Assistant Director

About This Position

Job Description:

Assistant Director, Austin Capital Delivery Services (2 Positions)

Purpose:

Under the general direction of the Austin Capital Delivery Services Director, this position is accountable for planning, directing, and providing leadership for Austin Capital Delivery Services in one (1) or more program areas, such as preliminary engineering, project management, design oversight, construction management planning, business support services to include development and management of the associated operational and administrative controls, policies, and procedures.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and performance standards.
• Develops and implements a capital delivery services staffing structure that supports the efficient delivery of the City’s Capital Program, accomplishment of major goals including strategic planning, program development, establishing procedures, staffing management, budgeting, and financial management.
• Coordinates capital delivery services activities with other departments, outside agencies, and organizations.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with various City departments to ensure capital projects are managed in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Assists in the preparation, presentation, and monitoring of departmental budget.
• Represents the department at City Council meetings, citizens groups, and boards and commission meetings.
• Responds to and resolves sensitive inquiries and complaints from both internal and external sources.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge and demonstrated experience in the technical aspects of design, construction, maintenance, repair, and operation of the physical assets of public facilities.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to interpret, recommend and propose revisions to state statutes and city ordinances.
• Ability to communicate complex, technical issues in non-technical terms to the general public.
• Ability to maintain effective communication and working relationships with Boards and Commissions, city employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Engineering, Business, Public Administration, or a closely related field, plus eight (8) years of related experience, four (4) of which were in a managerial capacity.
• Master’s degree may substitute for two (2) years of the required work experiences.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None.

Preferred Qualifications for the Assistant Director – Capital Project Governance & Controls:

• Demonstrated experience leading a Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and Project Controls (PC) teams or Project Management with knowledge of capital project cost estimating, schedule management, risk management, and project delivery lifecycle.

• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering capital projects reports to support operational and strategic decisions to internal staff, Department and City Leadership, and the public.

• Evidence of strong communication skills and ability to translate technical project and financial project details into understandable and decision-focused information for a broad audience of stakeholders and customers.

• Demonstrated experience in teambuilding for a diverse staff (experience, backgrounds, and interpersonal skills) and consensus-building for a broad range of stakeholders and customers.

Preferred Qualifications for the Assistant Director – Project Delivery:

• Texas Professional Engineering license as issued by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPELS) preferred, or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.

• Demonstrated experience leading Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) with knowledge of capital project cost estimating, schedule management, risk management, and project delivery lifecycle.

• Knowledge of municipal infrastructure systems, civil engineering and construction administration principles, government procurement, consultant and contractor oversight, contract negotiation, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

• Evidence of strong communication skills and ability to translate technical project and financial project details into understandable and decision-focused information for a broad audience of stakeholders and customers.

Notes to Candidate:

Assistant Director – Capital Project Governance & Controls

Other Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities:

• Lead Citywide capital program, integrating project delivery, financial performance, schedules, risks, commitments, and forecasts to provide leadership with a clear and timely view of portfolio performance.
• Responsible for the capital forecasting and performance-management framework, ensuring project schedules, expenditures, commitments, anticipated cash requirements, and delivery expectations are aligned and forward-looking.
• Establish and lead a robust project controls environment encompassing cost, schedule, scope, risk, change management, milestones, and performance, with a focus on early identification of issues and corrective action.
• Provide executive leadership with actionable capital program data, translating complex project-level information into concise analysis, trends, risks, decisions, and recommended management actions.
• Champion a proactive approach to capital program risk management, establishing mechanisms to identify, assess, monitor, and escalate risks before they materially affect cost, schedule, scope, funding, or project outcomes.
• Lead project readiness and readiness-to-proceed assessments, ensuring projects demonstrate appropriate scope, funding, schedule, delivery strategy, resources, and risk readiness before advancing through key decision points.
• Establish clear accountability for capital project performance, developing consistent performance measures, reporting standards, escalation thresholds, and management expectations across the capital portfolio.
• Direct the development of executive dashboards and capital performance reporting, creating a single, reliable view of project and portfolio status that supports timely leadership decisions.

Assistant Director – Project Delivery

Other Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities:

• Capital Project Leadership: Experience leading large-scale capital improvement and infrastructure projects from concept through completion, including scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, and project delivery.
• CIP and Financial Management: Experience developing and implementing multi-year CIPs, project budgets, funding strategies, cost forecasts, and financial tracking in a public-sector environment.
• Technical and Strategic Communication: Ability to translate complex technical and financial information into clear, decision-focused reports and presentations for City leadership, elected officials, staff, stakeholders, and the public.
• Project Delivery and Contract Oversight: Knowledge of procurement, consultant and contractor management, contract negotiation, construction administration, and regulatory compliance.
• Infrastructure, Regulatory, and Interagency Coordination: Knowledge of municipal infrastructure systems and applicable regulations, with demonstrated experience coordinating with regulatory agencies, TxDOT, counties, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Leadership and Consensus Building: Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop diverse staff, build consensus among stakeholders, resolve complex issues, and foster accountability and collaboration.

