Clayco
Full‑service design‑build real estate, architecture, engineering and construction firm delivering integrated turnkey projects.
Lead design-build projects as single point of contact, overseeing budgets, schedules, and teams.
1 days ago
$165,000 - $190,000
Expert & Leadership (13+ years)
Full Time
Chicago, IL
Office Full-Time
Company Size
3,800 Employees
Service Specialisms
Design‑Build
Architecture
Engineering
Construction
Project Management
Development
Planning
Interior Design
Sector Specialisms
Food and Beverage
Consumer Products
Manufacturing
Life-Science Products
Industrial
Role
Description
design schedule
budget forecast
project execution
client relations
staff mentoring
design-build
As a Project Director, you will provide leadership on projects as the "single point of contact" for the owner, design department, and the project staff. Ensure quality and timely execution of design-build projects from design to completion and deliver the best solutions on projects valued anywhere from a $60 million to over $250 million. At Clayco, The Project Director will work with marketing, pre-construction services, business unit leaders, and mentoring Project Managers and Engineers and have overall responsibility for these projects.
- Team with Architects, Engineers, and Planners to create and manage a design schedule.
- Establish project forecasts and budgets.
- Mentor and develop project management staff.
- Build client and subcontractor relationships.
- Accept full responsibility for project execution.
Requirements
bachelor's
project management
15+ years
construction knowledge
travel
safety
- Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related.
- Previous experience leading a successful project management team.
- 15+ years of experience managing construction projects ($100+ million) ideally design-build.
- Ability to walk a job site, climb ladders, and scale multi-floor scaffolding.
- Our clients and projects are nationwide – Travel will be required.
- This position is classified as a safety-sensitive role in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Candidates selected for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background check, which includes mandatory drug testing.
- Demonstrated knowledge of construction principles, practices, and technology.
- Ability to lift objects of at least 50 lbs.
Benefits
- Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
- The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $165,000 - $190,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).
- Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!
- 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
Training + Development
Information not given or found
Interview process
Information not given or found
Visa Sponsorship
Information not given or found
Security clearance
- comprehensive background check including mandatory drug testing.
Company
Overview
$7.6B Revenue
Revenue Achievement
Generated over $7.6 billion in revenue in 2024 with extensive project work across multiple sectors.
394M sq ft
Built Space
Over 394 million square feet of built and renovated space across numerous projects.
- Founded in 1984 by Bob Clark in St. Louis, the company grew rapidly with integrated design‑build services.
- Moved headquarters to Chicago in 2013, expanding reach across North America.
- Launched Clayco Compute in 2025, focusing on mission‑critical data center construction with 57 active projects.
- Specializes in Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Residential & Hospitality, Life Sciences, Data Center and Manufacturing sectors.
- Typical projects include large‑scale data centers, life sciences facilities, manufacturing plants and hospitality developments.
- Known for pioneering fast‑track, tech‑enabled design‑build methods—using BIM, drones and modular solutions.
- Integrated subsidiaries cover architecture (Lamar Johnson Collaborative), concrete (Concrete Strategies), and façade systems (Ventana).
- Handles end‑to‑end delivery—from site acquisition and financing through design, engineering and self‑performed construction.
- Stands out for fully integrated project delivery, overlapping design and build phases to boost efficiency and innovation.
Culture + Values
- Treat others as they would want to be treated.
- Employ the best and brightest in the industry and embrace their passion, creativity, and ideas, while providing them with the latest technology.
- Forge real partnerships with suppliers and subcontractors through better project management and fair bidding practices.
- Adhere to a zero-tolerance hard-hat policy and implement industry-leading safety practices.
- Think of the communities where projects are built as their own, focusing on enhancing them through sustainability practices and programs that give back.
- Create and innovate by balancing art and science holistically and intelligently.
- Tear down obstacles, outdated methods, and outdated thinking, replacing them with new ideas and transformational solutions.
- See work through the eyes of the people who will use it every day.
- Build powerful structures with impacts that reach far beyond the walls.
Environment + Sustainability
42%
Scope 1 & 2 Reduction Target
Targeting a 42% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 compared to the 2021 baseline.
51.6%
Scope 3 Per SF Reduction
Aiming to reduce Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and sold products by 51.6% per square foot by 2030.
95+
LEED-Certified Projects
Over 95 projects have been certified under the LEED program, showcasing commitment to sustainable design and construction.
4.85M tCO₂e
2023 Scope 3 Emissions
Reported Scope 3 emissions in 2023 amount to 4,852,977 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent.
- Pledged to SBTi Net‑Zero Standard, targeting net‑zero GHG emissions.
- 2023 reported emissions: Scope 1 14,487 tCO₂e; Scope 2 3,691 tCO₂e.
- VP of Sustainability hired to oversee holistic emissions reduction strategy and sustainable training.
- Pillars: energy & carbon, water & ecology, circular economy, wellbeing, innovation; 2023 progress on Scope 1 & 2 reduction and Scope 3 target‑setting.
Inclusion & Diversity
Over 360 Subcontractors
Diverse subcontractor network
Clayco maintains a network of over 360 prequalified minority- and women-owned (MBE/WBE) and other diverse subcontractors in 2023, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusive business practices.
275 Women Employees
Women's professional development
Clayco supports approximately 275 women employees through programs like ClaycoNOW, which focuses on networking, career development, and leadership empowerment.
20% DBE Goal Exceeded
Diverse business participation
Clayco achieved a 20% DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) goal on projects like Penn State East Halls Phase 2C, surpassing the required 15% target.
9% Construction Workforce
Women in construction
Reflecting broader industry trends, women make up just 9% of the U.S. construction workforce, but Clayco is committed to fostering equal opportunity through its inclusive culture.
- A program breaking barriers of race, income, and gender for employees, MBE/WBE partners, and communities.
- Active participation in workforce development through partnerships with organizations like CCDI, NSBE, NOMA, and the NAACP, along with internal initiatives like PIVOT and Clayco Connects.