Superintendent

Company Description:

Nelson Construction & Development is a real estate developer, investor, and general contractor located in Des Moines, Iowa. Our twenty-two years of work include more than 3,000,000 square feet and $600,000,000 in both ground-up new construction as well as major award-winning historic renovations. Our work spans many states, including Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Illinois with a focus on multifamily apartments, senior living assisted living and memory care units, as well as various hotel, retail, parking garage, and office projects.

Nelson Construction & Development share one office (developer, investor, and general contractor), and are completely open with pipe line for projects, finances, and problem solving. Once the design has been started, the general contractor is involved with the developer throughout the design process. Through this process, the general contracting team gains additional information from the design team and also the opportunity to weigh in on the design means and methods.

Nelson Construction & Development only works on our own projects. Therefore there is no chasing and hard bidding projects. There is a firm commitment for each project, making the general contracting team able to start engaging on projects early.

General Contracting at Nelson looks different than a typical general contractor, and because of this - our employees have the opportunity to dive into our projects during design, solve problems/issues faster with the owner, and also always knowing projects are coming.

Job Description:

Nelson Construction & Development is seeking an experienced Superintendent to lead field operations on commercial construction projects generally ranging from $1M–$30M across multifamily, senior living, behavioral health, hospitality, municipal, commercial, and mixed-use sectors in Iowa and surrounding Midwest markets.

The Superintendent is responsible for day-to-day jobsite leadership, subcontractor coordination, safety, schedule, quality control, inspections, deliveries, site logistics, field documentation, and overall jobsite readiness. This role works closely with the Project Manager and Director of Field Operations to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, in accordance with contract documents, and with proper attention to cost, quality, and field execution. This position serves as the primary field leader and is expected to drive the project in the field with urgency, judgment, accountability, and clear communication.

About Nelson Construction & Development

Nelson Construction & Development delivers projects throughout the Midwest and has established a strong reputation for quality construction, collaborative project teams, and long-term client relationships. We are a developer and general contractor delivering projects across multiple sectors including:

• Multifamily
• Senior and Independent Living
• Behavioral Health
• Hospitality
• Municipal and Public Facilities
• Commercial and Mixed-Use Developments

Our integrated development and construction approach allows our teams to collaborate closely with clients and partners to deliver high-quality projects across the Midwest.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Field Leadership

• Lead day-to-day jobsite operations and coordinate subcontractor activities
• Serve as the primary field contact for subcontractors, suppliers, inspectors, consultants, and project personnel
• Maintain a professional, productive, safe, and accountable jobsite culture
• Set clear expectations for subcontractors and maintain accountability in the field
• Communicate clearly and consistently with the Project Manager and Director of Field Operations

Safety

• Maintain strict adherence to OSHA, federal, state, municipal, company, and project-specific safety requirements
• Lead daily jobsite safety expectations and reinforce safe work practices
• Identify unsafe conditions or behaviors and take immediate action to correct or escalate concerns
• Maintain a clean, organized, and secure jobsite
• Ensure required safety supplies, signage, barriers, and controls are in place

Schedule & Coordination

• Manage the project schedule at the field level and coordinate daily construction activities
• Develop, update, and maintain a six-week look-ahead schedule using short-interval planning techniques
• Coordinate subcontractor sequencing, site access, deliveries, inspections, work areas, manpower, and material flow
• Facilitate weekly subcontractor coordination meetings and project safety meetings
• Identify schedule risks early and communicate impacts to the Project Manager and Director of Field Operations

Quality & Project Execution

• Monitor work for compliance with drawings, specifications, approved submittals, shop drawings, and Nelson standards
• Review RFIs, submittals, drawings, specifications, and other project documents as needed to support field execution
• Identify field conflicts, missing information, constructability concerns, unclear scope conditions, and coordination issues before they affect schedule, cost, safety, or quality
• Coordinate inspections, testing, municipal requirements, owner/consultant site visits, and project-specific requirements
• Lead punch list completion, closeout coordination, turnover readiness, and final jobsite cleanup

Documentation & Field Cost Awareness

• Complete accurate and timely daily reports
• Maintain project photos, manpower tracking, delivery records, inspection records, weather logs, and field documentation
• Document site conditions, delays, impacts, visitors, inspections, and significant field activities
• Communicate potential cost or schedule impacts before work proceeds whenever possible
• Help distinguish between contract work, changed work, and field coordination issues when questions arise
• Support timely, efficient, and profitable completion of assigned projects in accordance with contract requirements

Technology Platforms

• Procore
• Bluebeam
• OpenSpace
• Microsoft Office Suite (including Outlook, Excel, and Word)
• Microsoft Project
• Construction cameras and field documentation tools

Work Environment

This role operates primarily in active construction site environments. The Superintendent regularly interacts with subcontractors, suppliers, inspectors, consultants, owners, and internal project team members. Project-based local/regional travel to assigned jobsites is required.

Why Join Nelson Construction & Development

• Work on a diverse portfolio of commercial construction projects across multiple sectors
• Lead field operations with the support of experienced project management and field leadership
• Be part of a collaborative construction operations team that values safety, accountability, quality, and clear communication
• Opportunity for professional development and growth within Nelson’s field leadership structure

Career progression typically follows: Assistant Superintendent → Superintendent → Senior Superintendent → Director of Field Operations

Benefits:

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary ($85,000-$120,000, depending on experience, project assignment, and qualifications)
• Performance-based bonus opportunities tied to project and company performance
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic life and AD&D insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Simple IRA retirement plan with employer match
• Flexible spending account options for medical and dependent care
• Health savings account option for eligible high-deductible health plan participants
• Paid time off based on years of service
• Paid holidays, including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day
• Paid parental leave
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Safety supplies provided
• Company vehicle for eligible positions
• Fuel card

Required Experience:

Qualifications Required

• Minimum of 5 years of commercial construction field experience
• Experience coordinating subcontractors, suppliers, inspections, deliveries, and field operations
• Strong understanding of construction drawings, specifications, shop drawings, sequencing, safety, quality, and site logistics
• Ability to read, understand, and coordinate contract documents, RFIs, submittals, schedules, and field conditions
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, judgment, prioritization, and decision-making abilities
• Ability to identify field issues early and communicate them clearly before they impact cost, schedule, quality, or safety
• Commitment to safety, quality, accountability, and professional jobsite management
• OSHA 30-hour certification, or ability to obtain after hire
• First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to obtain after hire
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to assigned project sites

Qualifications:

Preferred

• Construction Management, technical training, trade background, or related education
• Experience with multifamily, senior living, hospitality, municipal, commercial, or mixed-use projects
• Experience supervising projects from start-up through punch list and closeout
• Experience developing and maintaining six-week look-ahead schedules
• Experience coordinating jurisdictional inspections, testing agencies, owner turnover, and project closeout

Required Travel:

Location

Projects are primarily located in the Midwest, with most work concentrated in Iowa and surrounding markets.