Federal Construction Program Director

Burns & McDonnell; Brea (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell seeks a DOE Construction Section Manager to lead the delivery of federal and private infrastructure projects across multiple sites, including active facilities. You will oversee staffing, program execution, and risk management while maintaining safety and quality standards.

The role requires a strong background in design-build delivery, leadership experience, and excellent communication. You will collaborate with agencies, clients, and trade partners to drive growth and project

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or related degree from an accredited program and 10 years related professional experience in design and/or project management required or applicable experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
• Previous experience in progressive design build construction delivery method.
• Previous leadership and/or management experience.
• Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.
• Position requires the ability to thoughtfully and positively influence, lead, and manage change.
• Must possess strong project management skills and a strategic perspective.
• Must be expert in the use of computer software (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction to a team of DOE construction project managers responsible for delivering federal and private infrastructure projects.
• Lead the growth and operational performance of the DOE construction section, ensuring appropriate staffing, resource allocation, utilization, and workforce development to support current and future project demands.
• Oversee the planning and execution of capital improvement programs (CIP) and federal construction projects.
• Ensure successful project delivery through all phases of planning, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout while maintaining safety, quality, schedule, and budget objectives.
• Provide leadership and oversight for projects executed within active environments, ensuring construction activities are coordinated to minimize impacts to facility operations, stakeholders, and the public.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to, federal agencies and private clients while building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with qualified construction subcontractors, expanding the network of trusted trade partners to support competitive pricing, resource availability, and successful project execution across DOE sites.
• Lead collaboration between engineering, construction, and client teams to support integrated project delivery and successful execution of federal programs.
• Coordinate withowners, partners, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders to address project requirements, risks, operational impacts, and public communications.
• Support project delivery strategies, construction phasing plans, risk management initiatives, and operational coordination plans necessary for construction within secure and operational federal environments.
• Implement and support company, global practice, and regional initiatives while successfully leading organizational change and continuous improvement efforts within the section.
• Achieve business performance objectives, including revenue growth, profitability, utilization, backlog development, and client satisfaction.
• Manage section budgets, staffing forecasts, succession planning, recruiting efforts, and professional development programs.
• Review project and portfolio performance, including schedules, budgets, forecasts, risk registers, cash flow projections, and financial reporting.
• Lead the identification, evaluation, and mitigation of project risks, providing construction risk guidance to project teams and stakeholders throughout planning and execution.
• Collaborate with business development leaders, DOE business line and construction practice leadership, and project teams to identify opportunities, develop client relationships, pursue strategic projects, and support proposal development activities.
• Conduct project safety, quality, operational readiness, and financial reviews to ensure successful delivery and adherence to Burns & McDonnell and client standards.
• Support the continued growth of Burns & McDonnell's Aviation & Federal construction practice through market engagement, industry involvement, client relationship development, and strategic talent acquisition.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Change management

Project management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor Degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or related degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Burns & McDonnell seeks a DOE Construction Section Manager to lead the delivery of federal and private infrastructure projects across multiple sites, including active facilities. You will oversee staffing, program execution, and risk management while maintaining safety and quality standards.

The role requires a strong background in design-build delivery, leadership experience, and excellent communication. You will collaborate with agencies, clients, and trade partners to drive growth and project