Project Executive - Mission Critical

About Alston Construction:

Alston Construction Company is a nationwide general contractor, with more than 20 offices coast to coast. For over 35 years we have delivered on our promises to our employees, clients, and business partners. We offer extremely competitive salaries, a superb benefits package, and a great place to work! In addition to routinely receiving awards for our projects and safety performance, we have also received numerous “Best Places to Work” awards!

We look for passionate construction professionals who share our core values, to include: commitment, integrity, teamwork, and respect. As our CEO, Paul Little, says “In order to be successful at Alston Construction, you must enjoy seeing success in others.” If this sounds like you and what you’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you!

Our top tier benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, prescription safety glasses, short-term disability, long-term disability, life  insurance/AD&D, HSA, health FSA, dependent daycare FSA, EAP, 401(k), Roth  401(k), After-Tax Roth In-Plan Conversion; paid vacation and sick time, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, Tickets at Work, paid Identity Theft Protection (family coverage) and more!

Job Summary: The Project Executive plays a key leadership role in driving operational success of the company by overseeing the daily management, coordination, and execution of high stakes projects within assigned business units. This role is responsible for ensuring the effective performance of project teams, including mentoring, developing, and training operations staff to uphold the highest standards of excellence. The Project Executive ensures all projects align with company policies, industry’s best practices, and financial objectives. A particular focus is placed on mission critical facilities - such as data centers and other continuously operating environments - which demand expertise in fast-track delivery, advanced MEP systems, phased commissioning, and uncompromising quality and reliability standards.

Project Location: Springfield, IL (On-site | Travel Required)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities will include:

The Project Executive will be primarily involved with performing the following duties and responsibilities.

Operations

• As part of the mission critical leadership team, this position requires a balanced skillset of; business development, relationship management, preconstruction management, operational excellence, business strategy, and team leadership.
• Participate in establishing short and long-term goals and objectives for business unit(s), consistent with corporate goals and objectives, and communicate to staff.
• Make recommendations for ways to improve business operations (including processes, procedures and best operating practices), looking for ways to improve efficiency and profitability and to increase client satisfaction.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Company staff, prospective and current clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors. Provide oversight to ensure Operations staff is properly managing client relationships.
• Review contracts and assist VP/GM, SVP/RM and Risk Management with mitigating risks associated with project and contract terms.
• Identify key issues in contract disputes and assist in mediating the issues to an acceptable resolution by all parties.
• Assist VP/GM, SVP/RM and Risk Management in managing warranty and post warranty claims.
• Provide oversight to ensure all projects are completed in a quality manner, on time and within budget.
• Review ongoing project performance, to include staffing, document control, job cost management, quality control, proper change order processing, attaining/enhancing fee, etc.
• Ensure subcontracts are “bought” in a fair and equitable manner and confirm all scope is purchased at a current market price.
• Act within and ensure compliance with Alston Construction’s “Levels of Authority”.
• Coordinate and confer with staff to resolve operating problems and challenges.
• Resolve conflicts that could impede Alston Construction’s ability to meet goals and client expectations.
• Consistently provide others with appropriate day-to-day and strategic information so others can make informed decisions.
• Provide executive oversight on complex MEP coordination and integration for high-reliability infrastructure systems (e.g., UPS, generators, chillers, BMS integration).
• Lead strategic planning for phased delivery and white space readiness in high-demand, fast-track construction schedules.
• Ensure that commissioning milestones (e.g., FAT, SAT, IST) are fully integrated into project lifecycle and tracked to completion.
• Provide executive level reporting and updates on project status, milestones, KPI’s and financials.
• Actively participate in local and national industry groups to aid in the development of new business opportunities.

Staff Management

• Provide leadership and guidance to staff; provide oversight to ensure effective and efficient operation of business unit(s) and compliance with Alston Construction’s established policies and procedures.
• Proactively identify workforce needs. Assist in recruiting efforts through networking in the local community. Interview and assist in the selection of new staff.
• Communicate regularly with staff. Evaluate performance of Operations staff and provide them with regular, ongoing feedback (positive as well as constructive areas for improvement or development opportunities); assist VP/GM and/or SVP/RM in completing timely formal performance evaluations.
• Mentor, develop and train Operations staff.
• Recommend appropriate personnel actions (e.g., salary adjustments, bonuses, promotions, layoffs, training, disciplinary actions, etc.).
• Create and foster collaborative and effective team relationships.
• Mentor and develop team capabilities around mission critical design, construction phasing, critical power transitions, and redundant system integration.
• Promote a culture of precision, speed, and proactive issue resolution to support uptime requirements.
  

Measures:

The following measures are typical of the Project Executive position, but are not all encompassing.

• Profitability of assigned business unit(s).
• Projects meet contractual delivery date.
• Safety performance.
• Client satisfaction (may be qualitative measures; occasional visits with clients by VP/GM, SVP/RM or others, client reference letters, etc.).
• Performance of staff (including overall job performance, remaining current in Alston Construction required training, and professional development).
• Turnover rate of personnel.
• Actual expenses versus budgeted.
• Annual performance evaluations of staff (quality, timeliness, and percentage complete).
• Commissioning completion to support substantial completion.
• Adherence to owner uptime requirements and critical path milestones.
• Client satisfaction specific to zero-downtime expectations.

This position will also require performance of the following duties:

• Conduct or participate in presentations to clients.
• Assist in identifying new work opportunities and advise VP/GM of potential projects with existing and new clients and lead or participate in the pursuit of project leads.
• Participate in applicable corporate meetings and forums.
• As necessary or as requested by the VP/GM, perform Project Management and Superintendent duties from time to time to ensure proper job level performance is maintained.
• Fostering relationships with mission critical end-users, hyperscale clients, and third-party commissioning agents.
• Serve as the executive point of contact for enterprise and colocation providers.
  
  

Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive operations experience, to include supervisory experience, with a general contractor.
• Minimum of 5 years leading data center or mission critical facility projects preferred.
  
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Proven success managing multi-million-dollar projects with tight deadlines and high complexity.
• Design-build experience on relevant project types.
• Valid State-issued driver’s license and vehicle insurance which meets Alston Construction liability coverage requirements and satisfactory driving record.

Alston Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer.