What Does a Construction Vice President Do?
A construction vice president serves as a strategic leader responsible for overseeing all operational aspects of a construction organization. They set business goals, manage performance across projects, and ensure alignment between company strategy and field execution. This role plays a vital part in driving profitability, improving efficiency, and maintaining strong client and vendor relationships.
Construction VPs lead department heads, project managers, estimators, and field supervisors to deliver high-quality construction work on time and within budget. They also play a central role in risk management, contract negotiations, hiring decisions, and long-term business planning. Whether leading a commercial contractor or an infrastructure firm, the VP bridges executive strategy and on-the-ground execution.
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Construction VP Core Responsibilities
- Define and implement strategic goals across construction operations
- Lead project planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and performance oversight
- Oversee profit and loss (P&L) management across divisions or project portfolios
- Establish operational standards and ensure regulatory compliance
- Manage and mentor senior leaders and cross-functional teams
- Evaluate contracts, subcontractor agreements, and vendor partnerships
- Analyze project risks and propose mitigation strategies
- Build and maintain relationships with clients, partners, and key stakeholders
- Drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, and delivery standards
- Represent the construction division in executive meetings and board-level decisions
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Strong command of construction management principles and project lifecycle
- Expertise in financial oversight, including budgeting, forecasting, and P&L
- Deep understanding of construction law, contracts, and regulatory standards
- Proficiency with project management platforms and ERP systems (e.g., Procore, Viewpoint, Oracle)
- Risk management and performance benchmarking across teams
Soft skills
- High-level strategic thinking and business acumen
- Executive-level leadership and team development
- Clear communication and presentation skills
- Negotiation and conflict resolution at a senior level
- Adaptability to shifting priorities and market dynamics
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, business administration, or related field
- MBA or executive education in leadership, strategy, or construction management preferred
Certifications
- OSHA 30-Hour Certification
- PMP or Certified Construction Manager (CCM) preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive construction leadership experience, including executive-level roles
- Proven track record of delivering profitable projects at scale
- Experience leading multi-location or national operations
- Familiarity with LEED practices or sustainability initiatives
- Prior involvement in mergers, acquisitions, or market expansion strategies
National Average Salary
Construction VP salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Construction Vice President is:
$179,650
Sample Job Description Templates for Construction VPs
Vice President of Commercial Construction
Position Overview
The vice president of commercial construction leads the planning and execution of commercial building projects across various sectors. This executive role oversees budgeting, compliance, subcontractor relationships, and operational performance across all commercial builds.
Responsibilities
- Direct commercial construction operations from preconstruction to project closeout
- Oversee budgets, timelines, and staffing across multiple job sites
- Manage relationships with developers, architects, and general contractors
- Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and legal requirements
- Lead strategic planning and reporting for commercial project delivery
- Monitor P&L for the commercial division and adjust resource allocations
- Standardize construction processes and workflows for efficiency
- Mentor construction managers and project executives
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep knowledge of commercial construction methods, codes, and permitting
- P&L management and forecasting experience
- Proficiency in construction software (Procore, Viewpoint, MS Project)
- Strong vendor management and contract negotiation
Soft skills
- Executive-level leadership and influence
- Business-driven decision making
- Communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Conflict resolution and risk management
Education
- Bachelor’s in construction management, engineering, or related field
- MBA or executive leadership training preferred
Certifications
- OSHA 30-Hour Certification
- PMP or CCM preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of commercial construction leadership
- Experience with office, retail, or mixed-use developments
- Track record of delivering multimillion-dollar projects on time and under budget
Vice President of Residential Construction
Position Overview
The vice president of residential construction is responsible for overseeing all aspects of homebuilding operations. This includes managing subdivision projects, custom builds, and high-volume production housing while maintaining quality, speed, and profitability.
