Senior Engagement Manager

Thomas Cavanagh Construction Limited; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family, people-centric culture

Safe and healthy workplace

Internal growth opportunities

Training and development opportunities

Benefits, Wellness and Pension Programs

Job summary

A leading construction firm in Ottawa is seeking a Senior Engagement Manager to lead complex client engagements and drive digital transformation using the Palantir Foundry platform. The ideal candidate will have over seven years of experience in construction project management, strong leadership skills, and an eagerness to transition into technology. This role involves leading cross-functional teams and ensuring projects align with client goals. Excellent communication skills are essential, as you will interact directly with executive stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in Construction Project Management or similar roles.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams and manage complex projects.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex client engagements, acting as a strategic partner.
• Define project scope and manage timelines to ensure high-value delivery.
• Mentor junior Engagement Managers and contribute to internal initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Tech Curiosity

Education

Post secondary education in business, construction, or engineering

Tools

Construction tools

Project scheduling software

Job description

Travel: Frequent travel to client sites required

Founded in 1953, Thomas Cavanagh Construction has continued to set the standard for quality construction and materials in Eastern Ontario. With our strategically located pits and quarries, our unmatched fleet of trucks and heavy equipment, our state-of-the-art facilities, and our dedicated employees, Thomas Cavanagh Construction has earned a reputation as one of Ottawa’s most trusted and respected contractors.

Overview

We are looking for a Senior Engagement Manager (SEM) to lead our most complex client engagements and drive the digital transformation built on the Palantir Foundry platform. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced construction professional to pivot into the technology sector, using your deep subject matter expertise to build the future of construction operations. As a Senior Engagement Manager, you are the “Product Owner” and Project Manager for high-stakes engagements. You will serve as the primary strategic partner for our clients, translating their complex operational needs into clear technical requirements. In addition to leading your own engagements, you will play a key role in mentoring junior Engagement Managers and shaping our delivery methodologies. You will lead a cross-functional Engagement Team, working in a leadership trio alongside a Technical Lead (TL) and an Implementation Lead (IL). Together, you will ensure that what we build is not only technically sound but also solves real-world problems.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Engagement Leadership: Own the overall success of complex client engagements, serving as the strategic bridge between the client’s business goals and our technical delivery.
• Product Definition: Work directly with senior client stakeholders to identify critical pain points, define scope, and wireframe solutions that leverage Palantir Foundry.
• Program & Project Management: Manage timelines, priorities, and resources across multiple or large-scale initiatives, ensuring the team delivers high-value solutions on schedule.
• Team Collaboration: Lead the “Engagement Trio,” coordinating closely with the Technical Lead to ensure feasibility of designs and the Implementation Lead to ensure successful user adoption.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as the trusted advisor to executive stakeholders and external clients, managing expectations, negotiations, and high-level communication.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Apply your deep knowledge of construction to ensure our digital tools align with actual field workflows and industry best practices.
• Mentorship & Growth: Mentor junior Engagement Managers, sharing best practices and helping to build a high-performing product team.
• Internal Initiatives: Contribute to the development of internal SOPs, playbooks, and best practices to standardize and improve our delivery model.

Requirements

• Industry Experience: Extensive experience (7+ years) in Construction Project Management or adjacent roles such as consulting or construction management. You have a deep understanding of how job sites run and the strategic challenges facing the industry.
• Tech Curiosity: A strong desire to pivot into the technology sector. While you may not write code, you are “tech-forward” and understand the potential of software to solve industrial problems.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead diverse teams, mentor staff, and manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present confidently to C-suite executives.
• Problem Solving: Ability to decompose complex, ambiguous operational challenges into concrete, logical solution designs.
• Entrepreneurial: You are a self-starter who thrives in a “startup” environment. You take ownership of outcomes and are excited by the challenge of building a new business unit.

Valuable Asset

• Post secondary education in business, construction, or engineering.
• Professional certifications such as PMP or equivalent.
• Experience with project scheduling or other construction tools.
• Familiarity with agile project management methodologies.
• Experience or certification in Product Management.
• Experience with data science tools, principles, and computer science.
• Exposure to Palantir Foundry.

Cavanagh Employee Benefits

• Family, people-centric culture
• Safe and healthy workplace, promoting well being.
• Internal growth opportunities
• Training and development opportunities
• Benefit, Wellness and Pension Programs

Wage Range

The salary range for this position in Ontario at the start of employment is expected to be between $110,000 and $160,000 per year. However, the range offered is based on local job market factors and may vary further depending on factors specific to the selected job candidate, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.

We may use AI-enabled tools to support a fair and efficient recruitment process. All results are reviewed by a Recruiter. Please contact Human Resources if you have any questions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.