VELOCITY SEARCH GROUP

Senior Tunnel Project Manager – Microtunneling & Trenchless Construction

Portland, OR · Remote considered · Job ID fcc438b7

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Senior Tunnel Project Manager – Microtunneling & Trenchless Construction

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Tunnel Project Manager to lead complex microtunneling, pipe jacking, trenchless, deep sewer, and large-diameter underground pipeline projects throughout the West Coast.

This position will have overall responsibility for the successful delivery and profitability of major tunneling and underground infrastructure projects ranging from approximately $10 million to $100 million+.

The ideal candidate will have extensive heavy civil project management experience with specific expertise in microtunneling, tunnel boring, pipe jacking, shaft construction, deep excavations, and large-diameter water/wastewater pipelines.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for project financial performance, field execution, contract management, risk, schedule, client relationships, and development of project teams.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead major tunneling and underground infrastructure projects from preconstruction through final completion and closeout.
  • Manage projects ranging from approximately $10M to $100M+.
  • Provide leadership to project teams of 10+ employees, including Project Managers, Project Engineers, Tunnel Superintendents, Tunnel Engineers, and field personnel.
  • Manage projects involving:
    • Microtunneling
    • Pipe Jacking
    • Tunnel Boring
    • Utility Tunnels
    • Deep Sewer Pipelines
    • Large-Diameter Pipelines
    • Launch & Receiving Shafts
    • Deep Excavations
    • Trenchless Installations
    • Water & Wastewater Infrastructure
  • Take ownership of project budget, revenue, margin, forecasting, cash flow, and overall profitability.
  • Develop and maintain accurate cost-to-complete forecasts and project financial reports.
  • Manage multiple complex projects or major project phases simultaneously.
  • Work closely with Tunnel Superintendents and field leadership to develop construction sequencing, manpower plans, equipment requirements, and production goals.
  • Monitor tunneling production, labor productivity, equipment utilization, subcontractor performance, and material costs.
  • Identify project risks early and develop strategies to protect safety, schedule, budget, and margin.
  • Review and negotiate change orders, claims, differing site conditions, and other contractual issues.
  • Manage owner contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, procurement, and major equipment commitments.
  • Oversee project schedules and develop recovery plans when necessary.
  • Coordinate with owners, engineers, municipalities, agencies, subcontractors, suppliers, and other project stakeholders.
  • Maintain strong relationships with existing clients while identifying opportunities for repeat business and future projects.
  • Lead project meetings and communicate project status, risks, financial performance, and schedule to executive leadership.
  • Mentor and develop Project Managers, Project Engineers, and other project staff.
  • Maintain a strong culture of safety, accountability, quality, and operational excellence.

Tunneling & Underground Expertise

Candidates should have significant experience with several of the following:

  • Microtunneling / MTBM
  • Pipe Jacking
  • Utility Tunnels
  • Tunnel Boring Machines
  • Trenchless Construction
  • Jack & Bore
  • Auger Boring
  • Launch & Receiving Shafts
  • Deep Shafts
  • Deep Excavations
  • Shoring Systems
  • Large-Diameter Sewer
  • Water Transmission Pipelines
  • Wastewater Infrastructure
  • Underground Utilities
  • Groundwater / Dewatering
  • Slurry Systems
  • Ground Improvement

Strong knowledge of tunneling means and methods, production rates, equipment requirements, ground conditions, shaft construction, line and grade, and underground safety is highly desirable.

Project Financial & Commercial Management

The Senior Tunnel Project Manager will have direct responsibility for:

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

Candidates must have a demonstrated history of identifying financial and operational issues early and taking appropriate action to protect project performance.

Estimating & Preconstruction

  • Review estimates prepared by estimating and preconstruction teams.
  • Validate quantities, production assumptions, crew compositions, equipment requirements, and tunneling means and methods.
  • Participate in constructability and risk reviews.
  • Evaluate geotechnical information and its potential impact on tunneling operations.
  • Review shaft requirements, tunneling equipment selection, production rates, and project sequencing.
  • Participate in final bid reviews and project pursuit strategy.
  • Provide historical cost and production information to improve future estimates.
  • Lead successful project handoffs between estimating and operations.

Client & Business Development

  • Develop and maintain long-term relationships with public agencies, municipalities, utility owners, engineers, and industry partners.
  • Serve as a senior point of contact for project owners and key stakeholders.
  • Identify opportunities for additional work and future project pursuits.
  • Participate in interviews, proposals, negotiations, and business development activities.
  • Support strategic pursuit of major tunneling and underground infrastructure projects.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Construction Engineering, or related discipline preferred.
  • 15+ years of relevant heavy civil construction experience.
  • Minimum 4+ years directly managing tunneling or trenchless construction projects.
  • Proven experience managing large and complex heavy civil projects.
  • Strong background in microtunneling, pipe jacking, tunneling, or deep underground pipeline construction.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage projects profitably.
  • Strong understanding of project financials, forecasting, contracts, scheduling, and risk management.
  • Ability to analyze project data and make timely operational and financial decisions.
  • Strong leadership and team-development capabilities.
  • Experience managing multidisciplinary project and field teams.
  • Strong client relationship and negotiation skills.
  • Ability and willingness to participate in business development and project pursuits.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Extensive microtunneling and pipe-jacking experience.
  • Experience with projects involving deep, large-diameter sewer or water pipelines.
  • Experience managing projects valued at $50M–$100M+.
  • Experience working with public agencies and municipal utility owners.
  • West Coast heavy civil and underground construction experience.
  • Design-Build, CM/GC, Progressive Design-Build, or other alternative delivery experience.
  • Experience managing challenging geotechnical and groundwater conditions.
  • Strong relationships within the tunneling, trenchless, water, and wastewater construction markets.

Technical Skills

Experience with construction management and project controls platforms is preferred, including:

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

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a senior project leader who understands tunneling from both the operational and commercial sides of the business.

The successful candidate should be equally comfortable reviewing a $50M project forecast, evaluating MTBM production with a Tunnel Superintendent, reviewing geotechnical risks, negotiating a major change order with an owner, or helping the estimating team develop a strategy for the next tunneling pursuit.

This individual will take ownership of safety, people, production, schedule, financial performance, risk, client relationships, and profitability.

Location

West Coast – California, Oregon & Washington

Travel and extended assignments to active tunneling and underground infrastructure projects may be required.

Work Environment

  • Full-time leadership position.
  • Combination of project office and active construction site responsibilities.
  • Regular interaction with tunneling crews, heavy equipment, owners, engineers, and subcontractors.
  • Ability to work around active heavy civil and underground construction operations.
  • Appropriate PPE required while onsite.
  • Ability to travel based on project requirements.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to take a senior leadership role delivering technically challenging microtunneling, pipe jacking, utility tunnel, deep sewer, and large-diameter pipeline projects.

You'll have direct responsibility for project execution, financial performance, tunneling operations, client relationships, team development, and future project pursuits, with the opportunity to help grow a specialized tunneling and trenchless construction operation.

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