Project Director

Vanir Construction Management, Inc.; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA

Life insurance

Disability insurance

FSA

Teladoc

Pet insurance

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Referral program

Job summary

Vanir Construction Management, Inc. seeks a Project Director to lead complex construction and program management projects from Monterey County to Santa Barbara County. You will direct estimating, scheduling, budgeting, and client relations while coordinating with senior managers and design teams.

The role emphasizes leadership, contract negotiation, and safety compliance across California's Central Coast, with a focus on delivering high-quality results for public and private sector clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in engineering, construction management, or architecture.
• 15+ years of senior-level project/program management experience on large, complex construction programs.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex construction/program management projects across California's Central Coast.
• Oversee client relations, bidding/proposals, and interviews with senior staff.
• Coordinate design, planning, scheduling, and cost controls to meet contract requirements.
• Supervise project teams and ensure safety and quality per Vanir standards.
• Collaborate with Area Manager and other divisions to drive business development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Estimating

Cost management

Scheduling

Contract negotiation

Project controls

Budgeting

Safety

Marketing

Business development

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or Architecture

Tools

CPM scheduling

Job description

Project Director

Job Details

Job Location: US-CA-San Luis Obispo

Job ID: 2026-5308

Category: Construction / Project Management

Type: Full-Time

About Vanir

Vanir is a proud minority- and woman-owned company, recognized as a national leader in program, project and construction management (PMCM) and real estate development. Since 1964, we have consistently exceeded client expectations. Ranked as a top PMCM firm by Engineering News-Record (ENR) for more than three decades, our award-winning team provides a full range of services to public and private sector clients in the aviation; healthcare; education (K-12 and higher); justice and essential services; science and technology; state and local government; transportation; water and wastewater; energy; and commercial, residential and nonprofit markets.

Job Description

Vanir is seeking a Project Director with proven leadership capabilities and strong communication skills who can build on our continued success delivering complex construction and program management projects.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The primary duties of a successful Project Director will focus on leadership, estimating, contract negotiation, scheduling, cost management and forecasting, client relations, design coordination, planning, and change management. The Project Director is responsible for ensuring client satisfaction with our services on assigned projects.

This position will collaborate with senior managers, estimators, schedulers, and other construction professionals across Vanir's divisions. This position will report to the Area Manager.

This position will oversee projects and staff throughout California's Central Coast, from Monterey County to Santa Barbara County and surrounding area.

The Project Director is responsible for overseeing project operations and management across the region, including the ability to:

• Act in an advisory role, assisting the client with initiating and setting goals for programs based on strategic objectives
• Provide leads on new work from existing clients
• Identify new marketing opportunities and develop leads for new projects
• Assist in proposal preparation and coordinate interviews
• Represent Vanir or the client in public forums and meetings
• Negotiate and monitor fee consumption and actual contribution versus budget
• Ensure Project Management Plans and Procedures Manuals are developed in accordance with contract requirements
• Supervise project teams and ensure quality services consistent with Vanir procedures, client goals, and contract responsibilities in the areas of safety, performance, project staff, and equipment
• Function as, or assign, the Facility Administrator role in Vanir's Injury Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and perform all associated duties
• Work closely with Vanir's Director of Health, Risk and Safety to resolve safety concerns or questions

Key Knowledge

• Marketing and business development, including lead identification and follow-up, proposal preparation, and interview preparation
• Knowledge of delivery methods, construction and consultant contracts, selection/procurement processes, contract administration, budgeting, estimating and cost control, CPM scheduling and schedule management, and safety
• Employee development, including coaching, mentoring, supervision, and training techniques

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or Architecture is required
• 15+ years of recent experience providing project and/or program management services on large, complex construction projects
• Strong technical and practical background in construction and project/program management
• Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to work well in a team environment
• Knowledge and application of construction estimating, cost management, project controls/scheduling, documentation, engineering/construction principles, techniques, materials, applications, and practices
• Experience with alternative project delivery methods, including Design-Build and Progressive Design-Build

Certificates or Licenses

• CMAA - Construction Manager in Training (CMIT) or Certified Construction Manager (CCM) is preferred
• DBIA - Design Build Associate, or Professional certification is preferred
• Registered Architect or Professional Engineer is preferred

Benefits

Vanir offers a comprehensive, competitive benefits package that includes 401(k) Savings with employer matching contributions, medical, dental, vision, health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions, life, AD&D and disability benefits, flexible spending account (FSA), voluntary benefits, Teladoc, pet insurance, paid time off, national employee assistance program (EAP) and employee referral program.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor

Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

Contact Email: [e-mail]

Persons with medical limitations may, with reasonable accommodations, be capable of performing the duties of this position. Such a determination must be made on an individual basis considering the person's limitations, the requirements of the position, and the company's ability to make reasonable accommodations to the person's limitations.

We Participate in E-Verify

Pursuant to the Ban The Box Act/Fair Chance Initiative, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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Posted Salary Range

USD $145,000.00 - USD $165,000.00 /Yr.