Director of Project Management

Director of Project Management

Doherty Steel Inc. | Lenexa, Kansas

Below, you will find a complete breakdown of everything required of potential candidates, as well as how to apply Good luck.

Job Summary

The Director of Project Management is responsible for providing strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for Doherty Steel Inc.'s project management department and project portfolio. As an AISC-certified structural steel fabricator and erector, DSI requires strong coordination between project management, estimating, detailing, purchasing, fabrication, logistics, field operations, and executive leadership to successfully deliver complex structural steel projects.

The Director of Project Management will lead, mentor, and develop the Project Management team while establishing consistent processes, standards, and accountability across all projects. This position is responsible for ensuring projects are properly staffed, planned, executed, documented, and financially managed from project turnover through completion and closeout.

The Director of Project Management serves as a senior point of contact for key clients, general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and internal departments. This individual will work closely with company leadership to identify risks and opportunities, improve operational performance, protect project profitability, and ensure Doherty Steel continues to provide exceptional service and quality to its clients.

Required Duties/Responsibilities

Department Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop the Project Management team.
• Establish clear expectations, responsibilities, performance standards, and accountability for Project Managers and Project Coordinators.
• Provide guidance and support to Project Managers on complex project issues, including scheduling, scope, cost, contracts, change orders, claims, client relations, and risk management.
• Participate in the hiring, onboarding, training, development, and performance evaluation of Project Management personnel.
• Evaluate departmental workload and project assignments to ensure Project Managers have the appropriate resources and support to successfully execute their projects.
• Promote a culture of ownership, accountability, communication, continuous improvement, and collaboration throughout the Project Management department.
• Develop succession plans and identify opportunities to strengthen the Project Management team.

Project and Portfolio Oversight

• Provide executive-level oversight of DSI's active project portfolio from project turnover through final completion and closeout.
• Ensure Project Managers understand and effectively manage project scope, contract requirements, schedules, budgets, manpower requirements, procurement needs, and client expectations.
• Review project status, financial performance, schedules, forecasts, risks, opportunities, and outstanding issues on a regular basis.
• Work with Project Managers to identify potential schedule delays, cost overruns, scope gaps, procurement concerns, detailing issues, fabrication constraints, field challenges, and other project risks before they significantly impact project performance.
• Develop and maintain standardized project management processes, reporting systems, and best practices.
• Ensure all projects are properly documented and maintained in accordance with company procedures and contractual requirements.
• Provide leadership and support on high-risk, high-value, or otherwise complex projects.
• Participate in project turnover meetings and ensure a thorough transition from estimating and preconstruction into project execution.

Financial and Commercial Management

• Oversee project budgets, cost forecasts, revenue projections, cash flow considerations, and overall financial performance across the project portfolio.
• Review financial performance with Project Managers and executive leadership and take corrective action when projects are not performing as expected.
• Ensure Project Managers effectively identify, document, price, submit, negotiate, and secure change orders.
• Establish and maintain consistent procedures for change management and communication with accounting and company leadership.
• Review project contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, and other commercial documents to identify significant risks, exclusions, obligations, and opportunities.
• Partner with accounting and executive leadership to ensure accurate project reporting, billing, forecasting, and financial controls.
• Identify trends affecting project profitability and recommend operational or procedural improvements.

Scheduling and Operational Coordination

• Oversee project scheduling and ensure appropriate coordination between detailing, procurement, fabrication, delivery, and erection activities.
• Work closely with department leaders to identify capacity constraints, production concerns, staffing needs, and potential impacts to project schedules.
• Ensure Project Managers communicate project priorities and requirements effectively to the detailing, shop, purchasing, logistics, and field teams.
• Assist in resolving conflicts between project requirements and available company resources.
• Promote proactive planning and communication to minimize disruptions, rework, delays, and unnecessary costs.
• Participate in operational planning and assist leadership in balancing workload, backlog, staffing, and project priorities.

Client and External Relationships

• Serve as a senior representative of Doherty Steel Inc. and develop strong relationships with key clients, general contractors, owners, architects, engineers, detailers, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Assist Project Managers in addressing significant client concerns, disputes, escalations, or other sensitive project matters.
• Participate in key project meetings and negotiations when appropriate.
• Ensure the Project Management team provides professional, responsive, and consistent communication to clients and project partners.
• Support the development and maintenance of long-term client relationships that contribute to repeat business and company growth.

Risk Management and Continuous Improvement

• Establish a proactive approach to identifying, evaluating, and mitigating project and operational risks.
• Review significant project risks with Project Managers and executive leadership and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Analyze recurring project issues, lessons learned, and performance trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, tools, and training that improve project execution and consistency.
• Work with leadership to improve coordination between estimating, detailing, fabrication, project management, and field operations.
• Support and uphold company quality, safety, and operational standards consistent with DSI's commitment as an AISC-certified structural steel fabricator and erector.
• Perform other related duties and strategic initiatives as assigned by executive leadership.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of structural steel fabrication and erection operations and the commercial construction industry.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills with the ability to build, mentor, and hold a high-performing team accountable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and a diverse project portfolio.
• Strong understanding of project financial management, including budgets, forecasting, cost analysis, productivity, and profitability.
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts, scopes of work, subcontracts, change orders, and risk management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, clients, general contractors, engineers, vendors, and internal teams.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with a proven ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment and manage complex or sensitive situations.
• Ability to delegate effectively while maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability.
• High level of attention to detail and commitment to documentation and follow-through.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management, scheduling, and construction management software.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and the development of scalable project management systems and processes.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Construction Engineering, Business Management, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education, industry experience, and demonstrated leadership may be considered.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible project management experience in structural steel fabrication and erection, commercial construction, or a closely related industry.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience leading, mentoring, or supervising Project Managers or other project personnel strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, large-scale, or multiple concurrent commercial construction projects.
• Experience with structural steel fabrication and erection is strongly preferred.
• Professional certifications in project management, construction management, or related disciplines are desirable. xhyhwjd

Benefits

Doherty Steel Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• 401(k) w/ 4% match
• Profit Sharing
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Doherty Steel Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.