Senior Construction Manager - Utility Compounds

Overview

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.