To view the detailed Recruitment Profile for these two positions, please click here.

To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Austin Capital Delivery Services

Austin Capital Delivery Services (CDS) builds public projects to support the community. We have the right people with the right experience to plan, design, build, and inspect to deliver projects on-time and on-budget. The core of our staff includes engineers, architects, and construction professionals with a wealth of experience managing small and large projects. We bring additional expertise to the table through collaboration with our partners – whether community members, consultants, contracting teams, or other City departments. We are focused on one City, one team, one approach.

Public projects, also known as capital improvement projects, can range from roads and bridges to libraries to trails, and so much more.

What to Expect in the Roles

Assistant Director – Capital Project Governance & Controls:

The selected candidate will provide leadership for key business and project controls functions within Austin Capital Delivery Services, with two direct reports. The Assistant Director will work closely with the Director and department leadership to support capital forecasting and performance management, establish and lead a robust project controls environment, and implement capital reporting mechanisms across the Austin Capital Delivery Services capital portfolio.

The role includes responsibility for working across teams and functions to support the department’s capital program and advance organizational priorities. The Assistant Director will help identify emerging issues, strengthen accountability, and ensure leadership has the information needed to make timely and informed decisions.

Initial priorities may include building greater visibility into project performance, risks, readiness, and delivery expectations, while strengthening the consistency of information available to leadership. The Assistant Director will balance these responsibilities with emerging priorities that may require quick coordination, thoughtful analysis, and timely execution.

The selected candidate should be prepared to navigate these areas while supporting strong operations, employee engagement, community trust, and long-term service excellence.

Assistant Director – Project Delivery:

The selected candidate will provide leadership for project delivery functions within Austin Capital Delivery Services, with three direct reports. The Assistant Director will work closely with the Director and department leadership to advance project delivery across the department’s capital portfolio, including civil, utility, and construction management functions.

The role will require collaboration across teams and functions to support the capital program and advance organizational priorities. The Assistant Director will identify emerging issues, strengthen accountability, manage risks, and ensure leadership has timely, accurate, and actionable information to support informed decisions.

Initial priorities may include advancing CDS’ capital portfolio on budget and schedule; strengthening project readiness, delivery expectations, and risk management; and improving the consistency and quality of information available to leadership. The Assistant Director will balance these priorities with emerging needs that require timely coordination, thoughtful analysis, and decisive execution.

The selected candidate should be prepared to lead through complex and evolving priorities while supporting operational excellence, employee engagement, community trust, and the department’s long-term commitment to reliable and effective capital delivery.

The Ideal Candidates

The ideal candidates are highly organized, results-oriented leaders who bring structure and clarity to complex environments and follow through on commitments. The successful candidates will demonstrate strong business and operational acumen, sound judgment, and the ability to balance strategic thinking with effective execution. They will be adaptable and composed when priorities shift, comfortable operating in highly visible environments, and skilled at building credibility and productive relationships across the organization.

The following core competencies are important for both roles:

• Strategic and Organizational Leadership – Brings structure to complex environments, establishes clear priorities, and aligns people and resources around organizational goals.
• Execution and Accountability – Takes ownership of results, follows initiatives through to completion, and creates a culture of responsibility, accountability, and follow-through.
• Business, Financial, and Operational Acumen – Understands the relationship between financial resources, capital program priorities, project delivery, and operational performance and applies that understanding to sound decision-making.
• Executive Agility and Judgment – Navigates changing priorities, ambiguity, complex issues, and high-visibility situations with sound judgment, discretion, adaptability, and composure.
• Communication and Relationship Management – Communicates effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, builds trust across organizational boundaries, and develops productive relationships with executives, employees, partners, contractors, consultants, and stakeholders.

Salary Range: The salary range is $194,000 to $204,000 annually.

Location: One Texas Center: 505 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Days and Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Monday – Friday.

*Hours may vary depending upon business needs. This position is on-site.

Assessment:
An assessment may be required as part of the recruitment process.

Regarding Your Application:

• A detailed and complete Employment Application is required. A Resume and Cover Letter are required and will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online Employment Application.
• Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application.
• This position requires a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).
• A first review of candidates will occur on October 31, 2026. To apply, candidates must complete this online application. Interested candidates should apply early in the process for optimum consideration.

Note: Information submitted for consideration may be made available to the public in compliance with the Texas Open Records Act.

Financial Disclosure Requirement:

This position is subject to the City of Austin’s financial disclosure requirements. Under City Code Chapter 2-7, Article 5, individuals serving in designated positions are required to file public statements of financial information with the City Clerk.

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JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

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EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.