Chief Construction Officer

**About Us**

Raymond Search Group is a leading provider of real estate development and construction services. Our company specializes in all phases of real estate development, including construction, financing, and property management.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Chief Construction Officer to join our team. This is a full-time role that will serve as the Department Head for the Construction Management team, reporting to the President and CEO.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide critical analysis during the design, building construction, and closeout stage of a project, maintaining overall organization, project flow, budget, and scheduling.
• Work with the Development team on various phases of project development, including site selection, design development, municipal approvals, code review, project performance, cost analysis, and construction management of new projects.
• Interpret prepared plans and specifications, providing oversight of construction projects, and keeping accurate records and preparing reports for senior-level management review and decision-making.
• Understand, interpret, and enforce codes, ordinances, construction techniques, means, and methods, scheduling, and special requirements related to the construction of a project.
• Ensure that the aims, goals, and objectives for the department are accomplished within outlined priorities and time limitations.
• Ensure overall project is brought in on time and within budget by effective management of the Construction Management team, coordinating the successful simultaneous development of several projects.
• Facilitate and troubleshoot problems associated with development of the project architectural design, efficient building systems and mechanicals, and effective construction scheduling and estimating to establish budget controls and financing needs.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contracted in the course of a given project.
• Manage construction schedule changes and project budgets, evaluate change order requests, and monitor construction, tracking completed quantities of work, to process monthly payment requisitions.
• Provide a smooth transition of completed project to owner, oversee, direct, coordinate, and ensure all details relative to the project completion and through the warranty period.

Departmental Interaction & Communication:

• Communicate effectively throughout the organization through clear, concise messaging both written and verbal.
• Interface with outside vendors, management firms, and financial partners.
• Possess an accurate understanding of the portfolio's requirements and performance so that it can be effectively communicated to the President and CEO and COO of the company.

Administrative:

• Personnel Administration - oversee the Construction Management team and any other team members appointed based on the company's growth and needs, including assisting in hiring.
• Provide training, coaching, discipline, motivation, setting goals, and providing 1:1 guidance to ensure each Construction employee reaches their highest potential.
• Directly involved in ongoing communication with each staff member regarding project performance, performance trends, and taking corrective measures to ensure success.
• Work with all stakeholders: Owners, Development team, Finance, Accounting, etc., to ensure continuity of departmental operations.
• Responsible for continually improving the reporting process and for the accuracy of all reporting to stakeholders. All reporting changes will be approved by the President and CEO.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to optimize employee development and training for the Construction Team.
• Set a high standard for achievement and professionalism through their own personal example.
• Coordinate construction-related litigation and negotiation of unique legal documents with in-house counsel and the company.
• Provide support and/or manage issues relating to legal and property liability issues.

Budgeting & Financial Management:

• Responsible for approval of all drafted annual operating budgets before final presentation to the President and CEO of the company.
• Work directly with the President and CEO to ensure accurate data collection, assembly, and submission of annual operating budget for the department. Will perform budget variance analysis for the department and take corrective measures to minimize operating expenses.
• Responsible for effective expense management and making decisions for future expense containment (vendors, purchasing, etc.).

Staff Organization & Management:

• Review and recommend changes to the President and CEO necessary to the operations of the division to ensure optimal effectiveness.
• Recommendations to structure will be reflected accordingly on the company's organizational charts; this may require new hiring initiatives and restructuring job duties and responsibilities.

Pure Safety Program:

• Actively participate in, follow, and enforce the company's safety and health programs.
• Participate in bi-annual Safety Committee Meetings.
• Resolve questions, approve, and/or recommend necessary expenditures to correct unsafe conditions.

Development & Acquisitions:

• Involved in the due diligence for new acquisitions, site selections, and development activities.
• Provide the President and CEO and COO with thoughts on aspects of future property operations, market viability, and potential market demand/revenue for any site under consideration.
• May be asked to provide critical analysis during the acquisition or development of a project.

Work Environment/Travel:

• Performing the duties, the employee will regularly be in an office setting but may require on-site construction environment where they may be exposed to moving mechanical components and equipment, high and sub-grade places, fumes, and/or airborne particles, weather conditions, and electrical systems. The noise of the environments is often moderate to loud.
• Required to travel to markets that are currently in development and construction and/or for future development opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree with emphasis in technical disciplines such as Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, construction management, or equivalent technical area of study.
• Candidate must possess:
• Knowledge and application of construction estimating, cost, project controls/scheduling, documentation, engineering/construction principles, techniques, materials, applications, and practices.
• Understanding of contracts, documents, drawings, and specifications.
• Applied experience in the areas of project accounting, cost, administrative, and personnel interaction in professional settings.
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite products, and experience with project-related systems.
• Self-starter energetic personality who enjoys working with others.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills must be able to clearly explain and demonstrate concepts/skills to others.
• Strong work ethic and be able to work both individually and in group settings.
• Ability to represent the client and related entities in a professional manner at all times to ensure company policies and procedures as well as compliance to all applicable laws and regulations.
• Professional presentation to be compatible with the established guidelines.
• Ability to conduct business with enthusiasm, assertiveness, and have the ability to serve as a role model for subordinates exuding a positive attitude and professional decorum.

Benefits & Perks:

• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401k Match (4%), PTO.
• Medical Highmark BlueShield of Northeastern NY with HSA option; eligibility 1st of the month following 60 days.
• Dental/Vision Guardian; eligibility 1st of the month following 60 days.
• Life Insurance Company-paid Basic Life Insurance Policy (1x Annual Salary) with additional Voluntary Life Plans; eligibility 1st of the month following 60 days.
• Retirement Plan Voya Financial; Eligibility After 1 Year of Service; 4% Company Match.
• Additional Benefits Employee Assistance Program; Concierge Medicine (telemedicine service, including Mental Health); Tuition Assistance Program.
• PTO Personal (24 Hours), Sick (56 Hours), and Vacation Time (40 Hours; escalated based on years of service up to 160 Hours); eligibility after 90-day Introductory Period.
• Holidays 10 Company Paid Holidays.