Program Director Jobs at Clayco with Visa Sponsorship
Program Director jobs at Clayco involve leading complex construction and real estate projects from preconstruction through delivery. The company has an established record of sponsoring work visas for this function, making it a realistic target if you're building a long-term career in the U.S. construction sector.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout us
Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for mission critical, industrial, life sciences, power & energy, aviation, commercial, institutional, residential and sports & entertainment related building projects.
About LJC
LJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design. We are a team of high-energy professionals who share a passion for design, a collaborative approach, and a casual culture. We solve challenges by leveraging the collective expertise and ingenuity of the best and brightest minds across development, design, and construction.
The Role We Want You For
As a Project Manager – Life Sciences, you will lead multi-disciplinary design teams in delivering state-of-the-art facilities for clients in the Life Sciences market, including the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. You’ll oversee the complete engineering lifecycle – from concept through construction – ensuring design meets rigorous GMP, FDA, and other regulatory standards.
This is a highly visible role that combines technical expertise and leadership, operating within Clayco’s collaborative design-build model to create efficient, compliant, and innovative environments that advance scientific and manufacturing excellence.
The Specifics of the Role
Leadership and Project Management
- Lead and manage engineering and architectural design teams across multiple disciplines to successfully execute complex life science projects.
- Oversee project scope, budget, and schedule to ensure successful delivery and client satisfaction.
- Coordinate closely with in-house Construction teams to achieve seamless design-build integration.
- Lead multidisciplinary coordination reviews to ensure integrated and cohesive design deliverables, while ensuring that each discipline performs its own internal quality checks and verifications.
Technical Oversight
- Direct the development of designs from conceptual through final design stages.
- Review submittals, RFIs, and design modifications, and conduct field visits to verify that work is proceeding according to design intent.
- Provide general technical guidance on process systems, utilities, and building integration for regulated environments, engaging Subject Matter Experts for deeper technical discussions.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the primary design contact for assigned projects, ensuring clear communication and alignment with client objectives.
- Lead design concept and technical solutions presentations to clients and internal stakeholders.
- Build trusted relationships through transparency, accountability, and technical excellence.
Team & Process Development
- Mentor engineers and designers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
- Contribute to the development of Clayco’s design standards, tools, and best practices.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural, Engineering, or related field
- 10+ years of engineering design experience in GMP, FDA, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
- 2+ years of experience managing or leading multidisciplinary design teams.
- Proven background in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or other life science facility design.
- Strong knowledge of construction methods, process engineering, and regulatory compliance.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to lead meetings and present to clients effectively.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with AutoCAD, Revit, or similar software a plus.
- Ability to travel to project sites and client facilities as required.
- Resilient, adaptable, and driven to succeed through complex challenges.
Some Things You Should Know
- No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
- We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
- The pace is fast!
Why Clayco and LJC?
- 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
- 2025 ENR Top 400 – Top Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
Benefits
- Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!
Compensation
- The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
About us
Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for mission critical, industrial, life sciences, power & energy, aviation, commercial, institutional, residential and sports & entertainment related building projects.
About LJC
LJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design. We are a team of high-energy professionals who share a passion for design, a collaborative approach, and a casual culture. We solve challenges by leveraging the collective expertise and ingenuity of the best and brightest minds across development, design, and construction.
The Role We Want You For
As a Project Manager – Life Sciences, you will lead multi-disciplinary design teams in delivering state-of-the-art facilities for clients in the Life Sciences market, including the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. You’ll oversee the complete engineering lifecycle – from concept through construction – ensuring design meets rigorous GMP, FDA, and other regulatory standards.
This is a highly visible role that combines technical expertise and leadership, operating within Clayco’s collaborative design-build model to create efficient, compliant, and innovative environments that advance scientific and manufacturing excellence.
The Specifics of the Role
Leadership and Project Management
- Lead and manage engineering and architectural design teams across multiple disciplines to successfully execute complex life science projects.
- Oversee project scope, budget, and schedule to ensure successful delivery and client satisfaction.
- Coordinate closely with in-house Construction teams to achieve seamless design-build integration.
- Lead multidisciplinary coordination reviews to ensure integrated and cohesive design deliverables, while ensuring that each discipline performs its own internal quality checks and verifications.
Technical Oversight
- Direct the development of designs from conceptual through final design stages.
- Review submittals, RFIs, and design modifications, and conduct field visits to verify that work is proceeding according to design intent.
- Provide general technical guidance on process systems, utilities, and building integration for regulated environments, engaging Subject Matter Experts for deeper technical discussions.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the primary design contact for assigned projects, ensuring clear communication and alignment with client objectives.
