Senior Project Manager – Heavy Civil Construction

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager – Heavy Civil to lead complex infrastructure projects throughout Southern California.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience working for a self-performing heavy civil contractor, with a strong background managing projects involving underground utilities, earthwork, mass grading, asphalt paving, structural concrete, railroad, and public works construction.

This is a hands-on project leadership role with responsibility for the complete project lifecycle, including preconstruction, planning, scheduling, financial performance, subcontractor management, client relationships, change management, and project closeout. The Senior Project Manager will work closely with Superintendents and field leadership to ensure projects are delivered safely, profitably, and on schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage heavy civil construction projects from preconstruction and project startup through completion and closeout.
• Take ownership of project financial performance, including budget, revenue, gross margin, cash flow, forecasting, and profitability.
• Develop and maintain accurate cost-to-complete forecasts and monthly project financial projections.
• Manage projects involving self-performed scopes including:
  • Underground Utilities
  • Water, Sewer & Storm Drain
  • Earthwork & Mass Grading
  • Excavation
  • Asphalt Paving
  • Structural Concrete
  • Railroad Infrastructure
  • Public Works
• Partner with Superintendents to develop construction plans, schedules, manpower requirements, equipment needs, and project sequencing.
• Monitor field production, labor costs, equipment utilization, material costs, and subcontractor performance.
• Review project plans, specifications, contracts, geotechnical reports, and other construction documents.
• Identify project risks, constructability issues, scope gaps, and potential cost or schedule impacts.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, claims, correspondence, and project documentation.
• Identify, price, negotiate, and execute change orders while protecting project profitability and contractual rights.
• Develop and maintain project schedules and ensure critical milestones are achieved.
• Manage subcontractors, suppliers, vendors, and procurement activities.
• Negotiate subcontracts, purchase orders, and major material commitments.
• Coordinate with owners, engineers, inspectors, public agencies, utility companies, railroad representatives, and other project stakeholders.
• Lead project meetings and provide clear communication regarding schedule, cost, risk, quality, and project performance.
• Participate in project handoffs from estimating and validate bid assumptions, production rates, quantities, and scope.
• Support estimating and preconstruction efforts on future pursuits by providing historical cost data, production information, and operational input.
• Ensure compliance with project safety, environmental, quality, and contractual requirements.
• Mentor Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, Project Engineers, and other project staff.
• Build and maintain long-term client relationships that support repeat business and future project opportunities.

Preferred Project Experience

Candidates with experience managing multiple heavy civil disciplines are highly preferred, including:

• Underground Wet Utilities
• Water & Sewer Pipelines
• Storm Drain
• Earthwork
• Mass Excavation
• Mass Grading
• Asphalt Paving
• Structural Concrete
• Bridges & Structures
• Railroad Construction
• Caltrans
• Public Works
• Utility Infrastructure
• Transportation Infrastructure
• Municipal & Agency Projects

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive heavy civil construction experience.
• 5+ years of Project Management experience managing heavy civil infrastructure projects.
• Strong background working for a self-performing heavy civil contractor.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple self-perform scopes such as utilities, earthwork, grading, asphalt, and concrete.
• Experience delivering California public works, transportation, railroad, municipal, or utility infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of heavy civil construction means and methods.
• Ability to manage complex projects from startup through final completion.
• Strong understanding of project contracts, plans, specifications, schedules, and cost controls.
• Proven ability to manage project teams, subcontractors, vendors, and field operations.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline preferred. Equivalent heavy civil construction experience may be considered.

Project Financial Management

Candidates should have extensive experience with:

• Project Budget Management
• Cost-to-Complete Forecasting
• Revenue & Margin Forecasting
• Cost Control
• Cash Flow Management
• Change Order Management
• Claims & Contract Management
• Labor Productivity
• Equipment Utilization
• Subcontractor Cost Management
• Procurement
• Schedule Management
• Project Risk Management

The Senior Project Manager must be able to identify financial and operational issues early and take corrective action to protect schedule, margin, and overall project performance.

Field & Operations Leadership

This position requires a Project Manager who understands how heavy civil work is actually constructed.

Candidates should be comfortable working directly with Superintendents and field teams to evaluate:

• Crew Composition
• Production Rates
• Equipment Selection
• Construction Sequencing
• Site Logistics
• Earthwork Balancing
• Material Procurement
• Subcontractor Coordination
• Means & Methods
• Constructability
• Schedule Recovery
• Productivity & Cost Performance

Technical Skills

Experience with heavy civil construction management software is preferred, including:

• HCSS HeavyJob / HeavyBid
• Procore
• Primavera P6
• Bluebeam Revu
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Cost forecasting and project management systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Caltrans project delivery experience.
• Railroad construction experience with BNSF, Union Pacific, Metrolink, or similar rail owners.
• Extensive California public works experience.
• Experience managing large, complex self-performed heavy civil projects.
• Strong understanding of union labor and prevailing wage requirements.
• Experience with Design-Build, CM/GC, Progressive Design-Build, or other alternative delivery methods.
• Established relationships with Southern California owners, agencies, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Experience mentoring and developing Project Managers and Project Engineers.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a builder and project leader, not simply an administrator.

The successful candidate will understand both the financial and operational sides of heavy civil construction and be comfortable moving between the office and field. This person should be able to review a cost forecast in the morning, work through a production or scheduling issue with the Superintendent in the field, negotiate a change order with the owner, and provide leadership to the project team.

Candidates should have a strong sense of ownership and accountability for safety, schedule, cost, quality, client relationships, and profitability.

Location

Southern California – Riverside Region

Regional travel to active projects, offices, and construction yards will be required.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $160,000–$200,000+, depending on experience.
• Profit sharing / performance incentives.
• Company vehicle or vehicle allowance.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement benefits.
• Paid Time Off.
• Additional company benefits.
• Career advancement opportunities into Project Executive, Operations Manager, Area Manager, or Division leadership.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of challenging heavy civil infrastructure projects while working for a team that self-performs the work it builds. You'll have direct responsibility for project execution, financial performance, field operations, client relationships, and team development, with a clear path toward broader operational leadership.