Director of Capital Projects

Come join our team at Optimal!

We know a few things about competing with giants and exceeding expectations.

After years of working in the field, our founders decided to break from tradition and build the company they wanted to work for. They believed in starting a company rooted in trust, its team, and the idea that everyone matters and has a part in getting the job done right.

Quickly building a reputation from the ground up and growing the company along with our list of clients, Optimal is now influencing the industry and the people we serve. We live by the values that make us who we are.

And that is how we deliver the impossible for our clients and team members every day.

Optimal Field Services, a Crest Industries company, is looking to hire an experienced Director of Capital Projects to work at our Geismar, LA Office. The Director of Capital Projects is a dynamic and experienced leader whose primary focus is on growing our capital projects division. This executive-level role is responsible for the full lifecycle of capital projects—from preconstruction and estimating through execution, closeout, and client relationship management. This is a seasoned leader with deep experience in industrial construction (especially refineries, petrochemical, and chemical plants), a sharp commercial mindset, and a hands-on understanding of field operations.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

·        Provide executive oversight of all capital project activities across the region.

·        Develop and implement long-term strategies to grow the capital projects division, including market penetration, resource planning, and client alignment.

·        Lead, mentor, and develop project managers, superintendents, estimators, and project controls personnel.

Project Execution

·        Oversee the execution of capital projects from estimating through final turnover, ensuring performance in safety, quality, schedule, and budget.

·        Serve as an escalation point for resolving project challenges and ensuring alignment between field execution and contract requirements.

·        Drive process improvement and standardization across project delivery, forecasting, and reporting.

Estimating & Preconstruction

·        Review and approve capital project estimates and proposals for accuracy, competitiveness, and risk.

·        Work closely with preconstruction, procurement, and engineering teams to ensure scope clarity and constructability.

·        Engage in client negotiations and contract development during the bid phase.

Client Engagement & Business Development

·        Serve as a primary point of contact for key capital clients; build strong, long-term relationships.

·        Identify opportunities for repeat work, scope expansion, and new business with existing and prospective clients.

·        Represent the company at industry events, client meetings, and strategic forums.

Financial Management

·        Monitor project financial performance including revenue, margins, and cash flow.

·        Support budgeting and forecasting for the capital division in coordination with finance and executive teams.

·        Ensure project risks are identified early and managed effectively.

Requirements:

·        Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field; MBA or advanced degree is a plus.

·        15+ years of experience in industrial construction, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role managing large-scale capital projects.

·        Proven success in leading capital project teams in refineries, petrochemical, or chemical facilities.

·        Strong estimating background and a deep understanding of cost control, productivity, and execution planning.

·        Demonstrated success in building and growing client relationships and business units.

·        Excellent negotiation, communication, and leadership skills.

·        Proficient in project controls systems (Primavera P6, estimating software, cost tracking tools).

Preferred Traits:

·        Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

·        Respected industry presence with a reputation for integrity, delivery, and client service.

·        Ability to travel regularly between offices and job sites across Louisiana and Texas.

Stop relying on contractors who over promise, under deliver, and do not care about your success. Instead, experience the Optimal difference. Build your team with us and know you have experienced craftsmen who have your back and can deliver.

Optimal Field Services is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

Optimal Field Services is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request information regarding reasonable accommodation, contact your Human Resource Business Partner.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Part of the CREST INDUSTRIES family of companies.