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Director of Project Development (commercial construction)

Lincoln, NE

Posted: 10/01/2025 Industry: Construction & Trades Job Number: 3450039 Pay Rate: 95000/year - 130000/year

Job Description

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska (100% onsite)

Compensation: This role offers total compensation up to $150K, including base salary, bonuses, and a full benefits package.


About the Opportunity

We are conducting a confidential search on behalf of an established commercial construction firm with decades of success delivering projects of every size and scope. This is a newly created leadership-track role designed for someone who thrives on building strong client relationships, leading complex projects, and bringing fresh energy, technology, and ideas to a company with a proud reputation for integrity and quality.


The person selected will initially join as a Senior Manager or Director of Project Development, with a clear path to move into a Director of Business Development role as they demonstrate leadership impact. This position is ideal for an ambitious professional ready to make their mark and grow into senior leadership.


Key Responsibilities

  • Build and maintain strong client relationships from first meeting through project completion.
  • Identify and pursue new customer opportunities while continuing to serve existing clients with excellence.
  • Lead large-scale commercial construction projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
  • Oversee project planning, estimating, scheduling, and financial management.
  • Represent the company professionally with polished communication in client presentations, bid work, and government/municipal projects.
  • Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
  • Navigate and negotiate contracts, scopes, budgets, and change orders with confidence and integrity.
  • Apply data-driven insights and leverage construction technology to improve project delivery and reporting.
  • Provide accurate reporting and strategic input to senior leadership.


Qualifications

  • 10+ years of commercial construction experience, with a well-rounded background in estimating, project management, and client-facing work.
  • Minimum 3 years of direct project management experience.
  • Demonstrated success managing projects up to $25 million.
  • Strong financial acumen: cost estimating, budgeting, contract negotiation, and change order management.
  • Polished public speaking and presentation skills for bid work and municipal/government projects.
  • Comfortable using construction management software (e.g., Procore or similar).
  • Known for integrity, collaboration, quality, innovation, and community mindset.
  • Degree in Construction Management or related field preferred, but not required for candidates with equivalent experience.


What Success Looks Like

Within the first 12 months, the right person will:

  • Assimilate quickly into the team and culture.
  • Infuse new ideas, energy, and technology into projects and processes.
  • Take initiative and ownership, shaping the role rather than waiting for direction.
  • Be recognized as a trusted leader and mentor.
  • Demonstrate readiness to step into expanded leadership responsibilities, with future opportunities in senior management.


Why This Role

This is a rare opportunity to join a company that:

  • Has the capabilities to deliver complex, multi-million-dollar projects while staying nimble enough for you to make a visible impact.
  • Competes on integrity and quality, not just price, in a highly competitive market.
  • Offers a leadership path with the freedom to shape the role around your strengths.
  • Invests in professional growth, leadership development, and long-term career progression.
  • Provides competitive compensation, excellent benefits, and stability.

This is a unique moment to join a highly respected, quality-driven company with exceptional employee longevity. With an upcoming leadership transition in the next 1–2 years, the right person will have the rare opportunity to make this role their own, grow alongside a supportive team, and build a long-term career marked by both professional and personal development.

Meet Your Recruiter

Kinga Wilson
Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

After moving to the U.S. from England and beginning her career in the IT industry, Kinga saw a problem that needed to be fixed.

There was a disconnect between job seekers and employers, leading to a frustrating recruiting process and, worse, poor hires.

So in 1998, Kinga started her own search firm—Leaders IT Recruitment in Lincoln, Nebraska— to bridge the gap, and she hasn’t looked back since. The firm has grown organically through satisfied clients’ word-of-mouth referrals and blossomed into Insight Recruitment which, 20 years later, has worked with job candidates and businesses across the country by setting the bar for what a recruitment agency should be. 

“We get our clients’ attention by giving them the clarity they need to make better decisions for themselves,” Kinga says. “We’ve helped candidates secure truly life-changing jobs, and we’ve made a massive impact on companies needing the right mix of people to ensure their success continues.”

Kinga sees the right qualities in applicants and the bottom line for businesses. She makes sure her small-but-mighty team keeps its eye on one thing above all else: follow through.

“Our tools, strategies and focus have evolved like any growing business, but our core values have not,” Kinga says. “We focus on quality, high-touch service from the start, and our passion shows. I’ve been lucky enough to hire people who align with Insight’s philosophy on service.”

It’s that partnership attitude that differentiates Insight from the crowd.

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About Lincoln, NE

Discover your next career opportunity in the vibrant job market around Lincoln, Nebraska! This burgeoning Midwestern city offers a blend of urban amenities and natural beauty, making it an ideal place to grow both personally and professionally. From the iconic Sunken Gardens and the lively Pinnacle Bank Arena to the delectable local cuisine like Nebraska beef and Runza sandwiches, Lincoln has something for everyone. Explore the thriving arts scene at the Sheldon Museum of Art, catch a show at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, or cheer on the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. With an array of job listings in this charming city, take the first step towards a fulfilling career in Lincoln today!