Associate Director - Project Management - Construction Administration

Position Title: Associate Director - Project Management - Construction Administration Position Location: Remote - work virtually from anywhere in the United States SALARY DLB recognizes salary ranges from job boards do not necessarily reflect our pay ranges. In many instances we out-compete those ranges for well-qualified candidates. JOB SUMMARY The Associate Director, Project Management, Construction Administration provides strategic leadership for the Project Management, Construction Administration (PM-CA) department within DLB's Design Department, overseeing the project management teams responsible for construction administration on mission critical and data center projects. This role is responsible for defining the Design Department's goals, direction, and standards for functioning in construction administration, driving operational excellence, and ensuring successful execution of business objectives. Reporting to a Division Director, the Associate Director is accountable for departmental performance, staffing strategy, resource planning, client relationship management, and the quality and consistency of construction administration services delivered across all projects. This leader manages the Senior Project Managers and Project Managers who lead the design and construction administration phases of projects, including site visits, field reporting, RFI responses, submittal and change order reviews, punchlists, and implementation of contractor redlines and record drawings. The Associate Director serves as a senior organizational leader with broad decision-making authority, influencing how the Design Department engages in construction administration, standardizing CA processes and deliverables, and strengthening the connection between design and field execution. Success in this role requires balancing strategic planning with operational execution while fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture that supports DLB's organizational goals and client commitments. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Departmental Leadership and Strategic Direction (≤40%) Define and communicate the Design Department's goals, direction, and standards for functioning in construction administration. Establish and execute PM-CA departmental priorities and strategic initiatives in alignment with divisional objectives. Oversee delivery of construction administration services across all assigned projects and client programs, ensuring consistency, quality, and client satisfaction. Monitor departmental performance metrics and provide reporting, recommendations, and operational insights to the Division Director. Monitor operational risks across the construction administration portfolio and proactively recommend solutions. Partner with department leadership to shape organizational strategy and structure as construction administration service offerings grow. Lead change management initiatives and cultivate a high-performance culture within the PM-CA team. Construction Administration Standards and Continuous Improvement (≥25%) Develop and implement policies, standards, workflows, and best practices for construction administration phase execution, including site visits, field reports, RFI responses, submittal and change order reviews, punchlists, and record drawings. Establish QA / QC expectations for construction administration deliverables and ensure alignment with project scope and DLB guidelines. Standardize coordination protocols between internal design trades, external team members, and contractors. Ensure construction administration processes integrate effectively with design phase workflows across the Design Department. Develop recommendations using operational metrics and reporting to improve departmental performance. Team Development and Resource Management (≥20%) Manage, coach, and mentor the Senior Project Managers and Project Managers responsible for construction administration execution. Lead resource forecasting, staffing coordination, and workload planning across projects and client programs. Support hiring, staffing strategies, succession planning, and organizational growth for the department. Conduct performance management and leadership development for direct reports. Assist in planning, budgeting, and operational coordination, maintaining accountability for departmental utilization and profitability. Client and Market Leadership (≥15%) Serve as senior relationship owner for strategic and major clients receiving construction administration services. Serve as the escalation point for client concerns during the construction phase and ensure timely resolution. Support proposals, presentations, and business development for construction administration services within the data center and MEP consulting sectors. Anticipate client and market shifts, aligning construction administration service offerings and capabilities accordingly. Technology and Data-Driven Decision Making Champion technology strategy and digital transformation initiatives within the department, including construction management platforms such as Procore. Drive the adoption of AI-enabled tools, data analytics, and workflow automation to improve forecasting, documentation, reporting, and quality processes. Ensure technology solutions align with DLB standards for data security, privacy, and operational integrity. Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned. POSITION REQUIREMENTS (ADVANCED LEVEL FOR ALL THE FOLLOWING) Knowledge of MEP / FA / FP trades and the general requirements for each Knowledge of construction administration procedures, project management best practices, and industry trends Knowledge of materials, methods, and tools involved in the construction of mission critical, commercial buildings or other structures Knowledge of the importance of the Method of Procedure (MOP) process and work notifications Operational leadership across multiple project teams or client programs Resource forecasting, staffing coordination, and workload management Budget management and operational planning Client relationship management and program oversight Performance management, coaching, mentoring, and leadership development Experience utilizing operational metrics and reporting to support decision making Skilled at using MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams) and construction management software such as Procore Ability to leverage AI and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, optimize operational processes, and contribute to company-wide innovation Ability to analyze complex business challenges, develop strategic solutions, and execute organizational initiatives Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, employees, clients, and external stakeholders Ability to effectively plan, prioritize, and delegate work across multiple teams and leadership levels Ability to work successfully in a remote environment through effective communication, self-motivation, proactiveness, and strong organizational skills Ability to follow company and site safety requirements PHYSICAL DEMANDS The following physical demands must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is Frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Frequently moving through office, facility, and other environments. On occasion, may move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. TRAVEL / RELOCATION REQUIREMENTS Up to 25%, this may include travel to any or all 50 US states, including periodic project site visits during construction Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meeting for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc. EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS B.S. degree in mechanical, electrical, architectural, structural, industrial or civil engineering or construction management OR 12 years of additional experience in related field in lieu of degree PLUS Minimum of 12 years of industry related experience Minimum of 5 years of onsite / field or construction administration experience Minimum of 2 years experience in a leadership or management level position, with a demonstrated record of people leadership in previous roles Benefits DLB Associates offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option) Flex spending accounts (FSA) Dental and vision plans Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance Paid parental leave after one year of employment CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC residents only: In accordance with CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC law, the range provided is DLB's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and location. DLB Associates is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and participates in the E-Verify program with the Department of Homeland Security. We encourage diversity in our workforce. Are you ready to challenge yourself and redefine standards in the AEC industry? Apply now and join our award-winning team!​ ​NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES: DLB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to DLB in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where DLB has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of DLB and DLB will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service. DLB Associates is a premier engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative, mission-critical solutions across hyperscale data centers, advanced infrastructure, and high-performance building systems. With over four decades of expertise, we partner with some of the world’s most influential companies to design and optimize environments that demand precision, scalability, and resilience. Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority.