Director of Construction

A privately held, self-funded real estate ownership and development firm is seeking a Director of Construction to work closely alongside the Head of Construction, supporting the planning, budgeting, and delivery of commercial real estate projects across an active Florida portfolio. This hire is a critical "right-hand" addition designed to provide stronger front-end cost leadership and high-level project oversight.This role is built for a seasoned construction professional who brings strong cost judgment, practical building knowledge, and the ability to operate at a senior level within an owner-led organization. The Director of Construction will play a key role in guiding projects from early feasibility and budgeting through construction and close-out-balancing cost, schedule, quality, tenant needs, and long-term asset value.Position SummaryThe Director of Construction will serve as a strategic, owner-side leader with a heavy emphasis on preconstruction budgeting, feasibility, and early project shaping. Unlike traditional GC roles where the work is bid and awarded, this organization operates as its own GC and budgets are built to support internal deal-making in partnership with ownership and leasing.This position goes beyond day-to-day project execution and requires an individual capable of thinking holistically about real estate outcomes, risk management, tenant coordination, and portfolio-level impact-while also being hands-on enough to stay close to the work and anticipate challenges before they hit the field.Key ResponsibilitiesProject Leadership & DeliveryProvide high-level oversight across multiple commercial development and redevelopment projects, ensuring alignment with ownership objectives, leasing commitments, and long-term asset strategySupport the Head of Construction as a true right-hand partner-helping prioritize workload, identify risks, and keep projects moving forwardMaintain working knowledge of active projects across the portfolio, surfacing concerns early and helping solve issues before they escalatePreconstruction & Budget Management (Primary Focus)Lead and qualify early-stage budgets used for internal approvals and deal-making (not bid-driven estimating)Evaluate feasibility of tenant requirements and scope requests using strong pricing knowledge and building fluencyPartner with internal estimators and project teams to refine budgets as projects progress from early planning into executionSupport constructability reviews, scope alignment, and cost planning through design developmentConstruction OversightStay engaged throughout construction to ensure schedule integrity, cost controls, and quality standards are maintainedAssist in reviewing and advising on change orders, cost impacts, and scope shifts, including communicating "why" behind changes to internal stakeholdersAnticipate field-driven issues and help guide resolution plans based on prior full-cycle project experienceStakeholder & Executive CollaborationServe as a go-to contact for internal stakeholders (leasing/tenants), reducing the volume of escalations to the Head of ConstructionCommunicate project status, risks, schedule constraints, and budget updates clearly and professionallySupport executive-level decision-making with sound recommendations grounded in cost, constructability, and practical delivery strategyProcess Improvement & LeadershipContribute to improving internal workflows, reporting standards, and project controlsMentor/support project managers as needed (no direct reports initially, but leadership growth is expected over time)Lead by example with a "doer" mindset-hands-on, collaborative, and willing to jump in where neededQualifications8-15+ years of progressive experience in commercial construction with strong exposure to budgeting and preconstructionBackground in a small-to-midsize general contractor environment strongly preferred (less layered, more full-scope accountability)Demonstrated history of wearing multiple hats (estimating + PM + operations; superintendent exposure is a plus) and understanding projects start-to-finishStrong cost judgment and the ability to validate feasibility of tenant scopes and building requirementsExperience delivering ground-up and major renovation work across retail, industrial/warehouse, office, or mixed-use assetsPreference for candidates showing tenure and growth within organizations (short stints require clear explanation)Confident communicator able to interface at the executive level and act as a trusted internal partnerHighly organized, detail-oriented, and solutions-drivenValid driver's license required