Project Director

G&E Partners • Full-time • Chicago, IL, US • $150,000 - $250,000 / year • 5d ago

Position Summary

The Project Director is responsible for the strategic leadership, planning, execution, and successful delivery of large scale heavy civil construction projects including highways, bridges, rail, tunneling, utilities, marine works, and major infrastructure developments. The Project Director provides executive level oversight to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards while maintaining strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership for large-scale heavy civil construction projects
Oversee multiple projects or mega-projects simultaneously
Establish project execution strategies and delivery plans
Define project goals, KPIs, and success metrics
Ensure alignment between corporate objectives and project delivery
Lead project governance and executive decision-making
Oversee full project lifecycle from preconstruction through closeout
Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget
Monitor project performance, cost control, and schedule adherence
Implement corrective actions when performance deviates from plan
Oversee procurement and subcontractor strategies
Ensure proper resource allocation across projects
Review and approve project budgets and financial forecasts
Monitor profitability and financial performance
Manage project risk and contingency planning
Lead contract negotiations and commercial strategy
Oversee change management and claims resolution
Serve as executive-level client contact
Build and maintain strong client relationships
Interface with government agencies and key stakeholders
Lead executive-level project meetings and reporting
Champion company safety culture and zero-incident performance
Ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards
Oversee quality assurance and quality control programs
Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies
Lead resolution of complex project issues
Lead and mentor senior project managers and leadership teams
Build and develop high-performing project teams
Drive accountability and performance management
Support workforce planning and staffing strategies

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field
15+ years heavy civil construction experience
8+ years in senior leadership or executive roles
Experience delivering large infrastructure projects ($100M+ preferred)
Experience managing multiple large-scale projects
Experience with public infrastructure and government clients

Technical Experience

Heavy civil construction including roads, bridges, rail, utilities and tunneling
Design-Build, EPC, CMAR, PPP, and Design-Bid-Build delivery methods
Contract management and commercial strategy
Risk management and mitigation
Scheduling using Primavera P6 or equivalent
Cost control and forecasting