Director of Construction

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity•Olympia, WA

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The director of construction is instrumental in creating and implementing order and direction for our construction activities. They help establish long-range strategic direction, and then put in place the systems, people, and policies to meet them. Specifically, they are directly responsible for setting goals, building and monitoring budgets, hiring and developing a competent field team, creating detailed development and unit projects/schedules, acquiring and managing a land pipeline, coordinating predevelopment needs, and effectively communicating across interdependent internal work areas. Indirectly, through the management of their team and systems, the director ensures all construction projects are executed safely, on-time, on-budget and to quality standards. Additionally, as a part of our leadership structure, they help establish and maintain an effective, inspirational, and welcoming organization in support of our mission. You are an experienced professional with significant project management, construction, architectural, or real estate development know-how—and you want to put your expertise to service for mission-focused, non-traditional construction operations. You understand the critical importance of people development and multi-level planning, and you have the outstanding communication, project management, technology, and proactive leadership skills to grow and sustain effective, quality-oriented, volunteer-friendly home construction developments.

Requirements

At least seven years of work experience in construction, real estate development, or planning in a professional setting; residential preferred
At least three years of work experience in construction project management in a professional setting (may be a part of above)
At least three years of management/supervisory experience in a professional setting (may be a part of above)
Bachelor’s degree in related field (construction, real estate, urban planning, architecture, engineering, etc.) or equivalent combination of education and professional experience
Detailed knowledge of developing housing projects, within deadlines and budgets, from start to finish, including residential construction document creation and assessment, building practices, sequencing, and code compliance; interest in emerging practices
Ability and experience in implementing industry-standard construction safety management and overseeing industry-standard quality management practices
Proven ability to execute competitive, public funding-aligned bid and contracting processes.
Proficient with technology-based project management systems and common workplace productivity applications
Exceptionally organized with the ability to prioritize for scheduled and unexpected deadlines
Advanced relationship building skills and a facility for working constructively with a variety of people; strong verbal and competent written communications abilities
Positive and solution-oriented with track record of readying and motivating teams
Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
Ability to pass a background and reference check
Commitment to the South Puget Sound Habitat mission and core values

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with regional and state building/developer requirements (e.g. prevailing wage, apprenticeships, environmental reviews, permitting, inspections, etc.)
Positive existing relationships with regional vendors, subcontractors, and jurisdictional building departments
Understanding of challenges facing populations with low incomes
Familiarity and experience with Habitat for Humanity construction operations, generally

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the senior director of programs, colleagues, and board, shape the construction program components of the organization’s ongoing strategic and annual plans; ensure plan adherence and progress communication.
Develop construction budgets and budget monitoring practices; ensure funding compliance throughout projects.
Plan for and incorporate third-party compliance requirements into operational and project procedures and reporting.
Establish and set expectations for quality performance, including standards of accountability, construction methodology, task execution, project management, record keeping, external/internal communication, and relationship management.
Identify the necessary staffing and volunteer capacity and roles needed for construction objectives, meeting current demand, and anticipating/preparing for future growth.
Provide the leadership and team building necessary to recruit, hire, train, and retain a high-performance, safe, diverse workforce – including staff, subcontractors, and vendors – that continuously embraces the vision and values of South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity.
Develop land acquisition standards, policies, and timelines that address and balance homebuyer, community, and organizational use considerations.
Lead land acquisition and banking efforts to ensure a continuous three- to five-year development and production pipeline; leverage relationships and public and private programs to acquire and bank land as cost-effectively as possible.
Oversee and actively manage through to completion all pre-development activities, including but not limited to architect engagement, master planning, home design, due diligence, subcontracting, and permitting, ensuring compliance in each step.
Work across teams to facilitate meaningful community and homeowner input and communications on all developments.
Work with architects and marketing team to prepare illustrative site plans, etc. for marketing, fundraising, and communication purposes.
Build and maintain relationships necessary to influence land and production objectives (e.g. contracted specialists, staff in key jurisdictional departments, inspectors, donors, and volunteers, etc.).
Create and maintain adherence to detailed schedule and cost budget for each project, holding all related parties accountable to targets and bids; provide progress reports and forecasts.
Create and/or improve critical tools, programs, and team development opportunities for construction (e.g. safety management, quality-assurance protocols, take-off templates, task protocols, record-keeping integrity, project templates, staff training, etc.).
Integrate risk management and site security and maintenance protocols into all efforts; constantly evaluate for potential setbacks and creative opportunities; actively manage issues to adequate resolutions.
Oversee the management of all construction activity, ensuring the construction team is adequately resourced to successfully deliver complete and quality homes, providing expertise, counsel, and trouble-shooting resources to team as needed.
Ensure projects meet all deadlines and quality standards required of external funding sources and partners.
Establish a documented structure for project close-out, including, as appropriate, securing as-built surveys, appraisals, inspections, and completing all punch list items, paperwork, verifications, due diligence, etc., and managing properties to transfer.
Establish a construction site culture where staff are empowered to, and capable of, leading and motivating volunteers in the successful production of assigned projects.
Maintain a “team first” outlook, supporting the success of the team and the mission in attitude, ideas, and actions; lead by example and with active, creative input for growing and improving the organization.
Meet and endorse organization standards for record keeping and information sharing.
Contribute to organization events, helping as necessary with set up/take down, management, networking, various tasks, etc.
Participate in intentional learning efforts, including events relating to understanding institutional racism and building cultural competency.