Project Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Uprite Construction is looking for an experienced Project Director to join our Irvine team. This person will provide leadership across complex commercial construction projects while supporting project teams, client relationships, financial performance, and overall project execution.

We are specifically looking for someone who has built their career working for a commercial general contractor and brings strong cold storage construction experience. The right person should understand the technical and operational challenges that come with temperature controlled facilities and be comfortable leading large projects and teams from preconstruction through completion.

Provide overall leadership for complex commercial construction projects from preconstruction through closeout

Oversee Project Managers, Senior Project Managers, Project Engineers, Superintendents, and other project team members

Lead ground up cold storage, temperature controlled, food and beverage, industrial, and related commercial projects

Partner with Preconstruction on estimating, constructability, budgeting, procurement strategy, scheduling, and subcontractor selection

Maintain executive level relationships with clients, architects, consultants, subcontractors, and project partners

Oversee project financial performance including budgets, forecasts, cost reports, change management, owner billing, and overall profitability

Review project schedules and work closely with field leadership to identify risks and keep projects moving

Provide guidance on complex construction challenges involving refrigeration systems, insulated building envelopes, temperature controlled environments, specialized MEP systems, and cold storage operations

Lead contract negotiations, subcontractor buyout, procurement, and major project decisions

Identify project risks early and work with teams to develop practical solutions

Ensure project teams maintain strong communication, documentation, quality, safety, and client service

Mentor and develop Project Managers and other team members while helping establish clear expectations and accountability

Support business development efforts, client relationships, pursuits, interviews, and repeat business opportunities

Work closely with Uprite leadership on staffing, project strategy, operational planning, and company growth

10 plus years of progressive commercial construction experience

Experience working directly for a commercial general contractor is required

Significant cold storage or temperature controlled construction experience is required

Strong ground up construction background

Experience leading large and technically complex commercial or industrial projects

Proven experience overseeing multiple project teams or major projects simultaneously

Strong understanding of project financials, forecasting, contracts, buyout, change management, scheduling, and risk management

Experience working with refrigeration, insulated panels, temperature controlled building systems, food processing, distribution, or similar specialized facilities is highly preferred

Ability to lead projects from early preconstruction and estimating through construction and final closeout

Strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, design partners, and project stakeholders

Proven ability to mentor and develop Project Managers and project teams

Strong communication, leadership, problem solving, and decision making skills

Procore, Bluebeam, Microsoft Office, and construction scheduling software experience preferred

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred

This is not intended for someone whose experience has primarily been on the owner side, developer side, construction management consulting side, or with a specialty subcontractor. We are looking for someone who understands how a commercial general contractor operates and has personally been responsible for delivering projects, managing project financials, leading teams, coordinating subcontractors, and maintaining client relationships.

Cold storage experience is an important part of this position. Candidates should be able to speak specifically about the cold storage projects they have delivered, their personal level of responsibility, project size and value, refrigeration and temperature controlled systems involved, and the challenges they encountered during construction.

Uprite Construction Corporation generally does not utilize third party recruiting agencies. Any agency involvement must be initiated and approved through Uprite Talent Acquisition and follow our established internal process. Unsolicited resumes or candidate information submitted outside of this process will not establish an agency relationship or fee obligation.