- Lead design concept and technical solutions presentations to clients and internal stakeholders.
- Build trusted relationships through transparency, accountability, and technical excellence.
Team & Process Development
- Mentor engineers and designers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
- Contribute to the development of Clayco’s design standards, tools, and best practices.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural, Engineering, or related field
- 10+ years of engineering design experience in GMP, FDA, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
- 2+ years of experience managing or leading multidisciplinary design teams.
- Proven background in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or other life science facility design.
- Strong knowledge of construction methods, process engineering, and regulatory compliance.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to lead meetings and present to clients effectively.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with AutoCAD, Revit, or similar software a plus.
- Ability to travel to project sites and client facilities as required.
- Resilient, adaptable, and driven to succeed through complex challenges.
Some Things You Should Know
- No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
- We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
- The pace is fast!
Why Clayco and LJC?
- 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
- 2025 ENR Top 400 – Top Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
Benefits
- Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!
Compensation
- The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
See all 88+ Program Director Jobs at Clayco
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Program Director Jobs at Clayco
Frame your credentials around U.S. construction delivery
Clayco runs integrated design-build programs, so your resume should lead with end-to-end project delivery experience, not just oversight titles. Highlight scope management, subcontractor coordination, and owner-facing accountability in terms that map directly to U.S. program execution.
Target Clayco's active market sectors first
Clayco concentrates hiring in industrial, mission-critical, and commercial sectors. Prioritize applications in those verticals rather than scattering across every open role. A Program Director application tied to a sector Clayco is actively scaling carries more traction in their pipeline.
Use Migrate Mate to filter Program Director openings by visa type
Clayco posts Program Director roles across multiple regions, and not every opening maps to the same sponsorship path. Migrate Mate lets you filter current openings by the visa types Clayco actively sponsors, so you can target the right role before you apply.
Clarify your visa status early in the interview
Construction employers often assume sponsorship means H-1B lottery risk. If you're on F-1 OPT, TN, or are cap-exempt, say so directly when the topic comes up. Removing the lottery variable can shift the conversation from risk to straightforward paperwork.
Understand how PERM timelines interact with construction contracts
If Clayco moves toward permanent residency sponsorship through PERM, labor certification timelines from DOL can run 12 to 18 months. Factor that into offer negotiations, especially if your current status or grace period creates a near-term gap that needs bridging through an H-1B or TN extension.
Align your references to project delivery outcomes
Clayco's hiring process for Program Directors involves vetting through operational leaders, not just HR. Professional references who can speak to schedule performance, budget adherence, and client relationships on large-scale builds will carry more weight than academic or general character references.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Clayco sponsor H-1B visas for Program Directors?
Yes, Clayco sponsors H-1B visas for Program Director roles. Program Director positions typically qualify as specialty occupations given the degree requirements in engineering, construction management, or a related field. If you're subject to the H-1B cap, timing your offer around the annual April filing window matters. Cap-exempt situations, such as prior approved H-1B status, can allow faster processing outside that window.
How do I apply for Program Director jobs at Clayco?
Applications go through Clayco's careers portal, where Program Director roles are listed by region and sector. Before applying, confirm the role aligns with your visa type, since not every posting has the same sponsorship path. Migrate Mate is a practical starting point to browse current Clayco Program Director openings filtered by the visa categories the company actively supports, which saves time before you formally apply.
Which visa types does Clayco commonly use for Program Director roles?
Clayco has sponsored a range of visa categories for this function, including H-1B, TN visa for Canadian and Mexican nationals, F-1 OPT and CPT for recent graduates, J-1 visa for exchange visitors, and EB-2 or EB-3 immigrant visa pathways for permanent residency. The right fit depends on your nationality, education, and how long you need authorization to cover the role.
What qualifications does Clayco expect for Program Director candidates?
Clayco typically looks for a bachelor's degree or higher in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture, combined with substantial experience leading large-scale commercial or industrial programs. Candidates who can demonstrate end-to-end design-build delivery, subcontractor management, and direct client engagement are prioritized. Relevant certifications such as PMP or CCM can strengthen an application, particularly for complex program scopes.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take after a Clayco offer?
Timeline depends heavily on visa type. TN status for qualifying Canadian nationals can be obtained at a port of entry within days. H-1B standard processing with USCIS currently runs several months, while premium processing can reduce that to around 15 business days. PERM-based Green Card sponsorship involves DOL labor certification and USCIS petition stages that together can span two years or more, so it's worth raising the timeline in offer discussions.