Director of Capital Projects

Job Summary

The Director of Capital Projects is responsible for the planning, execution, and financial management of the Company’s capital projects and construction portfolio. This role oversees multiple concurrent construction and facility projects, provides leadership to Construction Project Managers, and manages the Company’s overall CAPEX budget and spending.

The Director ensures capital projects are delivered safely, on time, within approved budgets, and in alignment with the Company’s strategic and operational objectives. This position works closely with executive leadership, Finance, Operations, Facilities, and external contractors and consultants.

Key Responsibilities

Capital Project Management

• Lead a portfolio of concurrent construction, facility expansion, equipment installation, renovation, and other capital projects.
• Establish project priorities, schedules, budgets, milestones, and performance expectations.
• Oversee projects from initial concept and business case development through design, permitting, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Monitor project scope, schedule, cost, quality, risks, and resource requirements.
• Ensure appropriate project controls, reporting, documentation, and change-management processes are in place.
• Identify and resolve project issues that could impact cost, schedule, safety, or operational objectives.

CAPEX Management

• Own and manage the Company’s overall CAPEX budget and capital spending process.
• Develop and maintain annual and long-range capital plans in partnership with executive leadership and Finance.
• Establish CAPEX governance, approval processes, spending controls, and reporting.

• Monitor actual versus approved capital spending and forecast remaining project costs.
• Evaluate capital requests and provide recommendations regarding project prioritization and funding.
• Ensure capital expenditures are appropriately authorized, documented, and aligned with approved budgets.
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate capitalization, project accounting, forecasting, and reporting.

Leadership & Team Management

• Directly manage and provide leadership to Construction Project Managers and potentially additional project resources as the organization grows.
• Establish clear accountability, performance expectations, and development goals for the project management team.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and technical guidance to Construction Project Managers.
• Develop standardized project management practices, tools, templates, and reporting across the organization.

Construction & Contractor Management

• Oversee the selection and management of contractors, engineering firms, architects, consultants, and other external partners.
• Review contracts, bids, scopes of work, change orders, and project commitments.
• Ensure contractors meet Company expectations for safety, quality, schedule, cost, and performance.
• Establish effective processes for managing construction changes, claims, and disputes.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work closely with Operations and site leadership to minimize disruption to ongoing business activities.
• Partner with Finance, EHS, Legal, and other functions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Communicate project status, financial performance, risks, and key decisions to senior and executive leadership.
• Provide regular portfolio-level reporting and recommendations to executive management.

Risk, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure projects comply with applicable building codes, permitting requirements, environmental requirements, safety standards, and Company policies.
• Identify and proactively manage project risks.
• Ensure appropriate safety practices and contractor safety requirements are incorporated into all construction activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or related field.
• 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing construction, capital projects, facilities, or engineering projects.
• Experience managing multiple large-scale projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated experience managing significant CAPEX budgets and capital planning processes.
• Previous experience managing Project Managers or other project professionals.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, contracts, project controls, budgeting, scheduling, and cost management.
• Experience working in a manufacturing, industrial, or other complex operating environment strongly preferred.
• Strong financial, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with executive leadership and cross-functional teams.

Key Competencies

• Capital portfolio management
• Construction and project management
• Financial and budget management
• Strategic planning
• Risk management
• Contract and contractor management
• Leadership and team development
• Executive communication
• Problem solving and decision making
• Cross-functional collaboration