Director of Construction and Real Estate

Coherent Corp.; Dieburg; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Pension plan

Health & wellbeing programmes

Life and income protection

Flexible-working arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

Employee recognition programs

Job summary

Coherent is seeking a Director of Real Estate & Construction Project Management to lead a diverse portfolio across Europe, collaborating with regional leaders and the global facilities function. You will oversee scope, budgets, vendors and schedules, while driving improvements in space utilization and cost efficiency.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field and 10+ years in engineering/construction management, with 5+ years in corporate project leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management or related field.
• 10+ years in engineering or construction management; 5+ years managing corporate projects.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and contractors simultaneously.
• Knowledge of safety, EH&S requirements and handling hazardous substances.
• Experience with cleanroom environments or semiconductor manufacturing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead a diverse portfolio of real estate, construction and facilities initiatives across Europe.
• Partner with regional leaders and global facilities to align priorities and plans.
• Coordinate architects and contractors; develop specs, RFPs and oversee selection.
• Manage budgets, contracts, schedules and risks; report to senior leaders.
• Support planning and budgeting for equipment, labour and materials.
• Maintain regional facilities metrics and KPI reporting; report to global head of facilities.
• Identify space-utilization improvements and reduce costs while preserving service.
• Assess risks and support site closures and complex facility changes.
• Standardize facilities practices and improve cross-site coordination.
• Handle confidential technical and business information with sound judgment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Presentation

Organization

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management or related field

Tools

Building Management Systems (BMS)

Job description

Coherent is a global leader in photonics, developing advanced laser, optical and materials technologies that enable semiconductor manufacturing, AI infrastructure, advanced communications and precision industrial applications worldwide.

Director, Real Estate & Construction Project Management

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead a diverse portfolio of real estate, construction and facilities initiatives across Europe, from early planning and scope definition through delivery and handover.
• Partner with regional business leaders, local facility teams and the global facilities function in a matrixed organization, aligning priorities and turning business needs into practical plans.
• Coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, vendors and contractors; develop specifications and RFPs; support contractor selection; and oversee work to agreed quality, safety, schedule and budget standards.
• Manage project budgets, resources, contracts, schedules and risks, providing clear, consistent capital-project updates and recommendations to senior leaders.
• Support local facility leaders with planning and budgeting for modifications, including estimates for equipment, labour, materials and related costs.
• Maintain regional facilities-footprint metrics in line with corporate standards and report regularly to the global head of facilities.
• Identify opportunities to improve space utilization and reduce facilities, utilities and investment costs while protecting service quality and operational reliability.
• Assess operational and project risks, develop mitigation plans, and support site closures and other complex facility changes when required.
• Help standardize facilities practices, strengthen KPI reporting and improve coordination across sites.
• Handle confidential technical, operational and business information with sound judgment.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management or a related field.
• At least 10 years’ experience in engineering or construction management, including 5 or more years managing construction projects in a corporate environment.
• Experience leading multiple projects and contractors at the same time, with a strong record of managing scope, cost, schedule and delivery.
• Strong project and construction management capability, including scope development, equipment-layout planning, RFP development, contractor selection and construction oversight.
• Knowledge of safety and environmental requirements, EH&S practices and the handling of hazardous or toxic substances.
• Understanding of cleanroom environments, tool installation and equipment hookups; experience in semiconductor, laser or other advanced manufacturing environments would be an advantage.
• Familiarity with work-order platforms, KPI reporting and building management systems (BMS).
• Excellent organization, leadership, communication and presentation skills, including the ability to explain project status and recommendations to audiences at different levels.
• A collaborative, influential approach, with the judgment to work through differing views, negotiate constructively and draw on the expertise of others.
• The ability to turn plans and goals into action, engage teams, evaluate progress and provide useful feedback and solutions.
• Fluent written and spoken English, with high standards of ethics and professionalism.

What We Offer

Our benefits vary by country and role. Depending on your location, your package may include:

• Competitive base salary and annual incentive eligibility
• Employer-supported pension or retirement provision
• Health, wellbeing and employee-assistance programmes
• Life and income-protection benefits
• Flexible-working arrangements, where compatible with the role
• Learning and professional-development opportunities
• Employee recognition and share programmes.

Our ICARE Values

• Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
• Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
• Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
• Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
• Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!