The Assistant Director of Construction provides operational and strategic leadership for healthcare construction project delivery across the health system. This role oversees Construction Project Managers and Senior Construction Project Managers and is accountable for ensuring consistent execution of capital projects in alignment with scope, schedule, budget, quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
Essential Job Statements
Directs day-to-day management of the healthcare construction portfolio, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with regulatory standards.
Oversees performance of Principal, Senior, and Project Managers, providing leadership, coaching, accountability, and professional development.
Establishes standardized construction delivery processes, project controls, reporting protocols, and governance structures across the department.
Monitors enterprise-wide construction budgets, forecasts, contingencies, and cash flow, escalating financial risks and recommending mitigation strategies.
Leads risk identification and mitigation efforts across the project portfolio, proactively addressing schedule, cost, operational, and safety exposures.
Partners with clinical, operational, facilities, IT, infection prevention, and safety leaders to coordinate construction sequencing in active healthcare environments.
Advises executive leadership on capital delivery strategy, contractor performance, procurement approaches, and complex dispute resolution.
Ensures compliance with healthcare regulations, life-safety standards, infection control requirements, and authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) expectations.
Coordinates integration between Planning, Construction and Transition & Activation teams to align building readiness with operational activation milestones.
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or related field
Education Preferred: Master’s Degree in Business, Finance, Construction Management, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Project Management or related field
Licensing/ Certification
Licensure Required: NA
Licensure Preferred: NA
Certification Required: NA
Certification Preferred: Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) from AHA/ASHE or Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) or Project Management Professional (PMP)
Minimum Qualifications
Years and Type of Required Experience: 15+ years of progressive experience in healthcare real estate or capital project management.
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: Maintains visibility into project health across scope, schedule, cost, and risk.Demonstrates deep knowledge of healthcare codes, ICRA, ILSM, and operational phasing.Holds team accountable for measurable outcomes.Sets clear expectations and performance standards.Provides stability and clarity in complex situations.Identifies and mentors high-potential team members.
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: Understands capital planning strategy and long-range system goals.
Working Conditions: Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. General office environment. May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold, hot, dust, wind, etc. Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions. May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights. May have periods of constant interruptions.
Physical Requirements
Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.), Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.), Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.), Stoop, Kneel, Squat, Crawling, Climbing, Balance, Bending
Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing
Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards
Physical Requirements: Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination), Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder, Reach above shoulder
Hazards: Exposure to dust/fumes , Exposure to high pitched noises
Mental/Sensory – Emotional
Mental/Sensory: Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem Solving, Hearing, Speak Clearly, Write Legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking
Emotional : Fast pace environment, Able to Handle Multiple Priorities, Frequent and Intense Customer Interactions, Noisy Environment, Able to Adapt to Frequent Change
EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.
We are a strong, passionate team of more than 12,500 who take pride in caring for every person who comes through our doors. We lift each other up so we can provide the very best and safest care to those who need us most. Together. Every day.
With the support of our university, we make up an academic medical center committed to excellence in patient care, innovation and training tomorrow’s health care workforce. We continue to educate, research and evolve – staying on the cutting edge of care.
As a community of innovators, every team member can contribute a spark of ingenuity igniting a force to discover the next cure, hold the next hand, solve the greatest challenges and create the health care of tomorrow.
We foster an atmosphere of respect and welcoming for all communities. We infuse our teams with diverse talent that inspires everyone to contribute openly and freely, maximizing their impact and creating meaningful change for our patients and community.
Join our team and help us create a new kind of patient experience. Join VCU Health.
EEO Statement:
VCU Health System strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against, or harassment of, team members, applicants, or any other covered persons because of age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex (sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and pregnancy), protected veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Pay Transparency Provisions:
VCU Health System complies with the Pay Transparency Provisions.
