Project Development Director Jobs in Charlottesville, VA

At Clark, we build more than landmark structures - we build leaders. We seek driven individuals who take ownership, rise to complex challenges, and deliver our uncompromised standard of excellence. Known across the industry for exceptional performance, Clark shapes communities through some of today's most high-profile and technically demanding projects. We empower you with real responsibility early in your career, backed by robust resources, structured mentorship, and a culture that pushes you to go further. Here, the standard is higher because we don't just build great projects; we build the people who make them possible.

The Role

The Engineer role is your opportunity to build a comprehensive understanding of our business from day one.

From formal training to mentorship, you'll develop the technical skills, leadership instincts, and business acumen of seasoned experts. Clark's network of companies spans every stage of construction, giving you room to explore, specialize, and grow.

Through diverse, hands-on experiences, you will gain invaluable insights across our core operations, including project management, project development, field management, and business operations.

Responsibilities

Your first few years with Clark will be defined by dynamic Career Building Experiences, where you will be exposed to:

• Project Management: Working in project management gives you an understanding of the day-to-day and long-term business and financial management associated with construction projects.

  • Financial Management - Review gross billings, track change orders, and subcontractor requisitions

  • Document Control - Manage the submittals, RFI, and material tracking process

  • Trade Partner Success - Become a trusted advisor to our subcontractors to plan for a successful field installation

• Field Management: Learn the intricacies of the building process, assist in site logistics, and ensure quality and safety on our jobsites.

  • Quality Control and Safety - Monitor tradeworkers with emphasis on the quality of work and safety

  • Project Schedule - Assist with schedule management and site logistics

  • Critical Thinking - Resolve unforeseen challenges within installation, schedule, and trade partner coordination

• Project Development: Understand how we acquire new work, develop winning strategies, and build strong client relationships through budgeting, estimating, and purchasing

  • Budgeting - Review initial contract documents, solicit, and provide preliminary evaluations of subcontractor bids

  • Estimating - Perform quantity takeoffs, prepare the overall bid proposal, and quantify labor and material prices required for projects

  • Purchasing - Collaborate to execute subcontractor agreements, review the scope of work, and manage relationships with subcontractors

• Business Operations: Explore the essential functions that keep our company running smoothly, gaining a holistic view of the Clark organization.

As a member of the Clark team, you will be an ambassador for our business and culture. In addition to the core job functions you will learn, you will be expected to:

• Drive Stakeholder Success: Exceed our clients' and partners' expectations by anticipating their needs, desires, and goals.

• Foster Business Growth: Building meaningful industry connections to bring potential business opportunities to Clark leadership.

• Recruit the Next Generation of Talent: Embrace our "All team members are recruiters" mindset by building and leveraging relationships to help attract and recruit top talent to Clark.

Basic Qualifications

• Pursuing an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) or a master's degree, with an expected graduation in Winter 2026 or Spring 2027

• Interest and passion for the construction industry
  

What a Successful Candidate Looks Like

We look for individuals who embody these core principles:

1. Enthusiasm & Drive: Be punctual and dedicated, staying until work is done. Arrive early for meetings and events. Be a proactive team player - ask how you can help and be present. Take initiative, represent the company professionally (dress, demeanor), and build trust with your team, clients, and stakeholders. Proactively seek ways to contribute to team success, and always maintain a positive attitude.

2. Delivery & Performance: Reliably meet the expectations of your role and commitments. Understand and follow Clark's standard procedures. Take on new responsibilities, dig into the details, and bring solutions to problems. Take ownership, be accountable, and demonstrate responsiveness with a sense of urgency.

3. Learning & Growth: Immerse yourself in Clark's culture, your team, and your community. Fulfill Clark Corporate University learning requirements. Be engaged, accountable, and self-directed in your learning - be curious! Continuously build your technical expertise and grow your business acumen.

The work environment and requirements described below are representative of those necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role.

The Physical Side of the Role: This is an active, hands-on role. You can expect to be on your feet frequently, navigating active job sites with uneven terrain, stairs, ladders, and hoists. The work is physically demanding and requires a full range of motion, including bending, kneeling, and reaching. You'll need to be comfortable frequently lifting and carrying materials up to 25 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds. This role requires the ability to communicate effectively, as well as visual acuity for reading plans and inspecting work. The role does include desk time in the office that may require prolonged periods of sitting for tasks like computer work, document review, and meetings.

Your Work Environment: You'll spend a significant amount of your time on active construction sites, which means being adaptable to all kinds of weather and moderate to loud noise levels, and comfortable in elevated or confined work areas with moving mechanical equipment and with the fast-paced nature of a project in progress. You will also spend time in a typical office setting with moderate noise levels. Your safety is our top priority, and you'll be expected to follow Clark Construction's safety policies and procedures, and all applicable laws, at all locations.

Our High-Performing Culture: This is a demanding, high-performance environment. We are looking for candidates who are energized by challenge, thrive under pressure, and are prepared to do what it takes to achieve exceptional results. Success in this role requires significant commitment, including flexibility to work extended hours, especially during critical project phases or client deadlines.

Clark offers a total compensation package that includes base salary, bonus potential, and a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision benefits, paid time off, retirement/401k, and Company Contribution plan. Additional benefits include life insurance, commuter benefit, short & long term disability, fitness reimbursement, FSA, tuition reimbursement, back-up daycare, tutoring & family support benefits, EAP/Work-Life assistance, and a holiday contribution program. For this role the base salary range is $77,500 - $95,000. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate's education, experience, skills, and geographic location. Base pay is one part of the Total Compensation Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work. https://www.clarkconstruction.com/careers/clark-experience