Director of Capital Projects

New Direction New Orleans•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

The Director of Capital Projects is responsible for the planning, coordination, and delivery of the City of New Orleans’ capital improvement program. Operating within the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and reporting to the Deputy CAO of Infrastructure, this role ensures that major infrastructure and facility investments are delivered on time, on budget, and in alignment with citywide priorities. The Director serves as the City’s central point of accountability for capital project delivery, coordinating across departments, utilities, and external partners to ensure high-quality execution and transparent communication with residents. The Director will deliver well-planned, well-managed capital projects that improve streets, facilities, drainage, and public infrastructure and which are completed on schedule, within budget, and with clear communication to the public.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
At least 10–12 years of experience managing complex capital projects or infrastructure programs, preferably in a municipal or public-sector environment.
Demonstrated experience delivering large, multi-year capital programs involving multiple funding sources and stakeholders.
Strong project management, budgeting, and contract administration skills.
Exceptional coordination, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to manage cross-departmental teams and external partners.
Commitment to transparency, accountability, and resident-focused public service.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with federal and state funding programs (e.g., DOT, FEMA, HUD, resilience or infrastructure grants) preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan, manage, and oversee the City’s capital improvement program, ensuring alignment with the Mayor’s priorities, adopted capital budgets, and long-term infrastructure plans.
Direct the planning, design, procurement, and construction phases of capital projects across multiple departments, ensuring adherence to scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards.
Serve as the central coordinating entity for capital projects involving Public Works, Property Management, Resilience and Sustainability, Parks & Parkways, and other departments to reduce duplication and improve sequencing.
Support the Deputy CAO of Infrastructure in convening and staffing the Capital Cabinet or equivalent coordination body to align funding, scheduling, and execution of major projects.
Coordinate with Finance and Budget staff to track capital expenditures, manage cash flow, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local funding requirements, including grants and bond proceeds.
Oversee consultant and contractor performance; enforce contract terms; manage change orders; and ensure accountability for cost, schedule, and deliverables.
Publish and maintain a citywide capital project tracker and provide regular public updates on project status, timelines, and impacts to residents and businesses.
Identify risks to project delivery and implement mitigation strategies; establish performance metrics and dashboards to track progress and outcomes.
Coordinate capital delivery with utilities, transportation agencies, and regional partners to minimize conflicts, improve sequencing, and reduce disruption to residents.