The United Group of Companies, Inc. – celebrates over 50 Years in Business - specializes in all phases of real estate: development, financing, construction, and property management. Our unique Company delivers a high-quality product and high-end resident experiences within active adult senior living, student housing, multi-family communities housing, commercial properties, and mixed-use neighborhoods. We are honored to have been voted by our employees as one of the Albany Times Union's Top Workplaces for eight consecutive years, along with being named a national Top Workplaces USA employer for four consecutive years, most recently for 2024. We have achieved this recognition by fostering a culture of leadership and accountability, offering a unique environment to our employees that cultivates individual growth and rewards performance.
To learn more about us: https://www.ugoc.com/
We have an immediate need for a Chief Construction Officer to join our team. This is a full-time role that will serve as the Department Head for the Construction Management team, reporting to the President + CEO of United Group.
Key Responsibilities:
The responsibilities that are listed below are not all inclusive; however, they are indicative of the type of responsibilities normally performed by the Chief Construction Officer:
Departmental:
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Provides critical analysis during the design, building construction, and closeout stage of a project. Maintains overall organization, project flow, budget and scheduling.
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Works with Development team on various phases of project development, including site selection, design development, municipal approvals, code review, project performance, cost analysis and construction management of new projects.
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Interprets prepared plans and specifications in providing oversight of construction projects. Keeps accurate records and prepares reports for senior level management review and decision making.
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Understands, interprets and enforces codes, ordinances, construction techniques, means, and methods, scheduling and special requirements related to the construction of a project
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Ensures that the aims, goals and objectives for the department are accomplished within outlined priorities and time limitations.
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Ensures overall project is brought in on time and within budget by effective management of the Construction Management team. Coordinates the successful simultaneous development of several projects.
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Facilitates and trouble shoots problems associated with development of the project architectural design, efficient building systems and mechanicals, and effective construction scheduling and estimating to establish budget controls and financing needs.
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Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contracted in the course of a given project.
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Manages construction schedule changes and project budgets. Evaluates change order requests. Monitors construction, tracking completed quantities of work, to process monthly payment requisitions.
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Provides smooth transition of completed project to owner, oversees, directs, coordinates and ensures all details relative to the project completion and through the warranty period.
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Communicates effectively throughout the organization through clear, concise messaging – both written and verbal
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Interfaces with outside vendors, management firms, financial partners
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Possesses an accurate understanding of the portfolio’s requirements and performance so that it can be effectively communicated to the President + CEO and COO of the Company
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Personnel Administration - will be responsible for overseeing Construction Management team and any other team members appointed based on the company’s growth and needs. Oversight includes assisting in hiring.
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Provides training, coaching, discipline, motivation, setting goals, and providing 1:1 guidance to ensure each Construction employee reaches highest potential.
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Directly involved in on-going communication with each staff member regarding project performance, performance trends, and taking corrective measures to ensure success.
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Works with all stakeholders: Owners, Development team, Finance, Accounting, etc. to ensure continuity of departmental operations.
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Responsible for continually improving the reporting process and for the accuracy of all reporting to stakeholders. All reporting changes will be approved by the President + CEO.
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Collaborates with Human Resources to optimize employee development and training for the Construction Team
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Sets a high standard for achievement and professionalism through their own personal example
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Coordinates construction related litigation and negotiation of unique legal documents with in-house counsel and Company
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Provides support and/or manages issues relating to legal and property liability issues
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Responsible for approval of all drafted annual operating budgets before final presentation to the President + CEO of the Company
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Works directly with all President + CEO to ensure accurate data collection, assembly, and submission of annual operating budget for department. Will perform budget variance analysis for department and take corrective measures minimize operating expenses
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Response for effective expense management and making decisions for future expense containment (vendors, purchasing, etc).
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Reviews and recommends changes to the President + CEO necessary to the operations of the division to ensure optimal effectiveness
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Recommendations to structure will be reflected accordingly on the Company’s organizational charts; this may require new hiring initiatives and restructuring job duties and responsibilities
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Actively participates in, follows, and enforces the Company’s safety and health programs
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Participates in bi-annual Safety Committee Meetings
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Resolves questions, approves and/or recommends necessary expenditures to correct unsafe conditions
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Involved in the due diligence for new acquisitions, site selections, and development activities
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Provides the President + CEO and COO thoughts on aspects of future property operations, market viability, and potential market demand/revenue for any site under consideration
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May be asked to provide critical analysis during the acquisition or development of a project
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Performing the duties, the employee will regularly be in an office setting but may require on-site construction environment where they may be exposed to moving mechanical components and equipment, high and sub grade places, fumes and/or airborne particles, weather conditions, and electrical systems. The noise of the environments is often moderate to loud.
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Required to travel to markets that are currently in development and construction and/or for future development opportunities.
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Position performance will require the occasional physical ability to climb and function in elevation changes to include ladders, scaffolding, etc.
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Ability to manage and negotiate construction work areas in a safe manner and behavior. Vision abilities specific to the position will include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
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Performing in this role will require the use of hands to finger, handle and feel tools, objects, materials, and controls.
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Performance requires the ability to frequently sit, talk, hear, stand, climb, balance, stoop kneel, crouch, or crawl.
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Employee may have to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
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Job Type: Chief Construction Officer; $150K - $175K salary (determined based upon level of experience/qualifications)
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Bachelor's Degree with emphasis in technical disciplines such as Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, construction management, or equivalent technical area of study.
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Candidate must possess:
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Knowledge and application of construction estimating, cost, project controls/scheduling, documentation, engineering/construction principles, techniques, materials, applications, and practices.
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Understanding of contracts, documents, drawings, and specifications.
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Applied experience in the areas of project accounting, cost, administrative, and personnel interaction in professional settings.
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Strong computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite products, and experience with project related systems.
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Self starter! Energetic personality who enjoys working with others.
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Exceptional verbal and written communication skills – must be able to clearly explain and demonstrate concepts/skills to others.
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Strong work ethic and be able to work both individually and in group settings.
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Ability to represent United Group and related entities in a professional manner at all times to ensure Company policies and procedures as well as compliance to all applicable laws and regulations.
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Professional presentation to be compatible with the established guidelines of United Group.
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Ability to conduct business with enthusiasm, assertiveness, and have the ability to serve as a role model for subordinates exuding a positive attitude and professional decorum.
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Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401k Match (4%), PTO
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Medical – Highmark BlueShield of Northeastern NY with HSA option; eligibility 1st of the month following 60 days
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Dental/Vision – Guardian; eligibility 1st of the month following 60 days
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Life Insurance – Company paid Basic Life Insurance Policy (1x Annual Salary) with additional Voluntary Life Plans; eligibility 1st of the month following 60 days
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Retirement Plan – Voya Financial; Eligibility After 1 Year of Service; 4% Company Match
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Additional Benefits – Employee Assistance Program; United Concierge Medicine (telemedicine service, including Mental Health); Tuition Assistance Program
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PTO – Personal (24 Hours), Sick (56 Hours), and Vacation Time (40 Hours; escalated based on years of service up to 160 Hours); eligibility after 90-day Introductory Period
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Holidays – 10 Company Paid Holidays
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected class covered by law.
