Director - Design Build, Aviation

Overview

About Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. We provide value across the entire project lifecycle through our core construction management services and complementary business lines in real estate investment, design, self-perform construction, and technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies). By integrating data, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology through our Seamless Platform, we connect design, construction, and operations to deliver smarter, more predictable results and redefine how America builds. 

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $9 billion in annual revenue, 3,000 employees, and 17 offices, including Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Herndon, U.S. Virgin Islands, and other key markets. Suffolk manages some of the most complex and transformative projects in the country, serving clients across healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, aviation, transportation, government, mission critical, and commercial sectors. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. 

At Suffolk, we believe that our total rewards program should offer you and your family the support you need when it matters most. That’s why we have created a program that provides employees with access to a wide variety of options that can be personalized to support you and your loved ones physically, emotionally, and financially. 

Benefits include, competitive salaries, auto allowances and gas cards for certain roles, access to market leading medical and emotional and mental health benefits, dental, and vision insurance plans, virtual care options for physical therapy and primary care, generous paid time off, 401k plan with employer match and access to expert financial resources, company paid and voluntary life insurance, tax deferred savings accounts, 10 backup daycare days each year, short- and long-term disability, commuter benefits and more.  For more information, click here. 

The Role

Suffolk is seeking people who are bold. Curious. Innovative. Caring. Looking for the career opportunity of a lifetime. We’ll challenge and inspire you to be your very best. We’ll embrace what makes you unique and lift you up as you take chances. Here, you’ll find a place where you can act with purpose and integrity, bringing intelligence and grit to every aspect of your job. Join us for the chance to achieve your ambitions and build your legacy

As part of an Aviation Design Build team, the Director – Design Build (Aviation)will proactively and collaboratively work as part of a unified team, comprising various Suffolk stakeholders and design professionals, through Suffolk’s optimized, end-to-end design-build management process. This role demands strategic project leadership, technical rigor, and seamless coordination across disciplines and stakeholders to ensure design excellence and delivery precision.

The ideal candidate is deeply committed to enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, completeness, and speed of the design, documentation, and construction process. They will champion Suffolk’s design-build vision, leveraging innovative tools, technologies, and procedures to exceed client expectations. From pursuit through close-out, the Director – Design Build (Aviation) will drive alignment between design intent and construction execution, ensuring that every project design milestone is met with clarity, creativity, and accountability.

Responsibilities

During each phase of a design-build project lifecycle, the Director – Design Build (Aviation) will lead the interface between Suffolk Construction, external design and industry professionals, trade partners, regulatory agencies, and other project stakeholders to mitigate risk and achieve project goals, all the while embracing culture of authentic collaboration and technical competence.

Pursuit Phase

• Review RFQ/RFPs and develop a deliverable matrix.
• Participate in negotiating teaming and design services agreements.
• Identify, assess and develop mitigation strategies for design-related risks.
• Interview / approve Design Managers and oversee proposal development.
• Align design deliverables with cost models and schedules.
• Coordinate scope validation, value engineering, and RFP submittals.

Design Phase

• Provide technical guidance to external design professionals and manage scope control.
• Facilitate integrated design workshops and interdisciplinary coordination.
• Track permitting and other third-party coordination (ex, governmental, authorities having jurisdiction, etc).
• With external design professionals, resolve design comments and drive recovery plans.
• Oversee delegated designs and trade assist efforts.

Preconstruction & Construction Phase

• Support estimating, scheduling, and change management.
• Resolve technical questions and coordinate field/design integration.
• Oversee RFIs, shop drawings, and design change documentation.
• Conduct constructability reviews and monitor as-built updates.
• Continue permit services and support commissioning.

Close-out Phase

• Ensure completion of all contractual design obligations.
• Lead post-project reviews and document lessons learned.
• Review Record Drawings and finalize financial close-out.
• Issue warranty correspondence and share design insights for future projects.

Qualifications

• Certification as licensed architect or professional engineer as well as DBIA is strongly preferred.
• Professional degree in Architecture, Engineering or Construction Management is required. Advanced degree preferred.
• 10-15 years of increasingly responsible experience in the professional design services industry, with a background in Design Build design coordination and/or management. Specific experience in large Aviation projects is required.
• Proven success working on multiple projects and building types, across all project phases.
• Experience managing teams through the duration of the project’s design process, including completion of Construction Documentation (Drawing & Specification).
• Extensive knowledge of industry standards and resources.
• Shared enthusiasm for executing the Suffolk Design vision, with a demonstrated willingness to rethink traditional methodologies and to passionately seek out advancements in project delivery outcomes.
• Desire to be part of something bigger than oneself and appreciate the opportunity that Suffolk and Suffolk Design bring to radically transform the design and construction industry.
• Genuinely collaborative and open to the expert opinions of leading construction and technology industry experts, all the while able to confidently bring technical design knowledge to the discussion.
• Deep awareness and sensitivity to the workings of the design and construction processes, and the ability to interpret and develop creative, technically competent, and constructible solutions to design challenges.
• Demonstrates value-driven design philosophy that incorporates sound business judgement, community benefit and aesthetic excellence.
• Strong management capabilities and proactive leadership qualities that allow for systematic and consistent implementation of standard processes, procedures, and systems across Illuminate and Suffolk’s broader design-build delivery business.
• Self-motivated and able to work as part of a team or independently, depending on the situation.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Inquisitive with a passion for excellence and continual improvement.
• Able to travel, as needed.
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Must possess Suffolk’s Core Values: Passion, Integrity, Hard Work, Professionalism, and Caring

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

EEO Statement

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.

Compensation Information

The expected salary range for this position (Director, Design Build (Aviation)) in US-NY-New York is between $193,000 and $270,000 USD. This represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Suffolk’s total compensation package. Actual salaries may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, skill set, experience, education and other qualifications. Suffolk offers a comprehensive benefits package as part of its overall compensation strategy. Salary ranges may differ by geography and are reviewed regularly to reflect market trends.