Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

Position Summary The Senior Construction Manager Utility Compounds is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and execution of complex utilities construction projects, including transmission and distribution lines, substations, underground duct banks, and associated civil works. This role oversees multiple projects from pre-construction through commissioning, ensuring they are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in compliance with quality standards, regulatory requirements, and utility-specific specifications. The position will interface with owners, utilities, EPC partners, contractors, engineers, and regulatory agencies, and will provide leadership to field construction teams across multiple concurrent projects.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Construction Management

• Lead the construction execution of utility compounds projects (transmission, distribution, substations, underground/overhead systems) from notice to proceed through turnover.
• Develop and manage detailed construction execution plans, phasing, sequencing, and site logistics to optimize safety, schedule, and cost.
• Oversee daily construction activities, including civil, structural, electrical, and mechanical work, ensuring adherence to design documents, utility standards, and contract requirements.
• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, and project controls to support an integrated EPC/project delivery approach.
• Review IFB/IFC drawings, constructability, and specifications; provide feedback to engineering and project management on design optimizations and risk mitigation.
• Manage constructability reviews, field change requests, RFIs, submittmits, and technical queries, ensuring timely resolution.
• Support commissioning and energization activities, including test plans, punch lists, and turnover documentation.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture; ensure compliance with company safety policies, OSHA, NESC, and utility safety requirements.
• Conduct and/or oversee site safety meetings, job hazard analyses, and field safety audits; enforce stop-work authority when conditions are unsafe.
• Ensure quality control and assurance processes are implemented and maintained; monitor work against drawings, standards, and applicable codes.
• Coordinate inspections with utilities and third-party inspectors; ensure closure of non-conformances and punch list items.
• Maintain compliance with environmental permits, right-of-way conditions, and regulatory requirements

Schedule & Cost Management

• Develop and maintain construction schedules in coordination with project controls and scheduling teams.
• Track progress against milestones; identify variances and implement corrective actions to recover schedule.
• Collaborate on project budgets and forecasts; monitor field productivity, unit rates, and cost performance against baseline.
• Support change management by identifying scope changes, preparing change order requests, and assessing cost and schedule impacts.
• Review and approve subcontractor invoices, timesheets, and progress payments based on field verification.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership to field teams and subcontractors; set expectations on safety, quality, and performance.
• Mentor and develop junior construction staff; support training in utility standards and construction best practices.
• Serve as primary construction contact for clients, utilities, and key stakeholders on assigned projects.
• Lead regular construction progress meetings, both internal and external; communicate status, risks, and mitigation plans clearly.
• Collaborate with right-of-way, environmental, permitting, and community relations teams to coordinate field activities and address public concerns.

Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Identify, assess, and mitigate construction risks (safety, technical, schedule, cost, permitting, and stakeholder-related).
• Maintain and update risk registers; propose proactive mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
• Capture lessons learned and promote continuous improvement in construction methods, tools, and processes.
• Support development and implementation of standard work procedures, best practices, and templates for utility construction projects.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field; equivalent combination of education and extensive experience will be considered.
• 15 Years of progressive construction management experience, with at least years focused on utilities compounds.
• Proven experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary construction projects in a live utility or power environment.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering projects safely, on schedule, and within budget.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer license or Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential.
• Experience with EPC delivery models and large-scale capital programs.
• Experience working with major utilities, IPPs, or transmission owners/operators.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Solid grasp of project management processes, including scheduling (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project), cost control, and change management.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, one-line diagrams, schematics, and specifications.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills with the ability to influence across disciplines and organizations.
• Strong problem-solving skills; able to manage ambiguity and make field decisions aligned with project objectives.
• Proficient with office and field software tools.