What are the responsibilities and job description for the Division Manager - Construction Management position at City of Wilmington, NC?
The City of Wilmington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Position Description
One City. One Team. One Community.
As the Construction Management - Division Manager , you’ll play a key leadership role in shaping the projects, infrastructure, and development that help our community thrive. You’ll lead the City’s Construction Management team, guiding project managers and construction inspection personnel while ensuring City construction and private development projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.
Why This Position Matters
Great communities don’t happen by accident—they’re built through strong leadership, thoughtful planning, and people who care about getting the details right. In this role, your leadership will directly influence the quality, efficiency, and success of projects that residents, businesses, and visitors rely on every day.
You’ll serve as a critical connection between engineering, construction, City departments, contractors, developers, and the public. From overseeing contracts and project finances to maintaining technical standards and providing solutions to complex construction challenges, you’ll help turn plans into projects that make a lasting difference.
One City. One vision for a stronger, better-built community.
Typical Tasks
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or closely related program from an accredited university.
Experience
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible direct work experience in construction management, including all aspects of process development and execution.
Requirements
Valid Class C Driver's License
Knowledge
Physical Demands
Office Work: Primarily sedentary, involving prolonged sitting, computer use, telephone and office equipment operation, and standard office tasks. Requires visual acuity, hearing, and manual dexterity for reviewing documents, analyzing data, and completing administrative responsibilities.
General Requirements: The position involves occasional travel to meetings, evening events, or after-hours response. All work is performed in compliance with applicable State and Federal OSHA regulations, including hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and slip, trip, and fall prevention.
Working Conditions
This position is primarily office-based, utilizing standard office equipment in a climate-controlled setting and adhering to applicable safety and ergonomic guidelines. The role also requires occasional fieldwork at transportation, streets, and stormwater project and construction sites, with exposure to outdoor conditions, traffic, noise, and uneven terrain, and occasional standing, walking, or lifting of light materials with appropriate safety measures in place.
The position functions in a fast-paced, collaborative, and public-facing municipal environment, involving interaction with elected officials, employees, community members, and external partners. Attendance at evening meetings and occasional after-hours or emergency response may be required.
Our Core Values
INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY
Our Mission Statement: Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.
What We Offer
The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:
Health Benefits are offered to employees working at least 30 hours per week.
Health Insurance - The City offers two options for health coverage: a standard PPO plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire for employees and their eligible dependents. Both you and the City contribute to the overall cost of coverage.
Dental Insurance - Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire. Employees, their spouse and dependent children are eligible for coverage.
Life Insurance - The city pays to provide coverage valued at one times your annual salary. Supplemental insurance is available for employees to purchase. Optional coverage for dependents is also available for purchase.
Retirement
**This is intended to be a brief overview of the benefits offered. Please visit our website at https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Government/Departments-Divisions/Human-Resources/Benefits for more information.**
01
Please acknowledge that you agree to fully complete all required sections of the application, including work experience, education, and the supplemental questionnaire; and that your responses are truthful and complete and can be verified within your application. Unacceptable response : entering "N/A' or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response and may disqualfy you from moving forward.
Do you have a valid US Driver's License?
Which best describes your highest level of education?
How many years of experience do you have in construction inspection?
How many years of experience do you have in construction project management?
Do you have professional experience supervising, leading, or directing the work of staff or technical professionals?
Please identify the company/agency/organization where you gained the experience described in question #6 and provide a brief summary. Note: These employers must be listed in the work history section on your employment application to receive credit. Entering "N/A' or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response.
08
Do you have experience managing or overseeing construction projects, including project execution, construction oversight, inspection, or contract administration?
Please identify the company/agency/organization where you gained the experience described in question #8 and provide a brief summary. Note: These employers must be listed in the work history section on your employment application to receive credit. Entering "N/A' or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response.
10
The hiring salary for the position is provided in the job posting. Salary determination is supported by budget availability and qualifications of the candidate compated to nternal equity. Please acknowledge that you understand this process.
Position Description
One City. One Team. One Community.
