Director of Construction

The Little Light House Central Kentucky, Inc.; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville seeks an experienced Director of Construction to lead residential construction operations and supervise a team responsible for building affordable homes in Louisville. You will provide strategic leadership and hands-on oversight of projects, budgets, safety, and partners while advancing HFHML’s mission.

The role requires strong construction knowledge, exceptional leadership, and proven project-management skills, with a focus on safety, quality, and

Qualifications

• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible residential construction or construction management experience.
• Experience in single-family residential construction is strongly preferred.
• Working Knowledge of the International Residential Code (IRC).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, and Word.
• Proficiency with project management software.
• Knowledge of Louisville Metro’s building codes, permitting requirements and inspection processes.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, homebuyers, contractors, vendors, funders, and community partners.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, with strong organizational, problem solving and time management skills.
• Experience working with volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and/or community-based construction projects is preferred.
• Passion for Habitat’s mission and commitment to advancing affordable housing solutions in Louisville.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain written project plans for all single-family investment projects, collaborating with Project Managers to ensure timely completion.
• Oversee job site safety, ensuring compliance with HFHML policies, OSHA standards, and other safety requirements.
• Coordinate with internal departments to align construction schedules with sponsor commitments, grant timelines, and homebuyer expectations.
• Balance construction productivity, quality, and schedule requirements with Habitat’s commitment to providing safe, meaningful, and rewarding volunteer experiences.
• Ensure consistent and effective use of project management systems, including Monday.com.
• Ensure house plan portfolio meets Kentucky Building Code, HFHI Building Standards, and Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) requirements.
• Partner with the Chief Program Officer to create and monitor construction budgets, ensuring responsible use of resources.
• Oversee project budgets, working with Project Managers to ensure projects are delivered on or under budget.
• Negotiate contracts and pricing with vendors and subcontractors to maximize value.
• Oversee warehouse operations to ensure efficient material use and inventory management.
• Lead, supervise, and develop the Construction team, including the Project Managers, Site Supervisors, Foreman, and Coordinators.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and growth opportunities while holding team members accountable to expectations.
• Oversee onboarding, training, performance management, and recognition processes of team members.
• Foster a positive, mission‑driven team culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, and respect.
• Manage and support volunteers at events and projects, ensuring safe, rewarding, and meaningful experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Planning & Execution

Problem Solving & Judgment

Communication & Relationship Building

Safety & Quality

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Word

Project management software

Monday.com

Job description

Director of Construction

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville brings our community together to build stable homes, strong relationships, and healthy neighborhoods. Our homeownership program empowers low-income families to invest in themselves and their communities. In addition to our homeownership program, we believe in revitalizing and investing in our city’s most underserved neighborhoods through home repairs and beautification projects.

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville is seeking an experienced construction leader to direct our residential construction operations and lead the team responsible for building quality, affordable homes throughout Louisville. The Director of Construction provides both strategic leadership and hands‑on operational oversight of our construction program, including people, projects, budgets, schedules, safety, quality, vendors, subcontractors, and volunteers.

The successful candidate will combine strong residential construction knowledge with excellent leadership and project-management skills. We are looking for someone who can develop people, solve problems, manage multiple projects, build strong relationships with contractors and partners, and continuously improve how we build homes. This is an opportunity to apply significant construction experience to work that has a direct and lasting impact on families and neighborhoods throughout Louisville.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Develop and maintain written project plans for all single-family investment projects, collaborating with Project Managers to ensure timely completion
• Oversee job site safety, ensuring compliance with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville (HFHML) policies, OSHA standards, and other safety requirements
• Coordinate with internal departments to align construction schedules with sponsor commitments, grant timelines, and homebuyer expectations
• Balance construction productivity, quality, and schedule requirements with Habitat’s commitment to providing safe, meaningful, and rewarding volunteer experiences
• Ensure consistent and effective use of project management systems, including Monday.com
• Ensure house plan portfolio meets Kentucky Building Code, HFHI Building Standards, and Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) requirements.

Fiscal and Resource Management

• Partner with the Chief Program Officer to create and monitor construction budgets, ensuring responsible use of resources
• Oversee project budgets, working with Project Managers to ensure projects are delivered on or under budget
• Negotiate contracts and pricing with vendors and subcontractors to maximize value
• Oversee warehouse operations to ensure efficient material use and inventory management

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure all construction activities comply with federal, state, and local regulations
• Maintain HFHI “Competent Person” training standards, ensuring sufficient staff certifications
• Guarantee grant compliance related to budgets, timelines, design, and reporting standards
• Ensure volunteers are trained and supported in compliance with HFHML safety and participation policies

Leadership

• Lead, supervise, and develop the Construction team, including the Project Managers, Site Supervisors, Foreman, and Coordinators
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and growth opportunities while holding team members accountable to expectations
• Oversee onboarding, training, performance management, and recognition processes of team members
• Foster a positive, mission‑driven team culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, and respect
• Manage and support volunteers at events and projects, ensuring safe, rewarding, and meaningful experiences

Behavioral Competencies

• Leadership & People Development – Sets clear expectations, develops staff, holds people accountable, and builds a collaborative, high‑performing construction team
• Planning & Execution – Effectively manages multiple projects, people, schedules, budgets, and resources to consistently deliver results
• Problem Solving & Judgment – Anticipates issues, evaluates options, makes sound decisions, and responds effectively when plans change
• Communication & Relationship Building – Builds productive relationships and communicates effectively with employees, volunteers, homeowners, contractors, vendors, and community partners
• Safety & Quality – Creates a culture in which safety, workmanship, compliance, and accountability are fundamental expectations.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Working Environment & Conditions

• Ability to travel locally for projects and events
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty pounds
• This position requires working in an office and construction environment
• This position is full‑time and is an exempt role. Working hours may be required outside of the standard business day, and nights and Saturdays will periodically be required due to scope of responsibility
• Valid Kentucky driver’s license

Habitat is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Habitat encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible residential construction or construction management experience, including demonstrated experience leading people, projects, budgets, and schedules
• Experience in single‑family residential construction is strongly preferred
• Working Knowledge of the International Residential Code (IRC)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, and Word
• Proficiency with project management software
• Knowledge of Louisville Metro’s building codes, permitting requirements and inspection processes
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, homebuyers, contractors, vendors, funders, and community partners
• The ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, with strong organizational, problem solving and time management skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet project deadlines
• Experience working with volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and/or community‑based construction projects is preferred
• Passion for Habitat’s mission and commitment to advancing affordable housing solutions in Louisville.