Director of Construction

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $7.6 billion in revenue for 2024, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.

CRG is a privately held real estate development and investment firm with deep expertise in industrial, office, student housing, land, and data center assets. Since 1993, we’ve developed over 220 million square feet across 12,500 acres, representing more than $14 billion in value. The firm serves clients and investors from headquarters in Chicago and St. Louis, and regional offices in Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.

CRG manages $2.3 billion in real estate assets across institutional joint ventures and four fund vehicles with over $500 million in AUM. As part of Clayco, a nationally recognized, vertically integrated real estate and construction enterprise, CRG combines the strength and scale of an industry leader with the agility of an entrepreneurial platform.

The Director of Construction is responsible for serving as the main point of contact overseeing the execution of ground-up student housing developments from preconstruction through closeout and stabilization handoff. The Director of Construction will run the owner/architect/contractor meetings, provide answers on behalf of ownership and keep the project team on task including pay application reviews, change order reviews, RFIs and submittals.

This role oversees budgets, schedules, contracting strategy, quality, safety, and project controls across a portfolio of active projects, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery aligned with the company’s design standards, brand, and operational requirements for student move-in.

This leader coordinates internal stakeholders (Development, Design, Finance, Asset Management, Operations/Property Management, Leasing/Marketing) and external partners (GCs, architects, engineers, consultants, municipalities, utilities) to de-risk delivery and drive predictable outcomes.

• Partner with Development and Design to translate underwriting assumptions into executable construction plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Lead GC/CM selection strategy (RFPs, interviews, scope leveling, bid analysis, buyout approach, qualifications).
• Develop and validate GMPs, construction schedules, logistics plans, and phasing strategies tailored to student housing turnover requirements.
• Manage constructability, value engineering, and scope alignment with brand standards and operational needs (durability, unit turns, amenity performance, life-safety, access control).
• Identify long‑lead items and procurement risks early; drive early releases and supply‑chain strategies.
• Direct all construction activity across assigned projects, typically via third‑party GCs/CMs, ensuring compliance with contract documents and company standards.
• Own project controls: schedule adherence, cost forecasting, change management, contingency governance, pay apps, and monthly reporting.
• Lead OAC cadence and executive‑level project reviews; elevate risks with clear mitigation plans.
• Review and approve change orders, RFI impacts, submittals (as appropriate), and claims strategy in collaboration with Legal/Finance.
• Maintain strong field presence during critical phases (sitework, structure, enclosure, MEP rough‑in, interior build, commissioning, punch, turnover).
• Establish project budgets and cost codes aligned with the company’s reporting standards; manage cash flow and forecast accuracy.
• Implement rigorous change control, ensuring scope clarity and protecting underwriting.
• Proactively manage entitlement/utility/municipal risks with Development and project teams.
• Coordinate insurance, bonding, safety compliance expectations, and risk transfer provisions.
• Enforce quality assurance processes: mockups, benchmarks, inspections, and…