Director of Capital Projects

The Director of Capital Projects is responsible for leading the planning, development, and execution of large-scale capital expansion and redevelopment projects across the convention center campus. This role manages complex, multi-year initiatives including facility expansions, new construction, major renovations, and infrastructure improvements to the quality and safety standards of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) and Legends Global. This role oversees the full lifecycle of capital projects, including planning, design, construction, and closeout, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with operational needs. The Director serves as a key strategic leader, aligning expansion efforts with enhancing guest experience, organizational growth objectives, market competitiveness, and long-term asset value, while ensuring seamless integration with ongoing venue operations within an active convention center environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning and execution of major expansion projects including facility expansion, site improvements, new building construction and infrastructure upgrades; Partner with executive leadership and board members to define long-term strategy and priorities; Direct multiple large-scale capital projects simultaneously and provide executive-level reporting on project status, risks, and financial performance; Oversee full lifecycle delivery of expansion projects from design management to contracting to construction; Develop and manage large-scale capital budgets while monitoring expenditures, contingency usage, and change management; Serve as key liaison with executive leadership, authority board, city and public agencies, developers and private partners; Lead and develop a team consisting of a construction project manager, accounting manager and assistant project engineer; Conduct routine site visits to monitor progress and enforce DRCFA/Legends Global specifications, quality standards, and OSHA practices; Identify risks early and implement mitigation strategies to protect budget and timelines; Maintain accurate records including contracts, change orders, task orders, reports, drawings, and progress documentation; Secure AHJ permits and coordinate inspections; Interpret contractual language and hold partners accountable to defined roles, responsibilities, and deliverables; Develop scopes of work and material specifications under the DRCFA Purchasing Policy for competitive bidding in partnership with the Purchasing Director

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, preferred and/or 15+ years of field experience managing large scale capital and expansion project schedules and budgets; 10+ years of experience in construction management or a related discipline with a focus on project execution; Strong understanding of construction methods, safety, and regulatory requirements; Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Outlook and project management software and tools; Demonstrated ability to lead teams and coordinate diverse stakeholders in fast-moving environments; Critical thinking and proven problem-solving abilities, including the ability to execute projects even when design documentation is evolving; Ability to make decisions under pressure and deliver results in high-stakes, timeline-sensitive conditions; Excellent written and verbal communication with strong organizational skills

Nice to have

AI tools; e-Builder; Bluebeam

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision benefits starting day one; Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time; 401(k) with company match