Director of Construction

Premier Executive Search; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Premier Executive Search is partnering with a growing real estate owner/operator to identify a Director of Construction & Building Compliance in New York City. You will oversee construction, building compliance, and capital improvements across a large residential portfolio.

The ideal candidate brings NYC regulatory expertise, proven project management experience, and the ability to lead complex programs while coordinating contractors, consultants, and city agencies.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in construction management, capital projects, building operations, facilities management, or building compliance.
• Strong understanding of New York City building regulations, permitting, and construction processes.
• Experience managing construction projects, renovations, and major building system improvements.
• Knowledge of Certificates of Occupancy, building inspections, regulatory filings, and violation resolution.
• Experience overseeing contractors, consultants, project budgets, and construction schedules.
• Familiarity with NYC Department of Buildings requirements and applicable Local Laws.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and project tracking/budgeting tools.
• Willingness to travel to properties outside New York City.

Responsibilities

• Oversee construction, renovations, building improvements, and project closeouts across multiple properties.
• Manage critical capital improvement projects, including elevator modernization, boiler replacements, HVAC systems, roofing, facades, and life-safety upgrades.
• Coordinate and manage general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, and consultants.
• Develop project scopes, obtain competitive bids, negotiate contracts, and monitor schedules and budgets.
• Review change orders, contractor invoices, payment applications, and project expenditures.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Coordinate construction activities within occupied residential buildings while minimizing disruption to residents.

Skills

Construction Mgmt

Building Compliance

NYC Regulations

Project Coordination

Budget Management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management / Engineering / Architecture

Tools

Excel

Project tracking tools

Job description

Director of Construction & Building Compliance

Location: New York, NY |Regional Travel

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Opportunity

Premier Executive Search is partnering with a growing real estate ownership and operating platform to identify a Director of Construction & Building Compliance to oversee construction projects, building compliance, and capital improvements across a portfolio of approximately 8,000 residential beds.This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership opportunity for an experien ced professional who understands the complexities of managing buildings in New York City and can successfully oversee construction, resolve regulatory issues, and execute critical capital improvement projects.

The ideal candidate combines NYC building compliance expertise, construction project management experience, and strong operational problem-solving skills. This individual must be comfortable managing multiple priorities, coordinating contractors and consultants, and taking ownership of projects from initial assessment through completion.

The position offers direct exposure to senior leadership, significant autonomy, and the opportunity to make an immediate impact across a growing real estate portfolio.

Key Responsibilitie s

Construction & Capital Project Management

• Oversee construction, renovations, building improvements, and project closeouts across multiple properties.
• Manage critical capital improvement projects, including elevator modernization, boiler replacements, HVAC systems, roofing, facades, and life-safety upgrades.
• Coordinate and manage general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, and consultants.
• Develop project scopes, obtain competitive bids, negotiate contracts, and monitor schedules and budgets.
• Review change orders, contractor invoices, payment applications, and project expenditures.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Coordinate construction activities within occupied residential buildings while minimizing disruption to residents.

Building Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Oversee building compliance across a portfolio of properties, with a strong emphasis on New York City regulations.
• Manage Certificate of Occupancy (CO) and Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) processes, including required inspections, filings, and approvals.
• Coordinate with NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), FDNY, HPD, and other regulatory agencies.
• Identify, track, and resolve building violations, outstanding permits, and regulatory compliance issues.
• Manage compliance with applicable NYC Local Laws, including Local Law 11/FISP, Local Law 87, and Local Law 97.
• Oversee recurring building inspections and regulatory requirements involving elevators, boilers, fire safety, sprinkler systems, and other critical building systems.
• Work closely with expediters, architects, engineers, and inspectors to resolve outstanding issues efficiently.
• Maintain organized compliance records, inspection schedules, and regulatory reporting.

Capital Planning & Budget Management

• Develop and manage annual and multiyear capital improvement plans.
• Evaluate building conditions and identify immediate and long-term capital needs.
• Prioritize projects based on safety, compliance, operational impact, and financial considerations.
• Prepare project budgets, track expenditures, and provide regular updates to senior leadership.
• Coordinate lender draw requests and supporting documentation as needed.
• Identify opportunities to improve building efficiency, reduce utility costs, and enhance property performance.

Portfolio Operations & Leadership

• Partner with property operations, asset management, and senior leadership to address building-related challenges.
• Conduct property inspections and assess maintenance, construction, and compliance priorities.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines across geographically dispersed properties.
• Provide clear updates on project progress, budgets, regulatory risks, and recommended solutions.
• Establish effective processes for tracking construction projects, compliance requirements, and capital expenditures.
• Travel periodically to properties in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and California.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 7+ years of experience in construction management, capital projects, building operations, facilities management, or building compliance.
• Strong understanding of New York City building regulations, permitting, and construction processes.
• Experience managing construction projects, renovations, and major building system improvements.
• Knowledge of Certificates of Occupancy, building inspections, regulatory filings, and violation resolution.
• Experience overseeing contractors, consultants, project budgets, and construction schedules.
• Familiarity with NYC Department of Buildings requirements and applicable Local Laws.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and project tracking/budgeting tools.
• Willingness to travel to properties outside New York City.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working for a real estate owner/operator, developer, property management company, or construction firm.
• Direct experience obtaining NYC Certificates of Occupancy and resolving DOB violations.
• Familiarity with DOB NOW, BIS, HPD Online, and OATH/ECB systems.
• Experience with Local Law 11/FISP, Local Law 87, and Local Law 97 compliance.
• Background managing multifamily residential, student housing, hospitality, or adaptive reuse properties.
• Experience with elevator modernization, boiler/HVAC replacements, and major capital improvement projects.
• Experience with capital budgeting, lender draws, and construction loan administration.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related discipline.

What Makes This Opportunity Attractive

• High-impact role: Take ownership of meaningful construction, compliance, and capital improvement initiatives.
• Direct leadership exposure: Work closely with senior executives and key decision-makers.
• Autonomy: Opportunity to make recommendations, implement solutions, and drive results without excessive bureaucracy.
• Diverse portfolio: Gain exposure to multiple properties and markets.
• Growth opportunity: Join an expanding real estate platform with significant opportunities to improve operations and building performance.

Premier Executive Search is an equal opportunity recruiting partner. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to any legally protected characteristic.