Excavation Construction Project Manager

Vaco by Highspring; Carmel (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle allowance or company vehicle

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring is partnering with a growing excavation and construction company in Carmel, Indiana to hire an experienced Excavation Construction Project Manager. This role owns project execution from kickoff through closeout and reports to the VP of Project Management, coordinating with Project Engineers and field leadership.

The ideal candidate will manage cost, schedule, scope, QA/QC, safety, and client relationships while driving on-time, on-budget delivery across Central Indiana

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management preferred; equivalent experience will also be considered.
• Solid project management fundamentals – civil/underground site work experience is preferred, but candidates with strong vertical/building PM backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• Track record of ownership and follow-through – suitable for experienced PMs and ambitious managers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust across owners, trade partners, and internal teams.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-accountability culture with direct, candid feedback.
• Strong organizational skills and general technology/computer proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Own cost, schedule, scope, and stakeholder management for assigned excavation site work projects.
• Lead project kickoff, buyout, subcontracts, and procurement.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, and progress billings.
• Monitor job cost, productivity, and cash flow, and implement recovery plans as needed.
• Coordinate QA/QC, safety, and closeout documentation.
• Drive project planning and execution to ensure on-time, on-budget completion.
• Conduct regular site visits to oversee project layout and the scheduling of materials, tools, equipment, and information.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships throughout the life of each project.

Skills

PM fundamentals

ownership & accountability

communication skills

site/underground construction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Job description

Vaco has partnered with a growing excavation and construction company in Carmel, IN to hire a new Project Manager.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our client is a fast-growing civil site work contractor based in Central Indiana, specializing in underground infrastructure – sanitary sewer, water, and site utility construction – for municipal, public, and private clients across the region and beyond. Now in its seventh year, the company has grown roughly 30% year-over-year, with revenue climbing from $32M in 2025 to a projected $40M in 2026 and a backlog already exceeding $40M for 2027. As a merit‑shop contractor that self‑performs approximately 95% of its work, the company has built a reputation for getting dirt moved and pipe laid the right way – and is now investing in the leadership team to match its growth trajectory.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client is seeking an experienced and driven Excavation Construction Project Manager to take ownership of project execution from kickoff through closeout. This is a highly visible role with direct P&L accountability, strong support from two Project Engineers, and a seat at the table as the company scales into a larger regional player. You’ll report to the VP of Project Management, in coordination with the COO, and work alongside a strong bench of superintendents, estimators, and field leadership. This is an ideal opportunity for a project manager who wants to own their projects, work in a fast‑paced and collaborative environment, and grow alongside a company with deep, realistic expansion plans.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Project Execution

• Own cost, schedule, scope, and stakeholder management for assigned excavation site work projects.
• Lead project kickoff, buyout, subcontracts, and procurement.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, and progress billings.
• Monitor job cost, productivity, and cash flow, and implement recovery plans as needed.
• Coordinate QA/QC, safety, and closeout documentation.
• Drive project planning and execution to ensure on‑time, on‑budget completion.
• Conduct regular site visits to oversee project layout and the scheduling of materials, tools, equipment, and information.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships throughout the life of each project.
• Serve as a key point of contact for owners, owner representatives, architects, engineers, trade contractors, and vendors.
• Participate in project meetings and trade‑related activities and events.

Coordination & Communication

• Coordinate closely with the General Superintendent and COO.
• Review project documents, plans, and specifications.
• Direct construction activities and resolve field challenges as they arise.
• Coordinate field installations and manage project closeouts.
• Partner with two Project Engineers who support cost coding, equipment tracking, and job cost matrices.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure all work conforms to quality standards and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Adhere to standard operating procedures and project cost, time, and quality standards.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We're looking for someone who takes ownership – someone who walks in ready to make a project their own, drive it forward, and be accountable for the results. The leadership team is hands‑on, direct, and values honest, two‑way communication over politics. Candidates should be energized by that kind of environment.

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management preferred; equivalent experience will also be considered.
• Solid project management fundamentals – civil/underground site work experience (sanitary, water, sewer, infrastructure) is preferred, but candidates with strong vertical/building construction PM backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.
• A track record of ownership and follow‑through – this role suits both experienced PMs and hungry, up‑and‑coming project managers ready for a bigger opportunity.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust across owners, trade partners, and internal teams.
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, high‑accountability culture with direct, candid feedback.
• Strong organizational skills and general technology/computer proficiency.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & LOGISTICS

Location – Based out of Central Indiana, with regular travel to active job sites.

Work Style – In‑office and on‑site – this role is not eligible for remote work.

Travel – Local day trips (2‑3 hours), no overnight travel required.

Project Footprint – Primarily Central Indiana/Greater Indianapolis, with projects in Northwest Indiana, Rochester, and Columbus, IN.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Vehicle allowance or company vehicle provided
• 401(k) with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (one week in Q1/Q2, one week in Q3/Q4)

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

Privacy Notice

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations; and
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).