Project Director – Capital Programs & Built‑Environment Projects

CBRE • Full-time • Washington, United States, US • 2w ago

Washington, D.C. - District of Columbia - United States of America

Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) Local delivers a hard services–led, customized facility management platform. We self-perform hard services and partner with top-tier providers for soft services, enabling us to create tailored facility and project management solutions for our clients. Our model emphasizes downstream accountability, empowering our teams to deliver agile, efficient, and high quality service.

Beyond core facility and project management, our platform also connects clients to CBRE’s Best in Class services, including ESG, Security Consulting, Workplace Strategy, and Workplace Experience.

About The Role

The Head of Projects is a senior leader responsible for managing a team that delivers advanced project management services aligned with CBRE’s strategic objectives. This role sits within the Project Management function, overseeing projects from initiation through completion.

You will lead project delivery, ensuring projects are executed safely, on schedule, and within financial targets under a principal delivery model. A key responsibility is developing and maintaining a strong sales pipeline to drive BU revenue growth. Building and sustaining strong relationships with clients and supply partners is critical to success.

The Head of Projects also ensures all projects meet commercial, contractual, regulatory, QHSE, and technical standards.

What You’ll Do

Ensure safe project delivery by effectively managing risk and competency within a principal delivery model.
Recruit, develop, and retain top talent to support current and future business needs.
Provide leadership in identifying, defining, and winning project opportunities.
Deliver on contractual commitments for secured projects.
Oversee project delivery across all maintenance contracts.
Ensure projects meet local playbook requirements, are completed on time and within budget, and satisfy all stakeholders.
Identify, mitigate, and manage project risks—technical, statutory, health and safety, commercial, and others.
Improve profitability through cost management and effective subcontractor procurement.
Build and manage a robust project pipeline to support long-term growth.
Collaborate with internal partners to identify new project opportunities.
Lead the development and management of bids, tenders, and proposals.
Drive revenue by building strong, effective relationships with customers and site teams.
Pursue project opportunities through innovation and emerging technologies.
Lead the project sales process, including solution development, presentations, and client consultations.
Win new projects through strong relationship management.
Provide effective communication and leadership across business meetings, reports, forums, and other channels.
Uphold and promote CBRE’s core values.
Contribute to BU strategy development.
Implement new processes and business governance across the projects function.
Manage the BU’s project forecast.
Lead people management activities, including performance management in alignment with CBRE policies.
Negotiate upstream and downstream contractual terms and disputes.
Chair monthly and ad hoc project review meetings, covering safety, regulatory compliance, and financial performance.
Support onboarding of new project team members.
Report directly to the Business Unit Leader/Director and indirectly to the Divisional Project Director.

What You’ll Need

Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree preferred, with 5–8 years of relevant experience. Equivalent education/experience combinations will be considered.
Professional designations such as LEED AP, PMP, or CCM preferred.
Technical qualifications in Construction, Mechanical, Electrical, or similar fields (desirable).
Degree in Project/Construction Management, Engineering, or Architecture (desirable).
Proven track record delivering high-quality, safe projects in M&E, FM, construction, or critical environments.
Experience developing new project opportunities and managing a P&L.
Evidence of successful team management.
Experience creating, presenting, and managing bids, tenders, and proposals.

Aptitudes

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Excellent written and verbal literacy and numeracy.
Ability to influence, build relationships, and inspire confidence.
Comfortable challenging the status quo.
Highly motivated, self-aware, organized, and analytical.
Effective at prioritizing in high-pressure, business-critical environments.
Innovative, creative, and strategic thinker.

Character

Motivational and influential leader.
Strong customer service mindset.
High integrity and professionalism.
Politically astute and effective across business functions.
High energy, initiative, confidence, and stability.

Other Requirements

Flexibility to work outside typical business hours to meet deadlines.
Occasional travel for meetings, site visits, conferences, or events.
Reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.

Why CBRE

When you join CBRE, you become part of the global leader in commercial real estate services and investment that helps businesses and people thrive. We are dynamic problem solvers and forward-thinking professionals who create significant impact. Our collaborative culture is built on our shared values — respect, integrity, service and excellence — and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets of our people. At CBRE, you have the opportunity to chart your own course and realize your potential. We welcome all applicants.

Applicant AI Use Disclosure

We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.

Pay Disclaimer: CBRE carefully considers multiple factors to determine compensation, including a candidate’s education, training, and experience. The minimum salary for this position is $150,000 annually, and the maximum salary for this position is $180,000 annually. The compensation that is offered to a successful candidate will depend on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience. This role will provide the following benefits: 401(K), Dental insurance, Health insurance, Life insurance, and Vision insurance.

Equal Employment Opportunity: CBRE has a long-standing commitment to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, veteran status, political belief, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Candidate Accommodations: CBRE values the differences of all current and prospective employees and recognizes how every employee contributes to our company’s success. CBRE provides reasonable accommodations in job application procedures for individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request via email at recruitingaccommodations@cbre.com or via telephone at +1 866 225 3099 (U.S.) and +1 866 388 4346 (Canada).

CBRE GWS

CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) works with clients to make real estate a meaningful contributor to organizational productivity and performance. Our account management model is at the heart of our client-centric approach to delivering integrated real estate solutions. Each client is entrusted with a dedicated leader and is supported by regional and global resources, leveraging the industry's most robust platform. CBRE GWS delivers consistent, measurably superior outcomes for our clients at every stage of the lifecycle, and across industries and geographies.

Find out more

Service line: GWS Segment