Director of Construction - Southern California
13 days ago
San Diego
Summary The Director of Construction will lead and oversee all phases of regional construction operations with a focus on Design-Build best practices, NAESCO standards for energy efficiency projects, and AIA guidelines for construction administration and project delivery. This role demands a leader who champions safety, innovation, accountability, and collaboration to ensure projects exceed client expectations while fostering a culture of trust and continuous improvement. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • Provide strategic leadership and direction for all regional construction activities., • Build, mentor, and develop high-performing construction teams while promoting an inclusive, collaborative, and safety-driven culture., • Work with Human Resources to recruit, onboard, and retain qualified construction personnel aligned with Design-Build best practices., • Ensure professional growth opportunities for staff through training, mentorship, and exposure to innovative construction technologies and methods., • Lead and coordinate construction activities through all phases - from early engineering input to project close-out - ensuring alignment with AIA guidelines for construction administration., • Collaborate closely with the preconstruction team to validate design assumptions, confirm accurate cost estimates, and establish constructible and efficient project schedules., • Ensure seamless transitions from design development through procurement and field mobilization, minimizing rework and delays., • Guide subcontractor selection, contract negotiation, and oversight to ensure the best value and performance in alignment with NAESCO project requirements for energy savings and verification., • Establish and ensure consistent use of Project Management software to track schedules, budgets, progress, and documentation across all projects., • Direct standard invoicing, approval, and cost control processes to ensure transparency, compliance, and fiscal responsibility., • Lead the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and project financial reporting; manage expenses to maintain profitability and mitigate risk., • Track project performance against cost and schedule baselines; identify risks early and implement corrective actions proactively., • Champion a safety-first culture, ensuring strict adherence to OSHA requirements, company policies, and jobsite safety protocols., • Implement and enforce quality control and assurance programs that align with AIA standards and Design-Build performance expectations., • Ensure field compliance with division engineering standards, policies, and procedures., • Drive accountability across all project teams and subcontractors for maintaining the highest levels of safety, quality, and compliance., • Develop and implement plans to secure all necessary permits, working collaboratively with contractors, design teams, and local/state agencies., • Maintain strong, professional relationships with local utilities, vendors, contractors, and government authorities to streamline approvals and resolve issues., • Represent the company with professionalism in all client and community interactions, ensuring that stakeholder interests are respected and addressed., • Identify engineering and construction opportunities for improvement, championing innovative approaches such as prefabrication, modular construction, Lean methods, and advanced project controls., • Promote adoption of emerging technologies that streamline workflows, reduce costs, and improve sustainability outcomes., • Encourage a culture of problem-solving and knowledge sharing across teams to strengthen organizational learning and resilience., • Maintain open communication with clients to ensure satisfaction with project progress, quality, and outcomes., • Build and sustain long-term client relationships to foster repeat business opportunities and referrals., • Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or Architecture (advanced degree preferred)., • Minimum 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in Design-Build or performance contracting., • In-depth knowledge of AIA construction administration standards, NAESCO energy performance contracting principles, and OSHA safety compliance., • Proven ability to deliver large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of safety and quality., • Demonstrated success in building collaborative, high-performing, and inclusive teams., • Ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks to ensure timely delivery of high-quality deliverables., • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders while delivering excellent customer service in a highly dynamic growth environment., • Ability to work effectively in a fast paced, evolving, entrepreneurial work environment., • Ability to travel up to 50% of the time (post-pandemic: this is flexible at the current time). Travel may include various means of transportation including automobile, public transportation, rail, and airplane. Willdan Performance Engineering participates in E-Verify.