Principal Project Manager, Airport Lounge Special Projects Construction Manager
The Airport Lounge Design & Construction team is seeking a Special Projects Construction Manager to lead the capital improvement and strategic renovation strategy for our rapidly expanding network of lounges. You will be joining a dynamic, highly skilled, and forward-thinking team that you will need to complement and challenge.
The ideal candidate will have experience in hospitality and retail construction, strong technical knowledge of building systems, and proven ability to coordinate with Architects/Engineers, Code Officials, and General Contractors. Airport/aviation experience preferred.
Unlike a traditional Construction Manager role, which focuses on ground-up new builds, this position is the steward of our existing portfolio. You will not only project manage complex renovations such as MEP infrastructure upgrades, architectural refreshes, and "Day 2" scope but you will also serve as the Program Manager for the entire Special Projects lifecycle.
You will own the governance of the "Special Projects SOP," acting as the strategic filter between operations and the Design & Construction team. You will determine which requests require SME support versus routine maintenance, and you will lead the cross-functional teams required to execute them without disrupting daily operations.
This position will report to the Airport Lounge Construction Project Manager and will interact with senior leadership within the organization.
Capital One provides a fast paced, dynamic environment where you can excel in your career. At Capital One, diversity, inclusion & belonging are valued at our core, sparking and enabling us to do good for our associates, customers and communities. Guided by our shared values, we thrive in an environment where collaboration and openness are valued. We nurture an environment that attracts and develops talent from all backgrounds and experiences, and empower our associates to do great work by creating a culture of belonging that values diverse perspectives, fosters collaboration and encourages innovative ideas – and are routinely recognized as one of the best companies to work for.
**A great candidate will have: **
- Ability to confidently and clearly communicate project progress/milestones to the leadership team and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Solutions driven, with the ability to anticipate problems and proactively present multiple solutions to different audiences and drive consensus across teams.
- Understanding of construction means and methods, cost, and milestones.
- Proficiency in construction drawing, documentation and oversight
- Work on complex, cross-departmental projects that have a direct impact on the customer and company
Key Responsibilities
- Special Projects Program Management & Governance
- Own the SOP: Manage and refine the end-to-end "Intake, Analyze, Plan, Execute" workflow for all requests.
- Strategic Gatekeeping: Act as the primary decision-maker in categorizing requests (e.g., classifying a request as a strategic "Day 2" capital improvement vs. an operational expense).
- Stakeholder Alignment: Lead alignment meetings with Leadership, Guest Experience (GX), and Design & Construction Managers to prioritize projects based on budget, guest impact, and brand integrity.
- Data & Reporting: Move beyond simple tracking; analyze data from the intake dashboard to identify trends (e.g., recurring millwork issues) and drive systemic changes to our design standards.
- Complex Project Execution
- Capital Projects: Lead the execution of high-complexity improvement projects in active lounges (e.g., HVAC/MEP retrofits, kitchen equipment roll-outs, and architectural changes) with minimal impact to the guest experience.
- Day 2 Scope: Manage the budget and execution of post-opening "Day 2" adjustments, ensuring the transition from Construction Administration to Operations is seamless.
- Vendor Strategy: Leverage and manage relationships with specialized vendors and General Contractors, identifying opportunities where D&C relationships can drive better pricing or speed than standard maintenance vendors.
- Continuous Improvement & Design Standards
- Design Integration: Act as the operational feasibility partner for the Design Managers. Translate operational performance data into actionable design standard updates for future new builds.
- Enhance Customer Experience: Use a data-driven approach to identify and develop initiatives focused on improving the overall customer experience within the physical space.
This role will require approximately 30 - 40% travel.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Engineering, or Architecture
- At least 5 years of experience in Construction Project Management within operating environments in the Hospitality, Retail, or Aviation industry
- At least 3 years of experience managing MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) retrofits or renovations
Preferred Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience managing capital budgets and "Sustainment/Restoration/Modernization" (SRM) programs
- PMP (Project Management Professional) certification
- Experience developing intake workflows or project governance structures
- Technical expertise in HVAC systems and commercial kitchen infrastructure
- Demonstrated ability to manage "Design-Assist" or "Design-Build" delivery methods for rapid project execution
- Experience working in the luxury Hospitality, Retail, or Aviation environment handling high end finishes and details.
At this time, Capital One will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount Capital One is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
Chicago, IL: $109,900 - $125,400 for Principal Project Manager
McLean, VA: $120,800 - $137,900 for Principal Project Manager
New York, NY: $131,800 - $150,500 for Principal Project Manager
Richmond, VA: $109,900 - $125,400 for Principal Project Manager
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
This role is also eligible to earn performance based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonus(es) and/or long term incentives (LTI). Incentives could be discretionary or non discretionary depending on the plan.
Capital One offers a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being. Learn more at the Capital One Careers website. Eligibility varies based on full or part-time status, exempt or non-exempt status, and management level.
This role is expected to accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days.
No agencies please. Capital One is an equal opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/vet) committed to non-discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Capital One promotes a drug-free workplace. Capital One will consider for employment qualified applicants with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws regarding criminal background inquiries, including, to the extent applicable, Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law; San Francisco, California Police Code Article 49, Sections 4901-4920; New York City’s Fair Chance Act; Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Act; and other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding criminal background inquiries.
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