National Director – Federal Operations, Special Projects

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Alabama, +42 more locations.

📋 Description

• Develop and implement strategies for Federal Construction Operations that align with WPE’s federal growth objectives and business goals.

• Create the federal delivery function, encompassing organizational structure, staffing plans, procedures, and project controls.

• Define collaboration between Federal and Special Projects along with regional construction teams.

• Assess federal and special project pursuits, delivery capabilities, and organizational risk exposure.

• Lead and manage federal construction projects, including ESPC, UESC, and other federal contract vehicles.

• Ensure adherence to FAR, DFARS, agency technical standards, contract terms, federal labor regulations, and safety protocols.

• Supervise project delivery in operational federal facilities, considering phasing, site access, security, and the continuity of critical operations.

• Facilitate the transition from development through design, construction, commissioning, measurement and verification, and operations.

• Spearhead special projects related to central plants, utility-scale and campus photovoltaics, BESS, microgrids, cogeneration, and campus-wide distribution systems.

• Support design-build, CMAR, and public-private partnership delivery models.

• Direct recovery efforts on troubled or at-risk projects.

• Establish project controls, including baseline schedules, look-ahead scheduling, cost forecasting, and monthly project reviews.

• Maintain project risk registers with owners and mitigation strategies.

• Oversee submittal processes, procurement, and tracking of long-lead equipment.

• Manage requests for equitable adjustment, claims avoidance, and change order documentation.

• Develop contractor quality control programs and supervise documentation, inspections, testing, and closeout deliverables.

• Advocate for safety, accountability, ethical practices, and regulatory compliance.

• Act as the operational lead with federal clients, Contracting Officers, facility managers, and agency program offices.

• Foster relationships with clients, partners, subcontractors, engineers, financiers, and stakeholders.

• Assist in business development through pursuit strategies, past performance documentation, proposals, interviews, and presentations.

• Recruit, mentor, and evaluate federal and special project teams.

• Enhance federal delivery expertise through targeted training.

• Hold responsibility for portfolio revenue, gross margin, forecasting, and cash flow management.

• Monitor financial performance of projects and implement corrective actions as necessary.

• Utilize project management software and data tools to enhance transparency, reporting, and payment processes.

• Document lessons learned and lead initiatives for continuous improvement.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

• At least 15+ years of progressive experience in construction operations or project delivery, including proven experience in leading federal construction projects.

• Strong preference for experience in delivering energy savings performance contracts (ESPC) or UESCs.

• Familiarity with federal contract vehicles like MATOC, MACC, or IDIQ task orders is an advantage.

• Knowledge of the FAR and agency supplements such as DFARS, Contracting Officer authority, and federal change and closeout processes.

• Experience managing projects in occupied, mission-critical facilities such as VA medical centers, military installations, correctional facilities, and university campuses.

• Expertise in establishing and managing contractor quality control programs.

• Preferred USACE Construction Quality Management (CQM) certification, or to be obtained within six months of hire.

• Understanding of EM 385-1-1, OSHA, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, and certified payroll requirements.

• Strong background in energy and infrastructure scopes including central plants, HVAC, building automation, electrical distribution, photovoltaics, BESS, and microgrids.

• Proven leadership in building and managing multidisciplinary project teams across various states and regions.

• Demonstrated success in establishing project controls and standardizing construction processes across regions.

• Record of recovering troubled or delayed projects while maintaining broader leadership responsibilities.

• Experience with design-build, CMAR, P3, and performance contracting delivery models.

• Strong financial acumen, including management of large project portfolios, cost forecasting, and ensuring profitability.

• Experience in supporting federal business development, including pursuit strategies, proposals, and interviews.

• Active general contractor licenses in multiple states, with the ability to serve as a qualifying individual, strongly preferred.

• Preference for DBIA, PMP, or similar professional certifications.

• Ability to pass federal background checks and obtain installation access; active security clearance is a plus.

• Proficient in construction management, scheduling, and project controls software such as Procore, Primavera P6, and Microsoft Project.

• Excellent communication, leadership, negotiation, and executive decision-making skills.

• Demonstrated ethical judgment, professionalism, and commitment to organizational values.

• Willingness to travel as necessary.

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equal opportunity employment.

• Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

• Support for federal background investigations and installation access.

• Professional development through training on federal contracting, quality control, safety, and compliance requirements.

• Opportunity to engage in high-profile federal construction and special projects.

• Travel support as needed for projects, clients, and operational teams.