Project and Construction Director

Waterway has an immediate opportunity for a Project and Construction Director. This role will be critical to Waterway achieving its’ goal for excellence in facility improvement and new construction. The Project and Construction Director will drive the growth and development of Waterway’s network of locations with responsibility for both new site construction and management of ongoing capital projects and management. Partnering closely with company strategic leadership this role will oversee both new store build and ongoing store upgrade project management, stakeholder communication, vendor selection and relationships, as well as project cost evaluation and multi-year forward planning.

The Project and Construction Director is responsible for managing the execution of construction and capital improvement projects across Waterway.  Projects include new builds, remodels, upgrades and smaller facilities and maintenance projects.  The CPD will collaborate with Waterway Senior Management to define projects, create budgets, and coordinate schedules…while actively communicating and engaging all constituents. The position blends hands-on field supervision with cross Waterway network coordination.  Managing large projects more directly while coordinating smaller initiatives through local leadership and facilities teams. 

The ideal candidate is an experienced, detail-oriented project manager who brings strong construction expertise, cost control, and proactive communication to every stage of the project.  We are not content to find someone only with construction know-how and organizational skills, rather an individual who can employ those tactics to support and strengthen Waterway’s culture and values. This position will focus on 3 primary objectives:

1. PLAN - Working with senior leadership to identify construction and project needs, and work with team to develop the design.
2. COMMUNICATE - Facilitating and communicating project plans, budgets, and schedules.
3. EXECUTE - Working with Waterway leadership as well as in-house specialists and maintenance staff, as well as outside contractors, designers, and contractors to execute the projects as per plan.

This full-time position will be based in-office at our Chesterfield, MO Corporate office (727 Goddard Ave. Chesterfield, MO 63005) and report to the Vice President, Site Development & General Counsel and partner closely with the CEO, CFO and COO, facilitating quick decision making on project approvals, financials, zoning and permitting. Travel to work sites required as needed, estimated at approx. 20%, more extensive during project build.

Compensation, Benefits, and Perks:

• Competitive compensation of $100,000 - $120,000 plus 10-15% annual bonus, depending on experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package. Top tier medical plan, dental, vision, long term disability and life insurance.
• Generous paid time off allowance – up to 18 days earned in the first year plus paid holidays. Paid childbearing/paternity leave.
• Long-term investment bonus - rewards you for investing in your financial future. 
• Phone stipend and mileage reimbursement available.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Waterway Membership - Free car washes and gasoline discounts!

About Waterway

Waterway® Carwash has been combining the Best People with the Best Technology to deliver the Best Car Wash Experience in the industry for over 50 years. Our attention to detail means our customers can be assured that their car receives the best care. We do not settle for anything less and neither do they. Waterway’s Clean Car Club is recognized as one of the original unlimited wash member programs in the industry. More than 1,400 team members operate 30 (and growing) Waterway locations across five major metropolitan markets, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Waterway locations offer a mix of exterior express and full-service car wash services, as well as gasoline and retail convenience stores. Learn more about Waterway at www.waterway.com

Core responsibilities are, but not limited to, the following:

• Planning – Regular review of Company and Market needs for both major capital improvements and smaller projects. Work with both Corporate and operations senior leadership to create strategies and plans to keep Waterway sites up to date and first rate. Planning includes site layout, cross location consistency, and best practice planning. Work with VP of Facilities to make short-term and multi-year plans for such improvements. Create timelines and budgets.
• Create buy in and consensus by regular and ongoing communication, review, and approval of plans with both corporate and operations senior leadership. Create readily available evergreen schedules, and work with the accounting team to create and maintain budgets.  No surprises!
• Work closely with Waterway resources as well as outside vendors (architects, engineers, designers, contractors) to ensure that the project are completed in a timely, budget-conscience manner. Limit location downtime and react quickly and nimbly to construction surprises. 
• Safety – oversee the onsite safety program and ensures that all established safety protocols and procedures are followed.

