Role search
Get an Interim Director of Construction (owner or developer side) who can own daily construction build cadence.
No postings. No stacks of resumes. No chasing. You choose from a short list of people who have done this before.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Interim Headhunters starts with the work behind this request: A Director of Construction serves as the primary liaison between your development interests and the general contractor on site. Unlike a VP who focuses on portfolio strategy and executive reporting, the Director manages the daily cadence of the build.
This is what we do all day: place interim executives, interim managers and contract professionals.
Need someone now? Call 305-306-4829.
- No upfront fee
- 2 to 3 vetted consultants per assignment
- Matched to your industry
- You choose
- Interim plus permanent search
- Interim Director of Construction (owner or developer side)
The judgment call
What this hire really comes down to
A Director of Construction serves as the primary liaison between your development interests and the general contractor on site. Unlike a VP who focuses on portfolio strategy and executive reporting, the Director manages the daily cadence of the build. This hire determines if the structural sequence remains intact and if the budget holds against unforeseen site conditions. They must possess the technical range to interpret architectural drawings while maintaining strict control over the field operations.
Success in this role hinges on the ability to enforce contract terms during active construction. You need a practitioner who identifies when a subcontractor shift indicates a deeper performance problem. This person identifies the difference between a minor permit delay and a systemic failure in the building envelope. They spend time walking the deck and inspecting systems installation rather than managing from a remote office, ensuring that quality standards meet the investment pro forma.
What we check
What we check before you see anyone
- We verify the candidate has led the preconstruction phase for assets identical to yours, including the specific structural systems required for your development. We analyze their experience with bid package scoping to confirm they hold the GC accountable for line-item accuracy. We check that they have managed contract negotiations that include liquidated damages and specific performance incentives for trade partners.
- We validate their history in resolving design conflicts that arise during the installation of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. We look for evidence that they have forced design teams to reconcile errors before these become expensive field change orders. We confirm they have successfully managed value engineering cycles that improved profitability without compromising the project exit strategy.
- We audit their performance in managing municipal requirements and code officials during the life of a project. We look for concrete examples where they handled local building department friction to keep a critical path on schedule. We confirm their ability to manage vendor compliance and insurance documentation to mitigate your firm's exposure to site-related liability.
- We assess their reporting history regarding project budget status and contingency drawdown. We ensure they have the authority to pause activities if site conditions violate the project safety plan. We distinguish between candidates who merely track data and those who use that data to drive corrective actions, verifying their decisions through past employer references.
Sourcing
Where we find them
Our search targets construction leads currently operating within private development firms or active investment groups. We locate experts who manage the execution side of high-rise residential, mixed-use or commercial office assets. These professionals often possess the specific operational mindset required for owner-side representation, as they understand the alignment between the physical build and the financial requirements of the development entity.
We also recruit from independent project management firms where individuals have built a reputation for fixing distressed vertical projects. These experts enjoy the structure of interim work because it allows them to apply their technical skills to new environments without the politics of a permanent corporate role. They understand that their value lies in the immediate identification of risks and the execution of mitigation plans.
Where searches go wrong
Mistakes we see
- Hiring a candidate whose background is exclusively in site safety or general field supervision without the requisite commercial and contract experience to manage a developer-side budget and owner interests.
- Selecting a candidate who acts as a passive observer instead of a director, failing to intervene when the general contractor deviates from the schedule or the approved design documents.
- Prioritizing a high-level executive title or long-term tenure in a single firm over the specific, recent experience of managing a vertical project of your specific scale and complexity.
The search
How the Interim Director of Construction (owner or developer side) search runs
- We start by mapping the specific vertical projects in your region to identify candidates who have successfully delivered assets of a similar height, density, and material composition. We filter these professionals based on their direct involvement in the preconstruction and procurement phase, ensuring they have personally managed the trade-off between project cost and architectural design requirements.
- We perform deep reference checks to understand how the candidate resolves conflicts with general contractors and design teams. We specifically ask how they managed a project when the schedule fell behind the critical path and how they communicated this risk to their equity partners. This provides evidence of their decision-making process under active site pressure.
- We manage the selection process by aligning the candidate’s technical experience with your immediate project goals. We ensure they have the capacity to step in during the specific phase your project currently faces, whether it is permitting, vertical construction, or the final punch-list and closeout, ensuring they provide immediate value upon joining.
Questions
How does an Interim Director of Construction differ from a VP?
The Director manages the day-to-day execution and physical build of the asset. The VP focuses on the portfolio-level strategy and executive-level capital reporting.
Is an upfront fee required to start the search?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire.
Can you verify site safety experience?
We verify that candidates have enforced safety protocols and building codes. We prioritize those with experience managing project-wide compliance.
What is the focus of these interim roles?
These roles focus on immediate project stabilization and objective reporting. They are used to fix scheduling gaps or manage specific development phases.
What replacement terms apply?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
How are recruiting fees agreed?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present. We scope the assignment before quoting; the fee page explains our model.
How soon can we see options?
Availability depends on the assignment and the people who fit it. We qualify interest and commitments rather than promising a shortlist date before the search is scoped.
What if the scope grows?
Discuss new responsibilities before adding them to the engagement. Agree the priorities and record any change to the brief and terms.
Can we extend an engagement?
Discuss what remains unfinished and whether the same responsibility is still needed. Extensions depend on the person's commitments and the agreed engagement terms.
Can the appointment become permanent?
A permanent move can be discussed if both sides want it. Review the future role and the applicable agreement instead of assuming that temporary coverage automatically converts.
How is a confidential search handled?
Tell us what can be disclosed and whom we must not contact. We agree those boundaries before approaching people; do not send sensitive records with an initial brief.
What are the replacement terms?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
What do you not do?
We do not sell job-board reposting as a search or bill hourly for recruiting work. We do not take a retainer unless expressly agreed, and an introduction does not authorize an engagement.
Tell us the seat
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire. Share the title, the situation and the timing. A person reads it.
Interim Director of Construction (owner or developer side) by industry and related roles
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The Six-Step Search
What do you get at each step of the search?
We agree what the person must own before contacting anyone. You see how the search is scoped and which backgrounds we pursue. We speak with candidates about the work before presenting them. The Six-Step Search gives you useful written notes and support through interviews, rather than a pile of applications.
- 01
Scope call
We talk through the seat, the business and what has to change.
You get: A one-page role brief you approve before we search.
- 02
Market map
We work out where people who have done this job actually sit.
You get: A short note on the pool and how we plan to reach it.
- 03
Direct outreach
We approach people who are not looking at job boards.
You get: Progress updates so you are never chasing us.
- 04
Screening
We interview every candidate on the work, not the resume.
You get: Written notes on fit, availability and terms for each person.
- 05
Shortlist and interviews
You meet a short list. We handle the scheduling.
You get: Several vetted options and a debrief after each interview.
- 06
Offer and start
You choose. We help settle terms and the start date.
You get: Confirmed terms, a start date and check-ins after day one.
Tell us who you need.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Send us the seat. We will take it from there.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.