Construction Operations Manager

Arkadia Search Recruiting; Columbia (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Arkadia Search Recruiting is partnering with an established excavation and concrete contractor to place a Project Manager who will own estimating and project execution while growing into broader operational responsibilities.

The role emphasizes estimating and bidding from the start, with progression toward scheduling, field operations and overall day-to-day company operations as you gain trust and experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in estimating and bidding for excavation, concrete, and site development projects.
• Strong understanding of field construction processes and labor/equipment planning.
• Ability to manage budgets, schedules and resources across multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review project estimates, bids, and scopes of work.
• Evaluate labor, equipment, and material needs for planned work.
• Manage construction projects from planning through completion.
• Coordinate crews, equipment, materials, subcontractors, and schedules.
• Work with field personnel to resolve issues and keep projects moving.
• Monitor costs, schedules, and overall project performance.
• Manage change orders and communicate with stakeholders.
• Coordinate resources across multiple active projects.
• Collaborate with ownership on strategic project decisions.

Skills

Estimating

Bidding

Project Management

Field Coordination

Job description

We are partnering with an established excavation and concrete contractor seeking an experienced Project Manager who can take ownership of estimating and project execution while growing into broader operational responsibility over time.

This is not a traditional Project Manager role focused solely on managing individual projects after they are awarded. Estimating and bidding will be an important part of the position from the start. The right person will understand how work is actually performed in the field and be comfortable evaluating plans, developing estimates, planning labor, equipment and materials, and helping carry projects from bid through completion.

The role will work directly with ownership and offers significant long term runway. As the individual learns the business and earns trust, there will be an opportunity to assume increasing responsibility for scheduling, field operations, resource planning, customer relationships and the overall day to day operation of the company.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

For a Project Manager who wants broader responsibility and a path beyond managing individual projects, this is a unique opportunity to become an important part of an established construction business.

You’ll be involved in:

• Estimating, bidding and project planning
• Managing projects from preconstruction through completion
• Crew, equipment, material and resource planning
• Scheduling and coordination across active projects
• Customer, contractor and stakeholder communication
• Field problem solving and operational decision making
• Working directly with ownership and taking on greater responsibility over time

This is a hands‑on construction environment where plans can change quickly and practical field knowledge matters. The person in this role needs to understand how decisions around labor, equipment, materials, production and scheduling impact the profitability and execution of a project.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop and review project estimates, bids and scopes of work
• Evaluate labor, equipment, material and production requirements when planning and estimating work
• Manage construction projects from planning through completion
• Coordinate crews, equipment, materials, subcontractors and project schedules
• Work closely with field personnel to keep projects moving and resolve issues as they arise
• Monitor project costs, schedules, progress and overall performance
• Manage change orders and communicate with customers, contractors, suppliers and other project stakeholders
• Help coordinate resources across multiple active projects
• Work closely with ownership on project and operational decisions
• Assume increasing responsibility for broader day to day operations as knowledge of the business grows

What They’re Looking For

• Construction Project Management and/or estimating experience within excavation, concrete, site development, heavy civil, underground utility, grading or a related self-performing construction environment
• Hands‑on estimating or bidding experience with the ability to understand how labor, equipment, materials and production impact project cost
• Strong understanding of construction from a field perspective
• Experience managing project schedules, costs, resources and field execution
• Ability to make practical decisions when project conditions or priorities change
• Strong communication skills with field personnel, customers, contractors and leadership
• Experience managing multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Municipal, infrastructure, transportation, commercial or DOT construction experience is a plus
• Union construction experience is a plus

The Right Person

The ideal candidate may currently be a Project Manager, Estimator, or someone whose responsibilities cross both areas. You do not need to already be running an entire construction operation.

What matters most is a strong understanding of construction, the ability to estimate and plan work responsibly, and the desire to take on more responsibility over time.

This opportunity could be particularly attractive to someone who has spent years successfully managing and estimating projects and is ready for the next step in their career. You'll have the opportunity to work directly with ownership, learn the broader operation of an established business, and gradually expand your responsibilities beyond traditional project management.