Director of Construction - Chicago - CRG

Description

About Us

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.

About CRG

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 Role We Want You For

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.

The Specifics of the Role

• 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; escalate 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 punchlist discipline.
• Ensure all projects adhere to life-safety, accessibility, and code requirements; support commissioning and systems training.
• Champion jobsite safety culture and performance expectations with GC partners.
• Lead turnover strategy designed around student move-in deadlines (tight punch windows, phased turnover, furniture/FF&E coordination if applicable).
• Coordinate commissioning, inspections, CO/TCO, life-safety certifications, access control integration, and as-builts/O&M delivery.
• Drive closeout completion: warranty tracking, lien waivers, final accounting, and lessons learned.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Project Managers / Owners Reps (as applicable).
• Build a high-performing vendor network (GCs, MEP subs, consultants) and maintain preferred partner relationships.
• Standardize best practices, reporting templates, and construction playbooks across the portfolio.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, Design, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field
• 4–8+ years of experience in real estate development, preferably with student housing or multifamily projects
• Proven experience managing ground-up development projects exceeding $50MM+ in total cost
• Strong understanding of zoning, entitlements, construction processes, and design, development and finance
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and real estate financial modeling
• Excellent project management, communication, and negotiation skills

Some Things You Should Know

• This position is based in Chicago, IL.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs across the United States.
• The pace is fast

Why Join Clayco and CRG?

• Join a mission-driven, entrepreneurial team backed by Clayco's national platform.
• Gain visibility and impact at the highest levels of leadership.
• Be a part of landmark real estate projects across the U.S.
• Work in an innovative culture that values speed, integrity, and excellence.
• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal. 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders – Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
• RE Journals: 2023 Developer of the Year.
• RE Journals: #1 Midwest Developer (2020 & 2021), Top 4 Midwest Developer (2022–2024).
• Industrial Influencer (2021, 2022 & 2024).
• Multifamily Influencer (2023 & 2024).
• Crain's Chicago Business, NAIOP, , Student Housing Business, , Connect CRE, RE Journals: Award-winning leadership and rising stars across multiple disciplines.

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $110,000 - $140,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).