Director of Design & Construction - Branch Real Estate

Edward Jones

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Edward Jones manages one of the largest corporate real estate portfolios in the country, with more branch offices nationwide than McDonald's has restaurants in the U.S. and an average of 3.5 new branches opening every day. As Director of Design & Construction, Branch Real Estate, you will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the future of our national branch network. Leading a high-performing team, you will oversee the delivery of complex design and construction projects across a large and dynamic portfolio, driving excellence in execution, financial stewardship, and stakeholder partnership. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence both the built environment and the professional growth of your team. Working closely with senior leaders, you will help advance enterprise strategy while mentoring and developing talent, championing innovation, and ensuring best-in-class project delivery within one of the nation's largest commercial real estate organizations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
10+ years of experience leading design and construction projects in a corporate or multi‑site environment.
Demonstrated experience managing and mentoring project managers and design professionals.
Proven ability to manage large‑volume project portfolios with significant capital spend.
Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
Experience managing external partners including architects, contractors, and landlords.
Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting financial services, and/or other large branch‑based portfolios.
Familiarity with standardized design systems and brand rollouts.
Professional certifications such as PMP, CCM, RA, or PE.
Experience implementing process improvements and delivery best practices at scale.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of design and construction projects across a large branch office portfolio, including new locations, renovations, relocations, and decommissions.
Develop and manage a multi-year project roadmap, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, on budget, and in alignment with business objectives and brand standards.
Oversee project budgets, forecasts, capital and operating expenditures, and financial controls, partnering closely with Finance and Procurement to drive cost-effective outcomes.
Establish governance, risk management, and compliance processes, ensuring adherence to safety standards, building codes, accessibility requirements, and company policies.
Serve as the senior escalation point for complex project risks, issues, and stakeholder concerns while driving standardized processes and continuous improvement across the portfolio.
Build strong partnerships with Transaction Management, Procurement, Legal, Risk, IT, Facilities, and Operations to ensure seamless project execution and integration.
Lead relationships with architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, landlords, and government agencies, ensuring high-quality deliverables and strong vendor performance.
Hire, develop, and lead a high-performing team of designers and project managers, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and operational excellence.
Oversee and coordinate design and construction activities performed by external service providers to ensure compliance with project requirements, quality standards, and timelines.