Director of Commercial Construction

Nielson Construction is expanding its commercial construction division and we are looking for a leader to serve as the Director of Commercial Construction! The Director of Commercial Construction will lead the expansion and operational execution of our commercial construction division. This role is responsible for overseeing all commercial construction projects, managing partners and subcontractors, and establishing the operational structure necessary to scale the division responsibly.

This role offers the opportunity to shape the commercial division within an established organization. You will work closely with the CEO, step into a strong pipeline of projects, and have the ability to influence how projects are executed, how partners are managed, and how the division grows. For the right leader, this is a chance to take on meaningful responsibility by overseeing commercial construction today while helping define what it becomes tomorrow.

About Nielson Construction

For over 20 years, Nielson Construction has been a leader in the construction industry. Whether you're a new homeowner, a growing family, or a retiree looking for the perfect home, we'll help you find your happy place. Nielson Construction is located in Harrisburg, South Dakota.

Why Nielson Construction?

Competitive pay and structure that rewards excellent performance.

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurances are free for employee level coverage!

Paid Time Off, including Paid Weather Days and Paid Holidays

401(k) with a match of up to 5%

Free Long-Term Disability Insurance and $50,000 Life Insurance Policy

Employee Assistance Program

Job Responsibilities:

Commercial Construction Leadership

Lead all commercial construction project execution from pre-construction through closeout.

Establish clear expectations, scopes of work, and accountability standards for subcontractors.

Build and maintain strong relationships with contractors, suppliers, engineers, and owners.

Partner with estimating and preconstruction efforts to ensure project feasibility and cost alignment.

Operational Oversight

Drive scheduling discipline, milestone tracking, and proactive problem resolution across all projects.

Monitor financial performance.

Ensure compliance with safety standards, contractual requirements, and company policies.

Develop scalable processes, reporting structures, and KPIs for commercial construction operations.

Oversee workforce and partner planning to ensure proper resource allocation.

Division Development

Help establish operational standards, systems, and structure for the Commercial Construction division.

Identify staffing needs and assist in recruiting the right team members.

Support business development efforts through market presence and industry relationships.

Any other duties as assigned.

Skills: 

Strong experience in commercial construction environments.

Ability to hold external partners accountable to schedule, quality, and budget expectations.

Confident communicator and negotiator.

Comfortable building structure and processes within a growing division.

Qualifications: 

Bachelor's degree in construction management, architecture, business, a related field, or equivalent work experience.

Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in commercial construction that must include project oversight responsibility.

Proven experience managing multiple commercial projects concurrently.

Strong knowledge of construction contracts, scopes, estimating systems, scheduling systems, and project delivery methods.

Experience in building or expanding operations is preferred.

Valid Driver License is required.