Project Director

Gilder Search Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Clayco is seeking a Project Director to lead design-build construction projects valued from $60 million to over $250 million. You will serve as the primary liaison among the owner, design teams, and project staff, ensuring quality and timely delivery.

The role requires 15+ years of construction project leadership, a relevant bachelor’s degree, and the ability to travel nationwide. You will mentor PMs and engineers and oversee budgets and schedules on complex projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction-related field.
• 15+ years of experience managing large construction projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of construction principles, practices, and technology.
• Experience leading a project management team.
• Ability to walk a job site, climb ladders, and scale scaffolding.

Responsibilities

• Act as the single point of contact for owners, design teams, and project staff.
• Ensure quality and timely execution of design-build projects from design to completion.
• Build client and subcontractor relationships; manage budgets and forecasts.
• Mentor and develop project management staff; accept full responsibility for execution.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Design-build experience

Safety awareness

On-site inspection

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related

Job description

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for mission critical, industrial, life sciences, power & energy, aviation, commercial, institutional, residential and sports & entertainment related building projects.

The Role We Want You For

As a Project Director, you will provide leadership on projects as the "single point of contact" for the owner, design department, and the project staff. Ensure quality and timely execution of design-build projects from design to completion and deliver the best solutions on projects valued anywhere from a $60 million to over $250 million. At Clayco, The Project Director will work with marketing, pre-construction services, business unit leaders, and mentoring Project Managers and Engineers and have overall responsibility for these projects.

The Specifics of the Role

• Build client and subcontractor relationships.
• Team with Architects, Engineers, and Planners to create and manage a design schedule.
• Establish project forecasts and budgets.
• Manage costs.
• Accept full responsibility for project execution.
• Mentor and develop project management staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related.
• 15+ years of experience managing construction projects ($100+ million) ideally design-build.
• Demonstrated knowledge of construction principles, practices, and technology.
• Previous experience leading a successful project management team.
• Ability to walk a job site, climb ladders, and scale multi-floor scaffolding.
• Ability to lift objects of at least 50 lbs.

Some Things You Should Know

• Our clients and projects are nationwide – Travel will be required.
• No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
• The pace is fast!
• This position is classified as a safety-sensitive role in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Candidates selected for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background check, which includes mandatory drug testing.

Why Clayco?

• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2025 ENR Top 400 – Top Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $165,000 - $190,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).