Capital Projects Leader — Sustainable Construction

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Flexible spending accounts

Disability & life insurance

Paid time off

Park discounts

Free passes

Job summary

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden seeks a Director of Capital Projects to lead the full lifecycle of the Zoo's capital program, from planning to turnover. You will act as the owner’s representative for major external CM projects and directly manage smaller CapEx initiatives, ensuring safety, budgets, and schedules are met.

Responsibilities include coordinating with architects and contractors, leading a small team, ensuring sustainable design practices, and delivering projects that align with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent significant experience in construction-related field.
• Progressive experience delivering complex construction and capital projects from planning through turnover.
• Hands-on knowledge of estimating, scheduling, procurement, contracts, change management, and closeout.
• Strong financial acumen for budgets, forecasts, bids, contingencies, and payments.
• LEED experience or accreditation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of the Zoo's capital portfolio from concept to turnover.
• Establish budgets, schedules, scopes, decision points, and accountability; identify risks early.
• Maintain field presence, coordinate construction within an active Zoo environment to protect animals, guests, staff, and operations.
• Provide concise reporting on project status, cost, schedule, risk, and issues.
• Serve as primary owner representative for major capital projects (> $1 million) delivered by external CM.
• Hold CM accountable for safety, quality, budget, schedule, and sustainability.
• Review estimates, schedules, procurement plans, and change orders; surface and resolve issues.
• Coordinate among CM, architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, vendors, and Zoo stakeholders.
• Communicate and decide across internal groups to align design with operational milestones.
• Translate operational needs into design direction for partners.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Budgeting

Communication

Sustainability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Facilities Management, or related discipline

Equivalent significant experience

Job description

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden seeks a Director of Capital Projects to lead the full lifecycle of the Zoo's capital program, from planning to turnover. You will act as the owner’s representative for major external CM projects and directly manage smaller CapEx initiatives, ensuring safety, budgets, and schedules are met.

Responsibilities include coordinating with architects and contractors, leading a small team, ensuring sustainable design practices, and delivering projects that align with