Director of Project Management

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Project Management

We are seeking an experienced Director of Project Management to lead and scale a growing Project Management Department within a heavy civil construction organization. This executive leadership role is responsible for the overall strategy, structure, staffing, and performance of the project management function while overseeing a diverse portfolio of complex infrastructure and construction projects.

Reporting directly to executive leadership, the Director of Project Management will drive project success across schedule, budget, quality, safety, and risk management while building and developing high-performing teams. This individual will play a critical role in company-wide planning, project selection, resource allocation, financial performance, and client relationship management.

Key Responsibilities

The Director of Project Management will establish and execute the strategic vision for the Project Management Department, ensuring the department is structured to support company growth and increasing project volume. This role will oversee and mentor Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, and Project Coordinators while creating clear career development and succession planning pathways.

The successful candidate will maintain accountability for project performance across the company's entire portfolio, including scheduling, budgeting, safety, quality, risk management, and client satisfaction. They will collaborate closely with executive leadership, operations, estimating, and finance teams to evaluate project opportunities, manage staffing capacity, and drive company profitability.

Additional responsibilities include overseeing project financial performance, identifying and mitigating portfolio risks, leading resolution efforts for complex contractual issues and claims, implementing department-wide standards and best practices, improving project controls and reporting systems, and fostering strong relationships with key clients, owners, and general contractors.

This leader will also guide workforce planning efforts, including recruiting, onboarding, mentoring, and retention strategies, while driving technology adoption and continuous process improvements across the project management organization.

Qualifications

Candidates should possess a minimum of 12 years of progressive construction project management experience, including leadership responsibility for a project management department or multiple large-scale heavy civil or infrastructure projects.

Proven experience building, mentoring, and leading project management teams is required. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong background partnering with executive leadership, estimating teams, and finance professionals to support project selection, resource planning, and profitability initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have a track record of successfully managing executive-level relationships with clients, owners, and general contractors on large, high-value projects.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Strong knowledge of heavy civil construction contracts, risk allocation, and claims management is essential.

Candidates should possess advanced expertise in project portfolio planning, scheduling, budgeting, forecasting, and project controls.

Exceptional leadership, team-building, coaching, and organizational development skills are required, along with demonstrated success scaling project management organizations. The role requires advanced negotiation capabilities, strong business acumen, financial management experience, and proficiency with construction management, scheduling, and reporting software platforms.

Excellent communication and presentation skills are critical, as this position regularly interacts with executive leadership, clients, owners, and project teams. Bilingual English and Spanish skills are a plus.

Work Environment

This position operates in both office and field environments, requiring regular visits to active construction sites. Candidates should be comfortable working in dynamic construction settings and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Occasional travel between project locations is expected.