VP of Construction

Evergreen Real Estate Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Evergreen Real Estate Group in Chicago seeks a Vice President of Construction to lead the construction management and general contracting across development and acquisitions, driving operational excellence and financial discipline.

You will guide a team of project managers and field staff, oversee budgets and schedules for 20+ multifamily starts annually, and collaborate with development leaders to align strategy with portfolio performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, architecture, or related field required.
• MBA or real estate development degree preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive leadership in multifamily construction or real estate development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Senior Leadership Team and drive enterprise-wide strategic planning.
• Oversee construction execution across development and acquisitions pipeline.
• Manage budgets, forecasting, reporting, and cost controls for all projects.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing team of managers and field staff.
• Ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across sites.
• Coordinate with development, finance, and vendors to optimize delivery and profitability.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Financial acumen

Stakeholder communication

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related field

MBA or real estate development degree

Tools

Primavera

Autodesk Construction Cloud

MS Project

RealPage

Job description

Job SummaryThe Vice President of Construction is a senior leadership role responsible for achieving strong construction results across Evergreen’s development and acquisitions strategies. This role leads Evergreen’s general contracting and construction management functions, ensuring projects are executed with operational excellence, financial discipline, and an enterprise-wide perspective.

As a key member of the Development Team, the Vice President of Construction works closely with development leaders and project sponsors targeting a pipeline of approximately 20 multifamily deals annually. The VP provides strategic construction input during site selection and project planning and ensures disciplined execution of new construction and rehabilitation projects.

This position offers an experienced construction leader the opportunity to help build and lead an integrated developer and construction platform, rather than simply overseeing a standalone construction department. The VP collaborates closely with development producers so they can focus on sourcing opportunities and securing financing while the construction platform delivers consistent execution and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Serve as a core member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to enterprise-wide strategic planning and growth initiatives.
• Support the company’s development pipeline by ensuring construction capacity and operational scalability for 20+ multifamily starts annually.
• Align construction strategy, delivery methods, and vendor partnerships with long-term portfolio performance and investment goals.
• Evaluate and recommend delivery methods (general contractor vs. construction manager) to maximize project efficiency and profitability.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency improvements, and cost-saving strategies across the construction platform.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of project managers, construction managers, and field staff.
• Recruit, develop, and retain construction talent as the development pipeline expands.
• Foster a collaborative culture across development, construction, and property management teams.
• Help build and scale an integrated developer–construction platform that supports Evergreen’s long‑term growth strategy.

Construction & Project Oversight

• Oversee all phases of construction execution, from predevelopment planning through project completion and occupancy.
• Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in alignment with design intent and asset performance expectations.
• Implement and maintain standardized construction processes, quality control measures, and project reporting systems across all developments.
• Oversee general contracting activities or construction management functions when third-party contractors are utilized.
• Ensure effective project planning, scheduling, procurement, and field operations across multiple concurrent developments.
• Support both new construction and major rehabilitation projects across Evergreen’s development and acquisition strategies.

Financial Management & Cost Control

• Maintain executive oversight of capital budgets across all development projects.
• Ensure disciplined cost management, forecasting, and reporting for all construction activities.
• Review and approve major contracts, vendor agreements, master service agreements, and high‑value change orders.
• Lead value engineering initiatives to optimize project costs while maintaining design and quality standards.
• Partner with development and finance teams to ensure construction budgets align with underwriting assumptions.
• Contribute to overall enterprise profitability through disciplined project execution and cost management.

Operational Excellence & Quality

• Establish and maintain a culture of operational excellence, safety, and accountability across all job sites.
• Ensure consistent construction quality and adherence to company standards across all developments.
• Implement systems and processes that support predictable project delivery and schedule certainty.
• Ensure successful transition and handover of completed properties to property management teams with minimal deficiencies or unresolved issues.
• Maintain compliance with all building codes, safety regulations, and regulatory requirements.

Predevelopment & Development Support

• Collaborate with the Development Team during site acquisition, due diligence, and early project planning.
• Provide input on feasibility, budgeting, scheduling, and construction risk assessment during underwriting.
• Provide construction insight on property selection, site feasibility, and project strategy during the early stages of development.
• Support entitlement, permitting, and design coordination efforts with architects, engineers, and consultants.
• Participate in design reviews to ensure constructability, cost control, and operational efficiency.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary construction liaison for internal executives, investors, lenders, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with general contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and suppliers.
• Negotiate vendor partnerships and ensure reliable access to resources and subcontractor capacity.
• Support investor and lender reporting related to construction progress and project performance.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related field required.
• MBA, master's in real estate development, or related advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive leadership experience in multifamily construction or real estate development.
• Proven experience managing large-scale multifamily construction pipelines, including multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience overseeing projects through all phases of development, including predevelopment, construction, and turnover operations.

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred Certifications May Include

• Professional Engineer (PE)
• Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
• LEED Accreditation
• OSHA Safety Certification

Technical & Professional Skills

• Strong understanding of the full multifamily development lifecycle, including design, construction, financing, and operations.
• Advanced knowledge of construction budgeting, scheduling, and project controls.
• Experience with enterprise project management platforms and construction software such as:
• Primavera
• Autodesk Construction Cloud
• MS Project
• RealPage or similar property management systems
• Familiarity with construction delivery models including general contracting, construction management, and design-build.

Other Requirements

• Ability to manage multiple large-scale construction projects simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel regularly to development sites.
• Strong ability to manage risk, resolve complex project challenges, and make high‑impact decisions.
• Experience with affordable housing development and LIHTC projects is strongly preferred.

Core Competencies & Skills

• Executive leadership and team development
• Strategic planning and operational scaling
• Financial acumen and capital management
• High‑level problem solving and decision making
• Stakeholder communication and executive presentation
• Negotiation and vendor relationship management
• Cross‑functional collaboration

Work Environment & Physical Demands This position primarily operates in a professional office environment with regular visits to active construction sites. Site visits may involve exposure to outdoor conditions, construction equipment, and varying terrain. The role may require walking construction sites, climbing stairs, and wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE) during site inspections.

Evergreen Real Estate Services is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.