Capital Projects Director

Lafayette•Lafayette, CO

About The Position

The Capital Projects Director provides leadership, professional oversight, and project management expertise for the City’s key public infrastructure and facility projects from beginning to end. The position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering major multi-year projects, including managing budgets, schedules, contractors, and community engagement. Requires managing teams for projects including new construction, renovations, and upgrades. This role ensures that projects are completed on time, within budget, and in alignment with the City’s goals related to quality service delivery, fiscal responsibility, sustainability, and community engagement. The Director works collaboratively with internal departments, external consultants, and construction teams, maintains project schedules and budgets, and provides regular updates to executive leadership and City Council. Please view our hiring brochure HERE.

Requirements

Principles and practices of capital project planning, design, and construction.
Municipal operations, facilities planning, and public infrastructure systems.
Construction contract administration, public procurement, and regulatory compliance.
Financial planning, project budgeting, and cost control strategies.
Sustainability and energy-efficient building practices.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and permitting requirements.
Managing large, complex capital projects with multiple phases and involved parties.
Leading consultants, contractors, and cross-functional project teams.
Reading and interpreting architectural and engineering plans, specifications, and technical documents.
Negotiating contracts, resolving project issues, and facilitating agreements among involved parties.
Communicating complex technical information clearly, both verbally and in writing.
Managing competing priorities and maintaining project momentum.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal departments, consultants, contractors, and community members.
Develop comprehensive project plans and successfully manage project delivery.
Anticipate issues, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
Represent the City professionally in meetings and public forums.
Work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Public Administration, or a related field.
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience managing large-scale capital projects or public-sector infrastructure and facility programs with minimum of five (5) years supervisory experience, or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides evidence that the applicant possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Possession of a valid Colorado Driver’s License and maintaining a safe driving record required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
Professional certification or licensure such as PE, AIA, PMP, CCM, or equivalent.
Experience with municipal bonding, capital funding models, and alternative delivery methods such as design-build and CM/GC.

Responsibilities

Leads the planning, procurement, design, and construction of major City capital projects.
Ensures all project phases comply with City standards, municipal code, procurement policies, sustainability objectives, ADA requirements, and safety guidelines.
Develops project scopes, schedules, budgets, and procurement strategies for assigned projects.
Oversees architectural, engineering, construction, and inspection contracts, including negotiation, performance monitoring, and change order management.
Attends Owner, Architect and Contractor (OAC) meetings and monitors construction progress and quality.
Monitors projects for conformance to the contract documents.
Develops and manages project budgets, monitors expenditures, recommends annual appropriations, and ensures financial accountability throughout each project lifecycle.
Coordinates with Finance on funding strategies, including grants, bonds, and other financing tools.
Assists in preparation of cost estimates, cash flow projections, and financial reports for executive leadership and City Council.
Leads or participates in the selection of consultants, contractors, and construction managers through formal procurement processes.
Works collaboratively with impacted departments to ensure that project designs meet operational and community needs.
Coordinates permitting and regulatory approvals with internal staff and external agencies.
Develops communication plans and facilitates interdisciplinary work teams to identify project status, risks, resolve issues, and maintain project momentum.
Identifies and communicates change management strategies associated with capital project construction to assist with effective use of new asset/facility.
Prepares and presents project updates, reports, and recommendations to the City Manager’s Office, City Council, and boards and commissions.
Leads community outreach and engagement efforts for assigned projects, including public meetings, design input sessions, and communication about construction impacts.
Develops and maintains accurate project documentation, progress dashboards, and communication materials.
Oversees the work of consultants and construction teams and may supervise internal project management staff.
Provides coaching, direction, and performance feedback to assigned staff.
Fosters a collaborative, solution-oriented environment that promotes innovation, accountability, and service excellence.
Ensures project teams adhere to project management best practices, contract requirements, and City policies.
Manages additional special projects as assigned.
Performs other duties as required to support organizational and departmental goals.