As the Construction Management - Division Manager , you’ll play a key leadership role in shaping the projects, infrastructure, and development that help our community thrive. You’ll lead the City’s Construction Management team, guiding project managers and construction inspection personnel while ensuring City construction and private development projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.
Why This Position Matters
Great communities don’t happen by accident—they’re built through strong leadership, thoughtful planning, and people who care about getting the details right. In this role, your leadership will directly influence the quality, efficiency, and success of projects that residents, businesses, and visitors rely on every day.
You’ll serve as a critical connection between engineering, construction, City departments, contractors, developers, and the public. From overseeing contracts and project finances to maintaining technical standards and providing solutions to complex construction challenges, you’ll help turn plans into projects that make a lasting difference.
One City. One vision for a stronger, better-built community.
Typical Tasks
- Supervises staff by implementing departmental procedures and guidelines for daily tasks and activities, assigning project management and inspection duties, evaluating performance, making field visits, coaching for improvement, recommending personnel actions and being responsible for management of the division and construction project budgets.
- Oversees and coordinates the permitting of City construction projects and ensures compliance with professional engineering requirements and city technical standards; administers construction contracts for City projects. High degree of responsibility for public health and safety.
- Directs the work of surveyors, environmental consultants, geotechnical consultants, computer-aided drafting specialists, geographical information systems specialists, and engineering interns to produce construction drawings for multiple capital projects. Supervises work of consulting engineers, providing directives and guidance on complex administrative and technical issues.
- Fiscal management of multiple City projects, involving the preparation of project applications; project justifications; grant applications; and cost estimates. Monitors budgets; negotiates contract amendments; and initiates change orders.
- Develop alternatives for value engineering on project designs. Weigh competing criteria between alternatives for decision-making in a multifaceted context (e.g., public relations vs. economic feasibility vs. materials availability vs. workforce capabilities vs. operation & maintenance considerations vs. life-cycle costs vs. regulatory agency requirements, etc.).
- Authors technical specifications and creates construction details for improvements to existing methods; to address new technologies; and to maintain compliance with changes in regulations. These documents must be practical and functional in a frequently contentious and volatile construction contract environment.
- Chairs public information meetings; pre-bid meetings; pre-construction meetings; and progress meetings for capital project construction. Represents City in meetings with regulatory agencies and respond to media inquiries. Prepare public notices.
- Provides internal support by determining appropriate materials for various applications, completing design modifications, and assisting with contract issues.
- Stays abreast of changes in regulations, construction methods and industry standards through continuing education, as required for project assignments.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or closely related program from an accredited university.
Experience
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible direct work experience in construction management, including all aspects of process development and execution.
Requirements
Valid Class C Driver's License
Knowledge
- Knowledge of construction management practices for public infrastructure and private development projects
- Knowledge of engineering principles, standards, and regulatory requirements
- Knowledge of contract administration, budgeting, and procurement processes
- Knowledge of municipal policies, technical specifications, and inspection procedures
- Skill in construction oversight, contract administration, and quality control
- Skill in budgeting, financial tracking, and resource allocation
- Skill in communication and public relations with stakeholders, contractors, and the public
- Skill in reviewing technical documents, plans, and specifications
- Skill in personnel management, including coaching, performance evaluation, conflict resolution, and staff development
- Ability to lead and coordinate multiple construction projects simultaneously
- Ability to ensure compliance with regulations, standards, and contract requirements
- Ability to represent the department effectively in meetings and public settings
- Ability to develop and recommend policies, procedures, and technical standards
- Ability to provide technical guidance and support across departments
- Ability to lead and motivate a diverse team, foster accountability, and maintain a productive, collaborative work environment
Physical Demands
Office Work: Primarily sedentary, involving prolonged sitting, computer use, telephone and office equipment operation, and standard office tasks. Requires visual acuity, hearing, and manual dexterity for reviewing documents, analyzing data, and completing administrative responsibilities.
General Requirements: The position involves occasional travel to meetings, evening events, or after-hours response. All work is performed in compliance with applicable State and Federal OSHA regulations, including hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and slip, trip, and fall prevention.
