Ready to lead bold, transformative projects at one of Oklahoma’s top attractions? The OKC Zoo is looking for a Director of Capital Projects to manage major construction and renovation efforts across the Zoo. You'll oversee timelines, contracts, safety, and serve as the Zoo’s key liaison with architects, contractors, and engineers.
Employment Status:
- Full-Time
FLSA Status:
- Exempt
- Annual Pay Rate: $93,311.00 - $116,639.00
Experience Required:
- Experience equivalent to five (5) years facilities and construction project management focused on capital improvement projects, with three (3) years in a role involving collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
Minimum Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- Relevant experience in excess of minimum requirement can substitute for education.
- Licensed as an architect is a plus, but not required.
Department:
- Facilities.
Direct Supervisor:
- Chief Operating Officer
Primary Work Location:
- Zoo Setting both indoors and outdoors.
Certification:
- Valid Oklahoma driver’s license and pass a driver’s history check.
Other:
- This position is safety sensitive.
- It is subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks and drug testing.
- Priority consideration will be given to applications received by June 30, 2025.
Job Summary:
- The Director of Capital Projects position will be responsible for representing the zoo with all clients, architects, consultants, contractors, regulatory personnel, and engineers on projects related to construction and/or renovation of properties owned or operated by the Oklahoma City Zoological Trust.
- Further, the position will perform as the internal project manager for all capital improvement projects (CIPs).
- This includes management of all aspects of project construction including contractor procurement, contract negotiations, project timeliness, construction management and observation, payment, safety and project closeout.
Essential Job Functions
- An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:
- Meet with all Zoo department leadership to evaluate, prioritize and generate cost-effective and appropriate annual capital projects (CIPs);
- Manage all CIP projects including developing scopes, project timelines, budgets, bidding and overseeing daily progress;
- Negotiate contracts with suppliers/subcontractors and manage change orders, including review, resolution of discrepancies, and approval of all invoicing.
- Host regular project update meetings with all internal stakeholders.
- Evaluate construction methods, determine cost effectiveness of plans, and provide value engineering;
- Schedule and coordinate maintenance and capital improvement projects to minimize disruption to guests and Zoo operations;
- In collaboration with Director of Facilities, evaluate and coordinate long-term goals and objectives related to the maintenance, repair, and/or construction of buildings and related facilities at the Zoo;
- Oversee daily progress of projects;
- Monitor third-party contractors to ensure progress, job quality, and compliance with contractual requirements, quality of work, Zoo safety protocols, and City and State codes;
- Maintain contractor safety logs and required documentation.
- Prepare and maintain records and reports for construction and capital project requests, project progress, and assigned inventory, to include necessary permits, licenses, and certificates related to CIPs;
- Assist the Zoo’s Owner’s Representative and City’s Project Manager with coordination of major capital projects;
- Manage all staffing concerns for your assigned work group.
- This to include managing the selection process, scheduling, timekeeping, and performance management processes.
- Authorize emergency maintenance and repair projects.
- Host monthly safety protocol meetings with all outside contractors and their employees/sub-contractors in coordination with the Zoo’s Director of Risk Management;
- Ensures timely oversight and appropriate updates to FMX work management system
- Builds and maintains strong relationships with staff, vendors, and clients within the organization and promote team building and interdepartmental cooperation;
- Regularly report on status of projects via written reports/correspondence and ensure that meeting minutes with contractors and architects are kept in an organized searchable manner;
- Manage activities of contractors and subcontractors during warranty period of project operation;
- Develop and monitor punch list process on all capital and major projects;
- Assist with coordinating third party work on special events which require installation, utility tie ins, and facility construction.
Non-Essential Job Functions
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Salary
- $93,311.00 - $116,639.00 / Annual Salary
