Contents:
What is a technical director?
A technical director is a senior manager in a renovation company. The role calls for someone who gets things done, communicates effectively and takes responsibility. They keep the delivery and day-to-day operational side of the company's projects running.
When a company is starting out, company leaders often perform these duties themselves: marketing, recruiting, supervising site managers and dealing with technical questions. But once the number of projects starts to grow, the company cannot do without a technical director.
A 101 user discussed this staffing decision in our interview with Vladimir Berman (in Russian). Follow the link to learn at what stage of his regional branch’s development he planned to introduce the role of head of construction.
The technical director's area of responsibility
You can discuss a candidate for technical director with the team and use a group vote. When choosing, assess their sense of responsibility, willingness to tackle difficult tasks and ability to think independently.
A technical director has many procedures to follow. This is not about blindly following instructions: within those clearly defined procedures, the technical director has considerable freedom and must know how to use it in the company's interests.
The technical director's tasks
Because the technical director's area of responsibility is much broader than that of a site manager or project manager, the tasks are somewhat different:
Communicate with clients to identify problem areas, resolve disputes and agree on corrective action. Project managers also sometimes speak with clients, but strategic questions and the discussion of problems fall within the technical director's remit.
Work with the regional manager or company head on the following matters:
- Approving the price list and ensuring that it is used.
- Sharing client referrals.
- Sharing contacts and referrals for designers and architects.
- Approving new people for roles.
- Developing marketing decisions and strategies.
Allocate workloads to project managers or site managers. The technical director needs to understand employees' capabilities and set realistic tasks.
Communicate with the people who design the projects and build lasting relationships with designers.
Building a strong network of designers is the foundation for promoting the company!Work with the sales department.
Work with construction quality control specialists to find new technical solutions and improve those already used on projects.
Work with the operations director on:
- Quality control.
- Recruitment.
- Reporting in 101, including invoice approval and sign-off within the authority assigned by the company.
Ensure that project planning, recordkeeping and client reporting are in place, and that reports are prepared and sent to clients on time through the 101 app.
Monitor project balances. The technical director must continually work to prevent situations in which a project's available balance approaches zero.
Give clients their initial introduction to using the 101 app.
Monitor compliance with project deadlines.
Check that project managers use the company's equipment and tools correctly and follow their repair schedules.
Coordinate project managers and trainees, with attention to team cohesion, mentoring and development.
Team-building and management skills, and the ability to resolve disputes, are very important for a technical director.Recruit project managers and tradespeople for projects. The technical director needs to understand which people are required, define expectations clearly, assess candidates and make firm hiring decisions.
The list is extensive because the technical director communicates with almost everyone involved in a renovation.
Monitor compliance with applicable occupational health and safety requirements, workplace discipline and the company's internal rules.
Organize professional development for tradespeople and project managers.
Who is suited to the technical director role?
This is a demanding position that requires commitment, a systematic approach and the willingness to organize an entire team's work. Knowledge of construction and interior fit-out needs to be combined with leadership and management skills. They also need a keen understanding of people's psychology and the ability to anticipate potential crises.
Advantages of the role
- Freedom to organize your own schedule.
- A high salary.
- Space for creative thinking.
- Opportunities for professional growth: as senior managers develop, the company develops too.
Challenges to consider
- A substantial workload. Even when you decide how to organize your time, there is a great deal to do.
- A high level of responsibility and personal commitment.
This role requires more than following instructions or passing responsibility to others. It suits people who are prepared to contribute their effort and judgment as well as benefit from the opportunities the position offers.
