Director of Construction Management Services

Willdan Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Willdan Group Inc., is seeking a highly experienced construction management leader to fill the role of Director of Construction Management Services for the New York City region. This position is responsible for leading and overseeing Willdan's construction management services across NYC and the surrounding metro area, with a primary focus on public sector, higher education, healthcare, and complex institutional facilities. The Director will provide leadership, oversight, and accountability for a portfolio of approximately five to ten concurrent projects, with individual project values typically ranging from $2 million to $50 million. Projects may include design bid build, design build, and EPC delivery models involving complex mechanical, HVAC, energy, and infrastructure upgrades.

This role requires a proven construction professional with strong technical knowledge, exceptional client facing skills, and demonstrated success managing teams, stakeholders, schedules, budgets, safety, and risk in the New York City construction environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Safety and Compliance:
  • Champion a proactive safety culture across all projects and teams.
  • Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements, NYC DOB regulations, site safety plans, and client specific safety standards.
  • Uphold Willdan policies, ethical standards, and professional conduct expectations.
• Regional Leadership and Management:
  • Provide strategic leadership and direction for Construction Management Services in the NYC region, advancing best practices, operational consistency, and continuous improvement aligned with company objectives.
  • Works closely with the Vice President of Construction to align regional delivery, staffing, and client priorities with company objectives.
  • Establish project priorities, staffing plans, and resource allocation across active assignments.
  • Serve as a senior representative of Willdan with clients, contractors, designers, and public agencies.
  • Support business development efforts including proposal development, pursuit strategy, interviews, and client relationship management.
  • Lead and enforce Design-Build and EPC best practices, including early constructability input, risk allocation, and integrated team coordination.
• Project and Program Oversight:
  • Provide executive strategic leadership for a portfolio of five to ten concurrent construction projects with values ranging from $2 million to $50 million.
  • Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with scope, schedule, budget, quality, safety, and contractual requirements.
  • Oversee project controls including schedules, budgets, forecasts, cost reporting, change management, risk mitigation, and claims avoidance.
  • Ensure consistent use of project management and reporting tools across all CM projects.
  • Serve as the escalation point for complex project issues, client concerns, and contractual matters.
• Client Interface and Stakeholder Coordination:
  • Act as a trusted advisor to clients throughout planning, design, construction, and closeout phases.
  • Lead high level meetings with owners, contractors, designers, regulatory agencies, and internal stakeholders.
  • Maintain and strengthen long-term client relationships to support repeat work and expanded services.
• Team Leadership and Development:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop construction management staff including project managers, resident engineers, inspectors, and support personnel.
  • Establish performance expectations and provide coaching, feedback, and professional development support.
  • Ensure appropriate staffing levels and technical expertise across all projects.
  • Partner with Human Resources to recruit, onboard, and retain construction management talent aligned with regional growth needs.
  • Promote a collaborative, accountable, and safety focused team culture.
• Technical Leadership and Quality Control:
  • Provide technical leadership related to construction means and methods, constructability reviews, phasing, logistics, and site coordination.
  • Ensure compliance with contract documents, drawings, specifications, and applicable codes and regulations.
  • Oversee quality control and quality assurance processes across all projects.
  • Support review, negotiation, and resolution of change orders and claims.
  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives, including improved project controls, delivery methods, and adoption of emerging construction technologies where appropriate.

Job Requirements / Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, architecture, or a related technical discipline required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of progressive experience in construction management, including significant experience delivering projects in New York City.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple concurrent construction projects and managing diverse teams.
• Strong working knowledge of MEP systems, HVAC, energy infrastructure, and building systems in occupied facilities.
• Experience with design bid build, design build, and EPC delivery methods. DBIA certification or demonstrated design build leadership experience preferred.
• Professional certifications such as PE, CCM, PMP, and DBIA are preferred.
• Deep familiarity with NYC construction practices, permitting processes, safety requirements, and regulatory environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage senior executives, public officials, and field personnel.
• OSHA Site Safety Training credentials required or ability to obtain.
• Ability and willingness to travel to project sites throughout the NYC region.
• Provide consistent, high quality construction management services that meet or exceed client expectations.
• Successfully oversee delivery of multiple projects while managing risk, safety, schedule, and quality.
• Develop and retain a high performing construction management team.
• Support regional revenue goals through effective delivery and client satisfaction.
• Communicate proactively and effectively with the Vice President of Construction, clients, and project teams.
• Uphold Willdan's standards for safety, ethics, professionalism, and technical excellence.