National Director – Federal Operations, Special Projects

Willdan

. Establish and execute strategy for Federal Construction Operations aligned with WPE’s federal growth plans and business objectives .

Posted 11/7/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $200,000 - $240,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in federal construction operations, project delivery, and compliance with federal regulations. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage large project portfolios, and drive business development initiatives in the federal sector.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Federal Construction Project LeadershipEnergy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC)FAR and DFARS ComplianceProject Controls EstablishmentContractor Quality Control Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Construction ManagementProject DeliveryCost ForecastingRisk ManagementSchedulingEnergy InfrastructureBuilding AutomationHVAC SystemsPhotovoltaicsMicrogrids

Soft Skills

LeadershipCommunicationNegotiationDecision-MakingEthical Judgment

Tools & Technologies

ProcorePrimavera P6Microsoft ProjectProject Management SoftwareData Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

USACE Construction Quality Management (CQM)DBIAPMPGeneral Contractor License

Industry Keywords

Federal Contract VehiclesDesign-BuildCMARPublic-Private Partnerships (P3)Mission-Critical FacilitiesDavis-Bacon Prevailing WageCertified Payroll Requirements

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Establish and execute strategy for Federal Construction Operations aligned with WPE’s federal growth plans and business objectives
Build the federal delivery function, including organizational structure, staffing plan, procedures, and project controls
Define coordination between Federal and Special Projects and regional construction groups
Evaluate federal and special project pursuits, delivery capacity, and organizational risk exposure
Lead and oversee federal construction projects, including ESPC, UESC, and other federal contract vehicles
Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, agency technical standards, contract terms, federal labor requirements, and safety standards
Oversee delivery in operating federal facilities, including phasing, site access, security, and continuity of critical operations
Coordinate transition from development through design, construction, commissioning, measurement and verification, and operations
Lead special projects involving central plants, utility-scale and campus photovoltaics, BESS, microgrids, cogeneration, and campus-wide distribution systems
Support design-build, CMAR, and public-private partnership delivery models
Lead recovery efforts on troubled or at-risk projects
Establish project controls including baseline schedules, look-ahead scheduling, cost forecasting, and monthly project reviews
Maintain project risk registers with owners and mitigation plans
Oversee submittal, procurement, and long-lead equipment tracking
Manage requests for equitable adjustment, claims avoidance, and change order documentation
Establish contractor quality control programs and oversee documentation, inspections, testing, and closeout deliverables
Promote safety, accountability, ethical behavior, and regulatory compliance
Serve as operational lead with federal clients, Contracting Officers, facility managers, and agency program offices
Build relationships with clients, partners, subcontractors, engineers, financiers, and stakeholders
Support business development through pursuit strategy, past performance documentation, proposals, interviews, and presentations
Recruit, develop, mentor, and evaluate federal and special project teams
Develop federal delivery expertise through training
Hold accountability for portfolio revenue, gross margin, forecasting, and cash flow
Monitor project financial performance and drive corrective actions
Use project management software and data tools to improve transparency, reporting, and payment cycles
Capture lessons learned and lead continuous improvement initiatives

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
Minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in construction operations or project delivery, including demonstrated experience leading federal construction projects
Experience delivering energy savings performance contracts (ESPC) or UESCs strongly preferred
Experience with federal contract vehicles such as MATOC, MACC, or IDIQ task orders is a plus
Familiarity with the FAR and agency supplements such as DFARS, Contracting Officer authority, and federal change and closeout processes
Experience delivering projects in occupied, mission-critical facilities, such as VA medical centers, military installations, correctional facilities, and university campuses
Experience establishing and managing contractor quality control programs
USACE Construction Quality Management (CQM) certification preferred or obtained within six months of hire
Knowledge of EM 385-1-1, OSHA, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, and certified payroll requirements
Strong background in energy and infrastructure scopes including central plants, HVAC, building automation, electrical distribution, photovoltaics, BESS, and microgrids
Proven leadership experience building and managing multidisciplinary project teams across multiple states and regions
Demonstrated success establishing project controls functions and standardizing construction processes across regions
Track record of recovering troubled or delayed projects while maintaining broader leadership responsibilities
Experience with design-build, CMAR, P3, and performance contracting delivery models
Strong financial and business acumen, including management of large project portfolios, cost forecasting, and profitability
Experience supporting federal business development, including pursuit strategy, proposals, and interviews
Active general contractor licenses in multiple states, with ability to serve as a qualifying individual, strongly preferred
DBIA, PMP, or similar professional certification preferred
Ability to pass federal background investigations and obtain installation access; active security clearance is a plus
Proficiency with construction management, scheduling, and project controls software such as Procore, Primavera P6, and Microsoft Project
Strong communication, leadership, negotiation, and executive decision-making skills
Demonstrated ethical judgment, professionalism, and commitment to organizational values
Willingness to travel as required
Ability to travel up to 50% of the time

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equal opportunity employment
Reasonable accommodation for disabilities
Federal background investigation and installation access support
Professional development through training on federal contracting, quality control, safety, and compliance requirements
Opportunity to work on high-profile federal construction and special projects
Travel support as required for projects, clients, and operational teams