Superintendent

Actalent; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Washington, DC, is seeking an experienced Superintendent to lead ground-up commercial construction projects, including schools and multifamily developments. Projects are typically valued at $50 million and above, with a focus on delivering safely, on schedule, and to high quality.

You will oversee all phases of construction, coordinate subcontractors, manage schedules, and work closely with project managers to align field activities with project goals.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of superintendent experience on large base-build projects.
• Minimum 5+ years on ground-up projects; large projects $50M+.
• Experience leading schools or multifamily base-build developments.
• Ability to read drawings and interpret specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day field operations on ground-up commercial projects.
• Manage all phases from site prep to project completion.
• Coordinate subcontractors, field staff, and vendors for productivity, quality and safety.
• Develop and maintain construction schedules and adjust to timelines.
• Collaborate with project managers to align field activities with goals.
• Monitor progress, conduct site inspections, and resolve schedule/budget/quality issues.
• Ensure safety policies and a safe work environment on site.
• Oversee site logistics, including material deliveries and equipment usage.
• Maintain clear communication with stakeholders and report milestones.
• Support owner/regulatory/DGS requirements where applicable.
• Review and interpret construction documents; provide field input.
• Document daily activities and prepare reports for closeout.

Skills

Superintendent experience

Ground-up construction

Commercial construction

Scheduling

Safety compliance

Team leadership

Urban building projects

Building codes

Education

Bachelors degree in AEC

Tools

Scheduling software

Job description

Job Title: Superintendent Ground-Up Commercial Construction

Job Description

This role is for an experienced Superintendent who will lead ground-up commercial construction projects, primarily large-scale schools and multifamily developments in the Washington, DC area. You will oversee all phases of new construction on projects typically valued at $50 million or more, ensuring they are delivered safely, on schedule, and to the highest quality standards. This is an opportunity to work on exciting, high-profile base-build projects with a respected firm in the DMV construction market.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day field operations for ground-up commercial construction projects, including schools, multifamily, and other large base-build developments.
• Manage all phases of new construction from site preparation through project completion, ensuring work aligns with project plans, specifications, and building codes.
• Coordinate and supervise subcontractors, field staff, and vendors to maintain productivity, quality, and safety on site.
• Develop, maintain, and execute detailed construction schedules, adjusting as needed to keep projects on track and within established timelines.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, assistant project managers, and other project team members to align field activities with overall project goals.
• Monitor job progress, conduct regular site inspections, and proactively identify and resolve issues that could impact schedule, budget, or quality.
• Ensure strict adherence to safety policies and procedures, promoting a safe work environment for all personnel on the job site.
• Oversee site logistics, including material deliveries, equipment usage, and site access, to maximize efficiency and minimize disruptions.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with stakeholders, providing updates on project status, milestones, and potential risks.
• Support compliance with owner, regulatory, and DGS-related requirements for applicable projects.
• Review and interpret construction documents, including drawings and specifications, and provide field-based input to the project team when issues arise.
• Document daily activities, incidents, and progress, and assist in preparing reports and records required for project tracking and closeout.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of Superintendent experience with a commercial general contractor, specifically overseeing schools or other large base-build projects.
• Minimum of 5+ years of commercial construction experience focused on ground-up projects; extensive ground-up experience is required.
• Proven track record managing large-scale projects, typically $50 million or more, from initial site work through completion.
• Strong expertise in ground-up commercial construction processes, including structural work, building systems, and finishes.
• Experience working on school construction projects and other complex commercial builds in an urban environment.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with project managers, assistant project managers, and field teams in a commercial construction setting.
• Solid understanding of construction scheduling, sequencing, and logistics for large ground-up projects.
• Knowledge of DGS-related requirements and processes for applicable public or institutional projects.
• Bachelors degree in an Architecture, Engineering, or Construction (AEC) discipline.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to direct diverse teams on active job sites.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and the capacity to make sound decisions in a fast-paced field environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience delivering high-profile, large-scale commercial projects in the Washington, DC or broader DMV market.
• Experience working on multifamily ground-up projects in addition to schools and other commercial developments.
• Ability to build strong relationships with owners, design teams, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting complex construction drawings, specifications, and related documentation.
• Familiarity with construction management software and tools commonly used for scheduling, documentation, and communication.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement on job sites.
• Capability to adapt to changing project demands and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Work Environment

This position is primarily based on active job sites, with time spent in the office as needed depending on the weekly project schedule. You will work in a dynamic construction environment that includes outdoor and indoor settings, varying weather conditions, and typical construction site activities, equipment, and noise levels. The role requires regular on-site presence to oversee field operations, coordinate with subcontractors, and manage day-to-day construction activities, with office time focused on planning, coordination, and documentation. Attire is expected to be appropriate for a professional construction setting, including suitable field wear and any required safety gear.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Washington, DC.

Pay And Benefits

• $90000.00 - $125000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Job Title: Construction Superintendent Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Superintendent to lead exciting ground-up construction projects, including schools and multi-family developments. This role involves overseeing commercial construction projects valued at $50 million and above, located throughout Washington, DC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Washington,DC.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.