Director, Construction at WS Development in Chestnut Hill, MA

Position Overview Reporting to the Vice President of Construction, the Director of Construction will lead the execution and preconstruction strategy across the company’s commercial real estate portfolio focusing on adaptive reuse retail and retail acquisitions within the WS platform. This role is responsible for overseeing the entire construction process, from feasibility analysis and conceptual budgeting through project completion. The Director responsibilities will also include ensuring alignment with company objectives, tenant requirements, and budgetary guidelines. The Director will provide strategic leadership to the Construction Project Management team, ensuring successful project delivery while maintaining high standards of quality, efficiency, and risk management. This role will be based in the WS Chestnut Hill corporate office with some travel required to project sites pending schedule and project activity – for active construction projects travel could range from once to twice a month.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, budgeting, and execution of all construction projects, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.

• Oversee preconstruction activities, including early stage cost analysis. Develop and refine conceptual budgets based on limited internal design documentation, particularly for adaptive reuse, repositioning for retail driven projects.

• Partner with Development, Tenant Construction, Leasing and Studio internal departments to evaluate deal viability, tenant driven scope changes, phasing strategies and return impacts prior to project approval.

• Provide oversight of Project Managers and other construction team members, ensuring project milestones are met and best practices are followed.

• Serve as the primary liaison between internal departments (Leasing, Development, Design Studio, Operations) and external partners, including general contractors, architects, engineers, and consultants.

• Ensure compliance with company design and development standards, as well as all regulatory and code requirements.

• Review and approve project budgets, schedules, change orders, monthly requisitions, and construction contracts.

• Identify, mitigate, and manage project risks early in the development process.

• Guide constructability and design reviews to optimize project feasibility and execution.

• Maintain strong relationships with municipalities, tenants, and other key stakeholders to ensure smooth project approvals and execution.

• Oversee the transition of completed projects to the Operations team, ensuring a seamless handoff and long-term operational success.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the construction department to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

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

• Minimum of 10-12 years of experience in commercial construction, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a developer, general contractor, or construction management firm.

• Extensive knowledge of construction management, budgeting, scheduling, contracts, and regulatory compliance.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects in different phases, ranging in complexity and scale.

• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with experience managing high-performing teams.

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to interact effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners.

• Strategic thinker with a problem-solving mindset and a strong ability to drive projects forward under tight deadlines.

Growth OpportunityThis position offers a pathway to greater leadership within the organization. A successful Director of Construction will have the opportunity to take on increasingly complex projects, expand departmental responsibilities, and influence the strategic direction of the construction function within the company.

About WS Development

Massachusetts-based WS Development is a mixed-use developer with a singular mission: creating places people want to be. With an approach that values art, science, innovation and, above all else, people, WS strives to engage each community it serves with best-in-class experiences, designed with our customers, tenants and partners in mind. Established in 1990, WS is one of few vertically-integrated real estate companies that conceptualizes, owns, operates and leases more than 100 properties that range from cutting-edge urban spaces to lifestyle and community centers. With over 22 million square feet of existing space and an additional nine million square feet under development, it is one of the largest privately-owned development firms in the country.

WS is where great ideas and great people come together to design, build, and operate some of the best loved real estate projects in the country. We live at the intersection of entrepreneurship and establishment. We have the infrastructure of decades supporting a culture of free-thinking excellence.

We expect every WS employee to feel welcomed and valued irrespective of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, and life experiences. Or for any other reason.