Director of Construction
4 days ago
Lincoln
Job Description Position: Director of Construction Position Number: 402 Division: OSNI Department: OSNI Facilities & Projects Reports To: CEO Location: Lincoln (frequent travel required) Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Salary: Grade 18 ($109,734.03 - $159,948.05) Classification: Full-time Summary: OSNI Ponca is seeking a seasoned, entrepreneurial Director of Construction to lead the launch and growth of our Facilities and Projects business unit. This executive leader will translate stakeholder vision into a fully operational, high-performing division by setting strategy, building processes, and managing business unit activities to achieve rapid, sustainable growth. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Construction serves as the organization’s senior construction authority, providing executive-level leadership, strategic planning, and enterprise-wide oversight of all construction and capital development activities for Osni Ponca, LLC. The role oversees the full construction portfolio from concept through completion, including new development, renovations, infrastructure, and special capital projects across all subsidiaries and affiliated entities, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and in alignment with organizational strategy, financial controls, and tribal sovereignty requirements. The Director is also responsible for proactively researching, identifying, and creating new construction and capital project opportunities that generate revenue and support long-term economic development goals, operating as a self-starter to build and advance a qualified project pipeline. This senior executive position requires advanced construction expertise, financial and risk oversight capability, and experience managing multi-project portfolios, with the ability to translate technical project issues into clear executive- and board-level recommendations. On-site engagement is expected when needed to resolve high-risk or mission-critical issues. Success is measured by the compliant, strategic, and financially sound delivery of Osni’s capital portfolio and the development of sustainable, revenue-producing construction opportunities that protect tribal assets and advance long-term economic growth. Page Break Essential Responsibilities and Duties: • Provide enterprise-wide leadership for all Osni construction and capital improvement projects., • Develop and execute short- and long-term construction and capital development strategies in collaboration with the CEO., • Oversee multiple concurrent construction projects and programs, ensuring alignment with approved scope, schedule, and budget at a portfolio level., • Work closely with Osni’s financial team to ensure all construction and capital projects are properly budgeted, tracked, and reported., • Establish and enforce construction standards, policies, procedures, and best practices across all projects., • Direct, oversee, and coordinate the work of contractors, subcontractors, consultants, external partners, and all temporary or permanent Osni construction staff to ensure alignment with project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety standards., • Approve major project milestones, change orders, pay applications, and corrective actions within delegated authority., • Lead project feasibility assessments, delivery model selection, and contractor procurement strategies., • Develop, manage, and oversee capital construction budgets, forecasts, contingencies, and cost controls., • Identify, assess, and mitigate financial, operational, legal, safety, and schedule risks related to construction activities., • Ensure compliance with tribal, local, state, federal, OSHA, environmental, and building code requirements, including projects on trust land and fee land., • Coordinate permitting, inspections, regulatory approvals, and jurisdictional considerations., • Serve as Osni’s executive representative with architects, engineers, general contractors, lenders, insurers, and strategic partners., • Support joint venture, federal contracting, and 8(a) construction initiatives in coordination with legal and executive leadership., • Provide regular executive-level reporting to the CEO and Board of Directors, translating technical construction data into strategic and financial insights., • Maintain oversight of project documentation, reporting systems, audits, and close-out procedures., • Support workforce development initiatives related to construction, including tribal employment and training opportunities., • Perform other duties as assigned in support of Osni’s mission and strategic growth. Relationships and Authority: This position exercises broad authority over construction operations and capital projects and may directly supervise Directors, Construction Managers, Project Managers, support staff, contracted labor, consultants, and vendors as assigned by the CEO. Page Break The Director of Construction is authorized to make enterprise-level construction decisions within approved policies and budgets and to recommend major capital actions to the CEO and Board. Qualifications: Minimum: • Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, project management, or a related field., • Eight (8) years of progressive construction leadership experience, including multi-project or portfolio oversight., • Demonstrated ability to build, scale, and lead a construction organization, including developing internal construction staff, systems, policies, and operational capacity to support Osni’s long-term capital development goals., • Demonstrated experience managing commercial, retail, infrastructure, or large-scale development projects., • Advanced knowledge of construction methods, contracts, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management., • Comprehensive understanding of regulatory compliance across local, state, and federal jurisdictions., • Demonstrated ability to support or lead federal contracting, joint venture, or 8(a) construction efforts., • Strong executive communication skills with experience reporting to senior leadership or boards., • Valid driver’s license; must be insurable., • Must pass drug/alcohol testing and background checks., • Master’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, business, or a related field., • Ten (10) or more years of senior construction leadership experience., • Comprehensive understanding of regulatory compliance of tribal entities., • Experience working with Tribal governments, Tribal enterprises, or sovereign entities., • Experience managing construction programs involving trust land, fee land, and complex jurisdictional environments., • Professional certifications such as PMP, CCM, LEED, or equivalent., • OSHA 30 certification or advanced safety training. Page Bre Indian Preference: Preference will be given to qualified Ponca Tribe of Nebraska citizens and citizens of other federally recognized tribes. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Legal Requirements: This position must comply with Public Law 101-630 and 25 CFR Part 63, the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act.