Director of Construction – Capital Projects

Clarkson University David D. Reh School of Business

. Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the University’s capital construction and major renovation program .

Posted 10/6/2026full-timePotsdam • New York • United StatesLead💰 $120,000 - $150,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strong leadership in managing capital construction and renovation projects, with expertise in project budgeting, scheduling, and compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements. Proven ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and deliver complex projects in a higher education environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Capital Project ManagementConstruction ManagementBudget ManagementStakeholder CommunicationProject Risk Mitigation

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Project SchedulingContract AdministrationChange Order ManagementConstruction Document ReviewCost EstimationProject ControlsFeasibility StudiesQuality AssuranceSafety ManagementVendor Management

Soft Skills

Problem-SolvingDecision-MakingNegotiationOrganizational SkillsAttention to Detail

Certifications & Qualifications

PMPCCMPERA

Industry Keywords

Higher EducationFacilities ManagementCapital PlanningDeferred MaintenanceConstruction Management At-RiskDesign-BuildPublic ProcurementInstitutional EnvironmentTechnical Complex FacilitiesMulti-Year Capital Program

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the University’s capital construction and major renovation program
Lead implementation of the University’s multi-year capital renovation and modernization program
Develop and maintain capital project plans, schedules, budgets, priorities, project controls, reporting systems, documentation, and performance standards
Translate institutional and academic priorities into executable capital projects
Coordinate multiple simultaneous campus projects and establish appropriate project delivery strategies
Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies
Ensure project commissioning, closeout, turnover, warranty administration, and documentation
Assist with long-term capital planning, facility needs evaluation, project proposals, deferred maintenance requirements, and project prioritization
Lead or oversee project scopes, programming requirements, feasibility studies, cost estimates, schedules, and implementation plans
Select and manage architects, engineers, construction managers, contractors, commissioning agents, consultants, and other professional service providers
Review project documents and recommendations and monitor design development
Oversee bidding, procurement, contract administration, construction, and project closeout
Monitor construction progress, quality, safety, schedule, and financial performance
Manage change orders, claims, allowances, contingencies, and unforeseen conditions
Coordinate construction with ongoing University operations, including project phasing and temporary relocations
Directly supervise the Deferred Projects Manager and oversee deferred maintenance and smaller capital projects
Establish priorities and performance expectations for the deferred maintenance and smaller capital project portfolio
Develop, monitor, and forecast project budgets, expenditures, commitments, costs, contingencies, and available funds
Review contractor payment applications, change orders, and consultant invoices
Prepare capital project financial reports for the Associate Vice President and senior University leadership
Coordinate with campus leadership and departments including Environmental Health and Safety, Information Technology, Finance, Procurement, and Campus Security
Maintain stakeholder communication and provide executive-level project updates, dashboards, presentations, and recommendations
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, building codes, accessibility, environmental, procurement, and University requirements
Monitor project quality, construction safety, operational risks, records, and documentation
Establish expectations, assign responsibilities, evaluate performance, develop staff capabilities, and distribute workload
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Associate degree in construction management, engineering, facilities management, project management, business administration, architecture or a closely related field
At least 5 or more years of experience managing construction, capital projects, facilities projects, or a comparable combination of education and experience
Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent construction or renovation projects
Demonstrated experience managing project budgets, schedules, contracts, consultants, contractors, and change orders
Experience managing projects in an occupied institutional environment, preferably higher education, engineering, research, healthcare, manufacturing, or similar complex environment
Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
Demonstrated supervisory or management experience
Strong construction and project-management expertise
Strong financial and budget-management skills
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Excellent contract and vendor management skills
Strong understanding of construction documents, design processes, estimating, scheduling, and project controls
Ability to understand and communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences
Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Ability to establish priorities and make sound judgements in a complex institutional environment
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to operate effectively with changing priorities and competing demands
Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record
Ability to work evenings, on-call duties, and/or weekends as needed
Preferred: Professional certification such as PMP, CCM, PE, RA, or related credential
Preferred: Experience in higher education facilities or capital construction
Preferred: Experience managing or overseeing a multi-year capital construction and renovation program of $20 million or more, or equivalent experience
Preferred: Experience with laboratory, research, engineering, advanced manufacturing, health sciences, or other technically complex facilities
Preferred: Experience with construction management at-risk, design-build, or other alternative project delivery methods
Preferred: Experience with public or institutional procurement processes
Preferred: Experience with capital planning, facilities master planning, or deferred maintenance programs

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer
Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities
Background check and credential verification as part of employment offer