Working Conditions
This position is primarily office-based, utilizing standard office equipment in a climate-controlled setting and adhering to applicable safety and ergonomic guidelines. The role also requires occasional fieldwork at transportation, streets, and stormwater project and construction sites, with exposure to outdoor conditions, traffic, noise, and uneven terrain, and occasional standing, walking, or lifting of light materials with appropriate safety measures in place.
The position functions in a fast-paced, collaborative, and public-facing municipal environment, involving interaction with elected officials, employees, community members, and external partners. Attendance at evening meetings and occasional after-hours or emergency response may be required.
Our Core Values
INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY
Our Mission Statement: Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.
What We Offer
The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance many other insurance options
- Excellent retirement benefits, including a city provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees’ Retirement System
- Employer-paid health & wellness clinic
- Free on-site city gym access
- Paid sick and vacation leave 13 paid holidays per year
- 6-weeks paid parental leave
- Paid volunteer & blood donation leave to give back to our community
- Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on your position
- Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives
- Tuition assistance benefits
Health Benefits are offered to employees working at least 30 hours per week.
Health Insurance - The City offers two options for health coverage: a standard PPO plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire for employees and their eligible dependents. Both you and the City contribute to the overall cost of coverage.
Dental Insurance - Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire. Employees, their spouse and dependent children are eligible for coverage.
Life Insurance - The city pays to provide coverage valued at one times your annual salary. Supplemental insurance is available for employees to purchase. Optional coverage for dependents is also available for purchase.
Retirement
- NC Local Government Retirement System - All benefits eligible employees make a mandatory 6% contribution every pay period.
- Deferred Compensation – The city contributes an amount equal to 4.5% of the annual salary to a 401(k) plan regardless of employee contribution. Employees may choose to contribute additional money to the 401(k) or 457 deferred compensation plans, without a match from the City, within the IRS guidelines.
- Sick Leave - 12 days accrued each year
- Annual Leave - Accrual based on years of service and classification. Employees can earn from 10 to 24 days each year.
- Holidays - 13 paid holidays annually
- Paid Parental Leave - Six weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or placement of a child (must run concurrently with FMLA).
- Part-Time Employees will earn paid leave benefits on a pro-rated basis.
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Short & Long Term Disability
- Cancer & Critical Illness
- Accident Insurance
- Whole Life Insurance
- Credit Union membership
- Access to City Fitness Center
**This is intended to be a brief overview of the benefits offered. Please visit our website at https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Government/Departments-Divisions/Human-Resources/Benefits for more information.**
01
Please acknowledge that you agree to fully complete all required sections of the application, including work experience, education, and the supplemental questionnaire; and that your responses are truthful and complete and can be verified within your application. Unacceptable response : entering "N/A' or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response and may disqualfy you from moving forward.
- Yes
Do you have a valid US Driver's License?
- Yes
- No
Which best describes your highest level of education?
- High School Diploma or GED
- Vocational/Technical Training or Certificate
- Some College
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- Doctorate Degree
- None - N/A
How many years of experience do you have in construction inspection?
- I have no experience
- less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 5 years
- 5 years to less than 7 years
- 7 years to less than 9 years
- 9 years or more
How many years of experience do you have in construction project management?
- I have no experience
- less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 5 years
- 5 years to less than 7 years
- 7 years to less than 9 years
- 9 years or more
Do you have professional experience supervising, leading, or directing the work of staff or technical professionals?
- Yes
- No
Please identify the company/agency/organization where you gained the experience described in question #6 and provide a brief summary. Note: These employers must be listed in the work history section on your employment application to receive credit. Entering "N/A' or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response.
08
Do you have experience managing or overseeing construction projects, including project execution, construction oversight, inspection, or contract administration?
- Yes
- No
Please identify the company/agency/organization where you gained the experience described in question #8 and provide a brief summary. Note: These employers must be listed in the work history section on your employment application to receive credit. Entering "N/A' or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response.
10
The hiring salary for the position is provided in the job posting. Salary determination is supported by budget availability and qualifications of the candidate compated to nternal equity. Please acknowledge that you understand this process.
- Yes
- No
- Required Question