Project Executive

Russell is a professional services firm providing construction and development services across the Midwest. Since its inception in 1983, Russell’s culture promotes a collaborative work environment that strives to exceed our clients’ expectations and provide life-time career opportunities for our professionals.

Headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, with offices in St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri and Overland Park, Kansas, Russell has delivered more than $7 billion in projects across 34 states. We remain a market leader in our core markets, including new construction and complex additions and renovations.

At Russell, we are creating more than a project - we are building great people, relationships, and communities.

Life at Russell

The number one response we receive when we ask our team members what they like about Russell is the culture. Russell team members describe working here as being more flexible than any place they’ve ever worked. They feel supported and support each other. They have fun. They are empowered to get their work done how they see fit. And most of all, they know they can continue their careers here because of the rich development tools available to them. Life at Russell is full of opportunities.

The Project Executive provides leadership for multiple project teams and is charged with the development of project teams including Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and Project Engineers. Responsible for the overall success of the project as measured by preconstruction, safety, quality, schedule, budget, and client satisfaction.

Leading and Managing People

• Lead, train and mentor the Safety culture of Russell.
• Assist in recruitment and hiring processes.
• Exemplify strong leadership skills, having the capacity to build-out the team and the ability to adapt and evolve with the company's future growth plans.
• Mentor and coach the project team to ensure their skills and capabilities are being developed.
• Lead by example and model behaviors that are consistent with company values and culture.
• Establish and foster a collaborative, team environment.
• Provide leadership and hands-on assistance to projects and team members to include preconstruction, planning, mentoring, proactive problem prevention, resolution of issues, coaching, and holding team members accountable.

Operational Excellence

• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Full performance responsibility for a project or group of projects, including but not limited to safety performance, financial oversight, construction quality, client satisfaction, subcontractor selection, contracts, subcontractor relations, project schedule, and risk management.
• Effectively address and mitigate contract disputes.
• Direct project management team on project execution strategy.
• Provide regular reporting on key metrics and projects including safety, budget, workforce planning, on-time in-full, schedule progress, etc.
• Manage financial aspects of contracts to protect company’s interest and simultaneously maintain good relationship with the client.
• Ensure the organization's general economic and financial conditions are taken into consideration to ensure the company's goals are met and matched with available resources.
• Monitor and assign resources for projects in resource planning software.
• Manage job chargeability of project team members.

Driving Project Performance

• Develop terms for contracts with clients, prepare owner contracts, and communicate to project team.
• Monthly job site visits to regularly to check in on progress and maintain knowledge of the project status.
• Develop plans and measures to minimize and mitigate the potential risks.
• Review and approve monthly project status reports prepared by the project team.
• Supervise subcontract bidding and negotiations.
• Promote a positive cash flow and ensure timely progress payments.
• Attend and participate in meetings with the client, architect, and consultants.
• Lead a team of Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, Project Engineers, Field Leaders, and Admin Staff
• Ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget.
• Provide high level management of quality, risk, safety, and compliance for the project and team members.
• Establish project objectives and performance standards with project teams to guide projects to success.
• Ensure full collaboration with field teams and work closely with General Superintendents.

Developing and Managing Relationships

• Conduct key client touch-points throughout the project, from preconstruction client surveys to close-out, ensuring that you are sticking to project commitments and resolving any issues in a timely manner.
• Maintain professional relationships with owners, architects, and trade partners.
• Promote client and subcontractor relationships through award winning service, follow-up, and successful project completion.
• Support business development initiatives in establishing and building on client relationships.
• Review proposals before submission and collaborate with VP and Market President on fee and staffing strategy.
• Lead the RFP process and provide oversight and direction to preconstruction and operations staff to ensure high quality deliverables.
• Communicate with Executive Leadership on issues requiring their involvement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Positive attitude with enthusiasm for personal & professional growth. Education and experience requirements include: 4-year Construction Engineering or Construction Management degree or equivalent, plus extensive (10 years or more) experience/knowledge of design, construction, finance, and management required. Ability to apply innovative and effective leadership techniques to maximize employee performance. Thorough understanding of corporate and industry practices, processes, standards, etc. and their impact on project activities. Superior communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Persuasive speaking and ability to represent the company in a professional manner.