Director, Capital Projects Vertical

Salary: $185,000.00 - $199,000.00 Annually
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 17131
Department: Engineering Department
Opening Date: 10/28/2026
Closing Date: 11/9/2026 11:59 PM Central

Position Description
Position Overview:

The Director, Capital Projects is responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing the delivery of vertical capital construction projects within the Office of the County Engineer (OCE). This position provides leadership and technical oversight for the Capital Projects Vertical group. The Director manages the entire project lifecycle, including project planning, design development, permitting, procurement, contract negotiation and administration, construction management, inspection, project controls, closeout, and warranty administration. Projects may include administrative buildings, public facilities, and other vertical construction initiatives supporting County operations. The position works closely with internal County departments, consultants, contractors, and external agencies to ensure projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with County standards, applicable building codes, and regulatory requirements.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide executive leadership for OCE's vertical capital projects portfolio, overseeing multiple concurrent projects across all phases of design and construction.
• Establish division-wide project delivery standards, performance expectations, and priorities in alignment with County policies and OCE objectives.
• Exercise authority over the full lifecycle of vertical capital project delivery, including planning, design, permitting, procurement, construction, inspection, closeout, and warranty phases.
• Oversee and ensure compliance with building design and construction activities with applicable building codes, life-safety requirements, accessibility standards, and County design criteria.
• Prepare, review, and support Commissioners Court agenda items, including professional services contracts, construction contracts, amendments, additional fees, change orders/field alterations, and funding requests.
• Provide strategic oversight and executive-level guidance to project managers and team leads on negotiations, scope development, risk management, and contractor performance.
• Establish and oversee quality assurance and quality control standards to ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality of project deliverables.
• Serve as a senior point of coordination and escalation for internal County departments, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Direct, mentor, and hold accountable team leads, project managers, and technical staff for performance, professional development, and project outcomes.
• Determine staffing strategies and allocate resources across projects to support workload balance, efficiency, and timely delivery.
• Oversee project performance through management systems and review reporting on schedule, budget, risks, and delivery metrics for leadership.
• Provide leadership support during emergency response, recovery efforts, or high-priority County initiatives as required.
• Respond decisively to changing priorities and critical issues to ensure continuity of operations and project delivery.

Requirements
Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a closely related field.
• Registered Professional Engineer in Texas or Registered Professional Engineer in any other state, but be able to achieve TEXAS P.E. within six months of employment

OR

Possession of, or ability to obtain within six months registration as a Registered Architect in the State of Texas

Experience:

• Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in vertical capital project delivery, building design, construction management, or program management.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex building projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working with consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders in a public-sector or institutional environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Strong knowledge of vertical construction practices, building systems, and construction sequencing.
• Working knowledge of building codes, permitting processes, life-safety requirements, and accessibility standards.
• Ability to manage scope, schedule, and budget across multiple capital building projects.
• Proficiency with project management and project controls software.
• Ability to read, interpret, and review construction documents and technical reports.
• Strong leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders in a complex organizational environment.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Preferences:
Education:

• Master's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field.

Experience:

• Experience overseeing vertical capital projects for governmental or large institutional clients.

Certifications
PMP Certification
General Information
General Information:

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.

Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.
Salary: Salary Range: $185,000 - $199,000 annually
Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Occasional driving of a vehicle with automatic and four-wheel drive controls.
• Frequent standing and walking; prolonged sitting for extended periods of time.
• Frequent stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying items up to 10 pounds with occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.
• Extensive use of a video display terminal (computer monitor).
• Occasional sorting, filing, shelving, and handling documents, books, files, materials, and equipment.
• Frequent standing and walking on rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces and ground during field visits.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time:

• Approximately 90% of duties will be performed indoors in a typical office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, air conditions, and noise levels.
• Approximately 10% of duties will be performed outdoors, where there will be exposure to heat, cold, moisture, air pollution, wind, and dust.
• Must be willing to work in various weather and working conditions when visiting a field location.

FEATURED BENEFITS:

Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Wellness.

Professional development opportunities.

Flexible spending accounts.

457 deferred compensation plans.

Retirement pension (TCDRS).

Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).

Disability and life insurance.

Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Engineering
• Architechure
• Construction Management
• Other related field

03

Are you a Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in the State of Texas?For verification purposes, certification details MUST be provided in the Certificates and Licenses section of your application.

• Yes, I am licensed in the State of Texas
• No, I am licensed in another state
• No, I am not a licensed PE

04

Are you currently licensed to practice as a Registered Architect in the State of Texas?

• Yes, I am currently licensed to practice as a Registered Architect in the State of Texas.
• No, I am not currently licensed, but I am willing to obtain the license within six months of employment

05

How many years of progressively responsible experience do you have in vertical capital project delivery, building design, construction management, or program management.

• less than 5 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 6 - 7 years
• 7 - 8 years
• 8 - 9 years
• 9 - 10 years
• 10 or 10+ years

06

Please describe your demonstrated experience managing complex building or vertical construction projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams. Provide a specific example, including the project scope, your role and responsibilities, key challenges, and the outcome.
07

Please describe your experience working with consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders in a public-sector or institutional environment. Provide a specific example demonstrating your role, coordination responsibilities, challenges encountered, and the outcome.
08

This position requires possession of a valid Texas-issued driver's license upon hire.If hired, will you be able to meet this requirement?If currently licensed, please be sure to include all related details in the Certificates and Licenses section of your application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question