Director, Construction Services

The University of Memphis•Memphis, TN

6d•$100,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Construction Services provides strategic leadership, oversight, and management of the University's capital construction, renovation, infrastructure renewal, and deferred maintenance programs. The role directs construction administration, commissioning, occupancy, and project closeout across academic, research, housing, athletic, healthcare, utility, and support facilities. As a member of the Facilities Management leadership team, the Director establishes project delivery standards, oversees construction personnel, and manages consultant and contractor relationships. The position oversees institutional, state-funded, grant-funded, donor-funded, and auxiliary-funded projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with regulatory requirements and university standards. The University of Memphis is a student-centered, urban public R1 research institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. It serves nearly 20,000 students and 2,500 employees, including more than 1,000 full-time faculty members. The University has 1,160 acres, offers degrees across a broad range of disciplines, recorded more than $100 million in research awards for FY24, and has an operating budget close to $500 million.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Facilities Management, Building Science, or a relevant field; relevant experience may substitute for required education.
Ten years of progressively responsible construction management experience.
Five years of leadership experience overseeing professional staff and construction programs.
Experience managing large-scale capital projects and construction portfolios.
Experience administering architectural, engineering, and construction contracts.
Experience managing projects in higher education, healthcare, government, research, or comparable institutional environments.
Advanced knowledge of construction management principles and project delivery methods.
Understanding of campus infrastructure, utilities, and facilities operations.
Strong financial management and capital budgeting skills.
Ability to manage complex stakeholder environments.
Knowledge of higher education capital planning and public-sector procurement practices.
Excellent leadership, negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
Experience with project management software, scheduling systems, and construction management technologies.
Ability to lead large, complex construction programs and multidisciplinary teams.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.; the employer is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, or a related field.
Experience within a major R1 research university.
Experience managing projects exceeding $25 million in value.
Experience with state-funded capital programs and public procurement requirements.
Experience overseeing laboratory, utility, infrastructure, and mission-critical facility projects.
One or more professional certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP), Professional Engineer (PE), Registered Architect (RA), or APPA Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP).

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee construction management activities for capital construction, major renovation, infrastructure renewal, and deferred maintenance projects.
Establish departmental goals, policies, procedures, performance metrics, and project management standards.
Lead, mentor, and evaluate project managers, construction administrators, inspectors, and support personnel; develop succession planning, workforce development, and training initiatives.
Promote accountability, customer service, safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Oversee the University's capital construction portfolio, prioritize projects, plan workloads, and ensure delivery from preconstruction through occupancy and warranty completion.
Monitor project schedules, budgets, quality, risks, and stakeholder satisfaction; maintain long-range construction program schedules and support capital renewal and infrastructure investment strategies.
Collaborate with campus planning, facilities, finance, research, academic, and administrative units to identify project needs and priorities; participate in campus master planning and long-range facilities development.
Lead feasibility analyses, project justification, and business case preparation; review conceptual plans, budgets, schedules, and delivery approaches.
Develop and manage departmental operating budgets; oversee project budgets, expenditures, forecasts, encumbrances, contingencies, and financial reporting.
Steward university, state, federal, donor, grant, and auxiliary funding; review and recommend approval of project budgets, change orders, pay applications, and financial commitments; identify cost savings and efficiencies.
Direct the administration of commissioning and construction contracts and oversee construction administration, including RFIs, submittals, field observations, change orders, inspections, commissioning, and closeout.
Ensure delivery complies with university standards, maintainability requirements, sustainability objectives, and operational expectations; promote consistent documentation and construction quality.
Support planning and construction of research laboratories, specialized facilities, utility systems, and mission-critical infrastructure; coordinate projects affecting research and specialized academic operations while minimizing disruption and supporting continuity.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, building codes, accessibility requirements, and university policies; coordinate governmental approvals and oversee construction safety and contractor safety compliance.
Identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks affecting schedule, budget, quality, operations, or institutional reputation.
Support consultant and contractor procurement, including RFQs, RFPs, bid evaluations, negotiations, and contract recommendations; evaluate performance, ensure procurement compliance, and resolve complex contractual and construction disputes.
Serve as the primary liaison for construction-related initiatives and build relationships with academic leadership, researchers, administrators, students, and external stakeholders.
Prepare regular project updates for executive leadership, governing boards, and campus stakeholders, and communicate project impacts, schedules, milestones, and construction activities.
Develop project management best practices, performance standards, KPIs, and reporting systems; use project management technology and data analytics to improve efficiency and accountability.
Benchmark departmental performance against peer R1 institutions and industry practices; support sustainability, resiliency, asset lifecycle management, and energy efficiency initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the University's mission and strategic objectives.