Director, Engineering & Operations, Construction

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University Health System seeks a Director, Engineering & Operations, Construction, to direct construction operations across a complex healthcare environment in Durham, NC. You will oversee capital projects, infrastructure renewal, and maintenance-related construction to support patient care and research.

Lead a team of superintendents, project managers, and skilled trades, ensuring safety, on-schedule delivery, and budget adherence while partnering with clinical leaders and facilities teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of construction services management experience.
• Preferred: Master's degree and healthcare/academic medical center experience.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, CCM, PE, RA, CHFM, LEED AP, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational direction for the Construction Division.
• Lead and develop a team of superintendents, managers, supervisors, and construction personnel.
• Direct planning, budgeting, design, construction, commissioning, and closeout of capital projects.
• Oversee compliance with codes, safety, infection control, and regulatory standards.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or equivalent

Master's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

PMP

CCM

PE

LEED AP

Job description

Director, Engineering & Operations, Construction

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 277341

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Be You.

Engineering & Operations is seeking an experienced, strategic leader to direct construction operations across a complex healthcare environment. This position is responsible for overseeing capital construction projects, infrastructure renewal initiatives, renovations, maintenance-related construction activities, and skilled trades construction services that support patient care, research, ambulatory and administrative operations.

The Director, E&O Construction Division provides leadership to superintendents, project managers, supervisors, project teams, and skilled trades personnel while ensuring construction services are delivered safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget. This role serves as a key partner to organizational leadership in planning and executing capital improvement initiatives, facility investments, and construction strategies that support the long‑term needs of the health system.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or an equivalent degree applicable to construction services.

Experience

Minimum of eight (8) years of construction services management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience leading construction operations within a healthcare, academic medical center, higher education, research, or similarly complex institutional environment.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing capital project portfolios, construction superintendents, operational managers, and skilled trades organizations.
• Experience managing significant operating and capital budgets.
• Knowledge of healthcare construction requirements, infection control risk assessments (ICRA), interim life safety measures (ILSM), and construction activities within occupied healthcare facilities.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, CCM, PE, RA, CHFM, LEED AP, or equivalent credentials.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change, workforce development initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.

Be Bold.

Leadership & Operations

• Provide strategic leadership and operational direction for the Construction Division.
• Lead and develop a team of superintendents, managers, supervisors, project professionals, and construction personnel.
• Establish departmental goals, priorities, performance expectations, and operational strategies.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, clinical leaders, facilities teams, architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants.

Capital Project Delivery

• Direct the planning, budgeting, design, construction, commissioning, and closeout of capital projects, renovations, and infrastructure improvements.
• Oversee a portfolio of construction projects while balancing competing priorities and organizational needs.
• Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Participate in capital planning efforts and provide recommendations regarding project prioritization, infrastructure renewal, and future facility investments.

Skilled Trades & Construction Oversight

• Provide direct oversight of construction project managers, superintendents and operational leaders responsible for construction activities and skilled trades work.
• Manage construction operations supporting renovation, service request, infrastructure, and maintenance‑related projects.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, workforce planning, succession planning, and resource allocation.
• Monitor operational performance and drive improvements in productivity, quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.
• Maintain responsibility for divisional operating and capital budgets.
• Lead financial planning, forecasting, and budget management activities.
• Review and approve project estimates, budgets, contracts, change orders, and expenditures.
• Monitor financial performance and implement strategies that promote fiscal accountability and operational efficiency.
• Provide leadership in evaluating capital investments, resource needs, equipment replacement, and long‑range construction planning.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, life safety requirements, infection control standards, Joint Commission requirements, and organizational policies.
• Maintain construction quality standards and regulatory compliance programs.
• Oversee construction‑related safety and risk management initiatives.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.