Key Deliverables

• Project Ownership & Execution - Lead assigned construction and CAPEX projects from scope confirmation through closeout — independently or in coordination with regional and facilities teams. Actively supervise large or complex projects on-site, monitoring construction progress, safety, quality, and contractor performance. Manage general contractors, subcontractors, and vendors, ensuring alignment with approved scope, schedule, and quality standards. Conduct regular site visits and project meetings to identify issues early and keep work on track. Coordinate permitting, scheduling, and communication with Operations to minimize downtime and disruption.
• CAPEX Pipeline & Tracking - Maintain a master list of active and planned CAPEX projects by store, providing visibility to schedule, cost, and progress. Align project execution with the company’s approved 12–16 quarter capital plan. Deliver accurate monthly updates on project status, cash flow, and completion forecasts to leadership and Finance.
• Budget & Cost Management - Estimate and build project budgets based on scope, location, and historical cost data. Work under the supervision of and closely with the CFO and Finance team to develop, refine, and align project budgets with corporate financial goals. Solicit, evaluate, and negotiate bids; award work consistent with approved scopes and budgets. Track project budgets, approve invoices, and manage change orders within established limits. Clearly communicate cost/time/quality tradeoffs to leadership to inform decision making.
• Design & Plan Coordination - Work under the supervision of and closely with the Chief Development Officer on project design and planning details. Manage the review, approval, and version control of drawings, site layouts, and specifications. Coordinate design input and approvals from Construction, Facilities, Operations, Marketing, and Safety. Ensure contractors and vendors are always working from current, approved plans.
• Vendor Sourcing & Development - Identify, qualify, and develop relationships with contractors and vendors for use in both major projects and ongoing local needs. Maintain an updated roster of approved partners by region and specialty. Evaluate vendor performance, cost competitiveness, and responsiveness for continuous improvement. Support Facilities and local leadership in sourcing reliable, cost-effective partners for small-scale and recurring work.
• Communication & Stakeholder Collaboration - Provide clear and timely updates to Operations, Facilities, and Finance on project timing, costs, and operational impacts. Communicate clear specifications and expectations to front-line or local teams executing smaller projects or maintenance work. When leading directly, maintain full ownership of schedule, quality, and cost outcomes. When coordinating through local teams, ensure responsibilities and timelines are clearly defined, communicated, and tracked.
• Closeout & Documentation - Verify completion of punch-list items, inspections, and final acceptance. Compile complete closeout documentation including as-builts, warranties, and permits. Document lessons learned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum 7 years’ experience managing commercial or multi-site construction projects, including ground-up and remodel work.
• Demonstrated success supervising large projects and managing contractors directly in the field.
• Experience overseeing multiple concurrent projects and balancing competing priorities.
• Familiarity with permitting and inspection processes across multiple jurisdictions.
• Proficiency in project management and tracking tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Procore, Excel).
• Sound understanding of mechanical engineering principles
• Willingness to travel regularly to job sites.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license with an acceptable driving record
• Authorization to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship

The Ideal Candidate will also have:

• Strong leadership and field supervision abilities; confident managing on-site work during major projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across all levels.
• Highly organized and detail-focused; capable of managing multiple active projects.
• Financially and analytically adept; experienced in estimating, budgeting, and cost forecasting.
• Hands-on, proactive, and solutions-oriented in both office and field settings.
• Solid understanding of commercial construction processes, permitting, scheduling, utilities coordination, and site development.

Physical Requirements

• Environmental – office based, with requirement to be able to work onsite.
• Physical – must be able to walk, sit for extended periods of time, carry and move up to 50 lbs.
• Vision and Hearing – Far and near visual acuity, peripheral vision and depth perception. Hear, understand, and distinguish speech from other sounds.
• Language – must be able to fluently speak and understand English when communicating with other team members, managers, and customers for business related purposes.
• Attendance – maintain regular, predictable, and punctual attendance. Work as assigned schedule.

Waterway Carwash is an Equal Opportunity / Drug-Free Workplace employer. If you require an accommodation or assistance to complete the application process, please contact recruiting@waterway.com.