Director II, Construction

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa•New York, NY

11d

About The Position

The Senior Director of Construction will oversee all aspects of design, development, and construction for a large-scale ($300MM+), complex mixed-use development project in New York City. This leader will be responsible for project delivery from conceptual design and entitlement through turnover, ensuring alignment of design vision, budget, schedule, quality, and compliance with NYC agency requirements. This is a high-visibility executive leadership role requiring strategic, technical, and managerial expertise in complex urban developments. The ideal candidate brings a track record of successfully managing full lifecycle delivery of large commercial, residential, or mixed-use projects in New York City.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
Minimum 15+ years of progressive experience managing large-scale, complex construction projects, preferably $300MM+ budget.
Proven leadership of full project lifecycle—from design and entitlement through construction and delivery—within NYC.
Strong understanding of NYC building codes, zoning, and agency approval processes.
Experience managing 3rd-party CMs and multiple design consultants concurrently.
Exceptional budgeting, scheduling, and contract negotiation skills.
Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams on complex developments.
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Nice To Haves

Deep network and relationships with NYC design professionals, CMs, and regulatory agencies.
Experience with mixed-use, commercial, or institutional projects.
Collaborative leadership style with a focus on proactive problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Strategic Oversight & Leadership Lead all phases of project execution—from entitlement, design, and preconstruction through construction and delivery.
Develop and implement project execution strategies that balance time, cost, quality, and design intent.
Serve as primary project executive representing the Owner’s interests with external stakeholders, city agencies, and partners.
Design & Development Management Oversee and coordinate design consultants (architects, engineers, specialty consultants) to ensure the design aligns with development objectives and budget.
Manage the design development process to maintain progress toward entitlements, design milestones, and procurement timelines.
Ensure all design documents meet regulatory and constructability standards.
Preconstruction & Procurement Develop and manage a comprehensive preconstruction plan including estimating, phasing, logistics, and value analysis.
Lead procurement strategy for project delivery, including selection and negotiation of 3rd-party Construction Manager (CM), major trade partners, and owner-direct vendors.
Oversee preparation of bid packages and ensure competitive pricing aligned with project targets.
Construction Management Provide executive direction and oversight to the Construction Manager and owner’s representative teams.
Monitor field activities to ensure compliance with safety, quality, schedule, and cost objectives.
Lead problem-solving efforts related to field conditions, design coordination, or construction sequencing.
Budget & Schedule Control Develop and maintain overall project budget and schedule, ensuring accurate forecasting and proactive risk mitigation.
Establish and monitor cost control systems, including cash flow projections and change management.
Report regularly to executive leadership on project performance metrics.
Entitlement & Agency Coordination Direct entitlement and permitting processes with NYC agencies, including DOB, DOT, DEP, FDNY, and others.
Manage relationships with city officials, community boards, and other regulatory bodies to facilitate approvals and ensure compliance.
Coordinate environmental reviews, zoning approvals, and public engagement as needed.
Stakeholder & Team Leadership Build and lead a high-performing internal project management team.
Foster collaboration among design consultants, CMs, and owner-direct vendors.
Act as a key interface between executive/development leadership and operating teams.