Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

TheHiveCareers; San Juan (PR); On-site; USD 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

TheHiveCareers is seeking an accomplished Chief Executive Officer to steer strategic growth, optimize operations, and enhance long-term value across a diversified Construction & Real Estate business. You will lead strategy, governance, and high-stakes partnerships to deliver sustainable results.

Ideal candidates bring 15+ years in senior leadership, proven P&L oversight, and a track record of transforming construction and real estate portfolios while driving growth and efficiency across multiple

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in construction/real estate/infrastructure.
• Previous CEO/MD/COO-level experience.
• Proven track record managing large multi-disciplinary P&Ls and complex projects.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen including budgeting and capital allocation.
• Experience with major contractors, investors, and government stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute short-, medium-, and long-term corporate strategy.
• Own P&L, cash flow, profitability, and financial performance.
• Oversee construction portfolio, major development projects, and governance.
• Lead real estate development, acquisitions, and asset optimization.
• Drive revenue growth, market expansion, and strategic partnerships.
• Ensure governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Build, lead, and retain an elite executive team with succession planning.
• Represent the company with board, investors, regulators, and key stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

P&L Management

Real Estate Development

Construction & Project Management

Negotiation

Risk Management

Executive Team Leadership

Decision Making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Real Estate/Finance

MBA or Master’s degree preferred

Job description

About The Role

We are seeking an accomplished and commercially driven Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the strategic growth, operational performance, and long-term value creation of a diversified Construction & Real Estate business.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy & Corporate Leadership
   Develop and execute the company's short-, medium-, and long-term corporate strategy.
   Lead business expansion across construction, property development, real estate investment, and related businesses.
   Identify new markets, development opportunities, strategic partnerships, and investment opportunities.
   Establish clear organizational objectives, KPIs, budgets, and performance targets.
   Provide strategic recommendations and regular business updates to the Board.
2. P&L & Financial Management
   Take full ownership of the company's P&L, cash flow, profitability, and financial performance.
   Develop annual budgets, forecasts, capital plans, and investment strategies.
   Improve margins, operational efficiency, working capital, and return on invested capital.
   Oversee project economics, development feasibility, financing structures, and capital allocation.
   Maintain strong relationships with banks, investors, institutional partners, and other financial stakeholders.
3. Construction & Project Delivery
   Provide executive oversight of the company's construction portfolio and major development projects.
   Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, to specification, and in compliance with applicable standards.
   Establish strong project governance, cost controls, procurement processes, and risk-management frameworks.
   Monitor contractor, consultant, supplier, and project-partner performance.
   Ensure robust health, safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory standard across operations.
4. Real Estate Development & Investment
   Lead the identification, evaluation, acquisition, development, and commercialization of real estate opportunities.
   Oversee land acquisition, feasibility studies, master planning, development approvals, construction, sales/leasing, and asset disposition.
   Evaluate development pipelines and investment proposals based on market demand, risk, and expected returns.
   Build and maintain relationships with landowners, developers, investors, government authorities, brokers, and strategic partners.
   Drive portfolio optimization and maximize the value of the company's real estate assets.
5. Business Development & Commercial Growth
   Develop and execute strategies to increase revenue, market share, and profitability.
   Build relationships with major corporate clients, government entities, institutional investors, developers, and strategic partners.
   Lead negotiations for major contracts, joint ventures, development agreements, and strategic partnerships.
   Identify opportunities for diversification and new revenue streams.
   Strengthen the company's market reputation and competitive positioning.
6. Governance, Risk & Compliance
   Ensure the organization operates in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, contractual obligations, and corporate governance standards.
   Establish enterprise-wide risk-management practices covering financial, operational, legal, construction, market, and investment risks.
   Maintain strong governance across subsidiaries, projects, joint ventures, and investments.
   Ensure transparency, accountability, and effective internal controls.
7. Leadership & Organizational Development
   Build, lead, and retain a high-performing executive leadership team.
   Develop organizational structures and talent strategies aligned with business growth.
   Establish a culture focused on accountability, execution, innovation, safety, and commercial performance.
   Coach and develop senior leaders and ensure effective succession planning.
   Promote collaboration across construction, development, finance, commercial, legal, sales, and operations functions.
8. Stakeholder & Government Relations
   Act as the principal representative of the company with the Board, investors, regulators, government authorities, financial institutions, clients, partners, and community stakeholders.
   Develop strong relationships with government and regulatory bodies relevant to construction and real estate development.
   Represent the organization at industry events, investment forums, and strategic business engagements.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Revenue and EBITDA/PAT growth
• Overall P&L performance
• Project delivery against budget and timelines
• Gross margins and project profitabilityReal estate portfolio growth and asset value creation
• Return on invested capital
• New business and development pipeline
• Cash flow and working-capital performance
• Customer and stakeholder satisfaction
• Safety and quality performance
• Employee engagement and leadership development
• Strategic partnerships and market expansion

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience, with significant senior management exposure in construction, real estate, property development, infrastructure, engineering, or a closely related sector.
• Previous experience as CEO, Managing Director, Deputy CEO, COO, Executive Director, Business Unit President, or equivalent senior leadership position.
• Proven experience managing a large-scale P&L and multidisciplinary organization.
• Demonstrated success in construction project delivery and/or real estate development.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budgeting, investment analysis, cash-flow management, and capital allocation.
• Proven track record of business growth, market expansion, and value creation.
• Experience managing major contractors, developers, consultants, investors, financial institutions, and government stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, development economics, procurement, project risk, and real estate markets.

Preferred Experience

• Experience managing a diversified construction and real estate group or holding company.
• Exposure to large-scale residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, hospitality, infrastructure, or urban-development projects.
• Experience with joint ventures, PPPs, institutional investors, private equity, or international development partners.
• Experience leading organizational transformation, restructuring, or rapid business expansion.
• International or multi-country experience is highly desirable.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Real Estate, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree/MBA is preferred.
• Professional qualifications in engineering, project management, finance, real estate, or related fields will be advantageous.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Commercial & Financial Acumen
• P&L Management
• Real Estate Development
• Construction & Project Management
• Investment & Capital Allocation
• Business Development
• Negotiation & Contract Management
• Risk Management
• Corporate Governance
• Stakeholder Management
• Government Relations
• Organizational Transformation
• Executive Team Leadership
• Decision-Making & Problem Solving

Leadership Characteristics

• Commercially aggressive but financially disciplined
• Strategic yet highly execution-oriented
• Comfortable managing complex and high-value projects
• A strong negotiator and relationship builder
• Data-driven and financially sophisticated
• Capable of operating effectively with Boards, investors, governments, and major clients
• Comfortable making high-stakes decisions in complex and rapidly changing environments
• A builder of strong leadership teams and organizational culture