Director Of Construction - DER

Build the future, spark innovation and align your career with purpose.

McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we're building a thriving planet.

Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We're making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability and equity crises through:

• renewables and energy services
• engineering and design
• construction and facility services

To get where we're going, we need big thinkers, problem solvers and collaborative mindsets. Does that sound like you?

The Opportunity with McKinstry

We are seeking a Director of Construction- DER to support our growing EcoDistrict Services- DER National team in Phoenix, AZ. This position is responsible for leading the Western US construction execution for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) projects, ensuring best-in-class safety, quality, financial, schedule, and client satisfaction outcomes across a diverse portfolio of renewable and resilient energy infrastructure projects. Additional responsibilities may include:

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for construction execution across DER technologies, including solar PV, BESS, EV infrastructure, microgrids, and fuel cells.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contract requirements, technical standards, and client expectations.
• Establish and enforce consistent construction management standards, processes, and KPIs across the DER portfolio.
• Lead construction execution for EPC, Design-Build, and fixed-price projects, including self-perform and subcontracted scopes.
• Oversee construction planning, mobilization, execution, commissioning, and turnover activities across multiple regions.
• Ensure effective integration between engineering, procurement, and construction functions to support predictable project delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement in construction productivity, cost control, schedule performance, and risk management.
• Serve as a visible safety leader and champion a zero-incident culture across all DER construction activities.
• Partner with McKinstry Safety and Quality teams to ensure compliance with all OSHA, site-specific, and client safety requirements.
• Ensure quality management plans are implemented and adhered to across all projects.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for safety incidents, quality issues, and near misses.
• Ensure commissioning, testing, and turnover processes meet contractual, regulatory, and client standards.
• Maintain project portfolio financial accountability for construction execution performance, including cost forecasting, margin protection, and change management.
• Review and approve construction budgets, schedules, and staffing plans.
• Monitor project financial health, cash flow, and earned value metrics across the portfolio.
• Ensure disciplined change order management and claims mitigation.
• Support accurate forecasting and reporting to executive leadership.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and lead Construction Managers, Project Managers, Superintendents, and field leadership.
• Build scalable construction teams capable of delivering complex, multi-site and utility-scale DER projects nationally.
• Set clear performance expectations and hold teams accountable to McKinstry values and operational standards.
• Foster collaboration across construction, engineering, development, and supply chain teams.
• Support workforce planning aligned with projected growth in DER markets.
• Serve as an executive point of contact for key IPP, C&I, and utility clients during construction execution.
• Build and maintain trusted client relationships through proactive communication and issue resolution.
• Ensure client satisfaction through consistent delivery of contractual, technical, and commercial commitments.
• Participate in project kickoffs, executive progress reviews, and closeout meetings as required.
• Partner with Development, Sales, and Estimating teams during pursuit, preconstruction, and contract negotiations.
• Provide constructability input, execution strategy, staffing plans, and risk assessments during bid and proposal phases.
• Participate in bid reviews, risk workshops, and contract reviews to ensure executable project scopes.
• Support growth of McKinstry's national DER EPC platform through disciplined execution and repeat client success.

What You Need to Succeed at McKinstry

• Demonstrated proficiency in leading national construction operations for renewable energy or infrastructure EPC projects.
• 12+ years of progressive construction leadership experience, with at least 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven experience delivering solar, BESS, EV infrastructure, microgrids, or fuel cell projects at scale.
• Strong background working with Independent Power Producers, C&I clients, and utility customers.
• Deep understanding of EPC contracting, risk management, subcontracting, and self-perform construction.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing large project portfolios and construction financials.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field required; equivalent experience considered.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to travel nationally as required.

PeopleFirst Benefits

When it comes to the basics, we have you covered:

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match and profit-sharing plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

People come first at McKinstry, and we go beyond the basic benefits with:

• Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave
• Transgender inclusive benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Pet insurance
• "Building Good" paid community service time
• Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University
• McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers

See benefit plan documents for complete details.

If you're driven by our vision to build a thriving planet together, McKinstry is the place to build your career.

The pay range for this position is $165,800 - $252,100 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Base pay information is based on market location. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.

The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

McKinstry is a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.

Applicants for this role will only be considered if they possess current US Work Authorization, and do not require employer-sponsored VISA support to begin or remain in this role.

#LI-NM1