.

Physical Demands

Low physical effort required to sit, stand at files, bend, stoop, lift, and walk. Maximum unassisted lift is 35 lbs. Average lift is less than 10 lbs. Requires ability to use a keyboard and monitor. Also requires the ability to communicate verbally, both in person and on the telephone. May require some travel by car.

Moderate to extreme outdoor conditions. Above average noise levels. Protective equipment is required. Average inside office environment. Average office noise levels. No personal protective equipment is required. Ambient temperature is between 68F and 76F.

Environmental Requirements

Moderate to extreme outdoor conditions. Above average noise levels. Protective equipment is required. Average inside office environment. Average office noise levels. No personal protective equipment is required. Ambient temperature is between 68F and 76F.