Responsibilities
- Lead planning, staffing, and delivery of residential construction projects
- Establish production targets and construction schedules
- Oversee builder performance, subcontractor relationships, and warranty programs
- Maintain construction standards across multiple subdivisions or developments
- Align division operations with customer satisfaction and profitability goals
- Approve budgets, change orders, and cost controls
- Implement safety and regulatory compliance programs
- Partner with land development, purchasing, and sales leadership
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of residential codes, zoning, and construction best practices
- Experience with homebuilding scheduling and permitting
- Familiarity with ERP systems and builder management tools
- Budget creation and cost control
Soft skills
- Organizational leadership and field team development
- Collaborative problem solving
- Clear communication with internal and external teams
- Focus on client satisfaction
Education
- Bachelor’s in construction management or related field
- Equivalent experience considered in high-volume residential markets
Certifications
- OSHA 30-Hour Certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years in homebuilding management or production housing
- Experience managing regional or multi-state operations
- Familiarity with energy-efficient or green residential standards
Vice President of Infrastructure & Heavy Civil
Position Overview
The vice president of infrastructure and heavy civil construction leads large-scale public and private infrastructure projects. This includes overseeing roadwork, bridges, utilities, and transportation-related builds from bid through completion.
Responsibilities
- Oversee infrastructure projects including highways, water systems, and mass transit
- Manage proposal development, estimating, and government bidding
- Lead project delivery teams and ensure compliance with DOT, OSHA, and EPA standards
- Guide contract negotiations and subcontractor oversight
- Monitor capital improvement plans and risk management frameworks
- Liaise with government officials and regulatory agencies
- Lead workforce development and union/non-union labor strategies
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong understanding of civil engineering principles and public procurement
- Proficiency with cost control, scheduling, and permitting for infrastructure projects
- Experience with public-sector compliance and inspections
- Familiarity with environmental and traffic safety standards
Soft skills
- Strong stakeholder communication, including public entities
- Strategic planning and budget forecasting
- Political awareness and public representation
- Leadership across cross-functional, field-based teams
Education
- Bachelor’s in civil engineering, construction management, or similar
- PE license or advanced degree preferred
Certifications
- OSHA 30-Hour Certification
- CCM or PMP preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years leading public works or infrastructure programs
- Success managing federally funded or DOT-led construction
Vice President of Preconstruction
Position Overview
The vice president of preconstruction is responsible for all front-end planning activities leading up to construction. This includes overseeing cost estimating, project scheduling, bid strategy, and constructability reviews.
Responsibilities
- Lead estimating, value engineering, and preconstruction planning across all projects
- Oversee proposal responses, bid packages, and presentations to clients
- Coordinate early-stage collaboration between design, engineering, and operations teams
- Set pricing strategies and win themes for competitive bids
- Manage design-build workflows and constructability assessments
- Evaluate subcontractor pricing and scopes
- Forecast preconstruction pipeline and resource needs
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced estimating and quantity takeoff knowledge
- Understanding of various delivery methods (e.g., GMP, design-build)
- Familiarity with cost databases and bid platforms
- Contract analysis and early-stage risk identification
Soft skills
- Strategic mindset with sales and client focus
- Cross-departmental coordination
- Analytical thinking and pricing creativity
- Strong proposal writing and presentation
Education
- Bachelor’s in construction, engineering, architecture, or related
- Extensive experience can substitute formal education
Certifications
- LEED AP or DBIA certification recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years in estimating, design-build, or preconstruction management
- Track record of successful project wins in competitive markets
Vice President of Field Operations
Position Overview
The vice president of field operations oversees all on-site construction activity and execution. They are responsible for staffing, productivity, safety, and quality control across multiple job sites or regions.
Responsibilities
- Manage field teams, including superintendents and site managers
- Oversee daily construction activities and ensure project timelines are met
- Drive field execution standards and process improvements
- Monitor safety compliance and conduct jobsite audits
- Lead workforce planning and labor deployment strategies
- Resolve field-based issues quickly to avoid project delays
- Work closely with project managers and preconstruction teams
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep understanding of construction methods, sequencing, and logistics
- Familiarity with field reporting tools (Procore, BIM 360, Raken)
- Knowledge of OSHA and safety protocol enforcement
- Scheduling and resource allocation skills
Soft skills
- Field leadership and problem-solving
- Communication with trades, suppliers, and clients
- Situational awareness and decision-making under pressure
- Strong organizational follow-through
Education
- Bachelor’s degree preferred; field experience may substitute
- Technical certifications in construction safety and site management
Certifications
- OSHA 30-Hour Certification
- First Aid/CPR Certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years managing field operations or jobsite execution
- Experience overseeing regional or national jobsite teams
- Strong safety performance metrics