Heavy Civil Project Executive

Kimmel & Associates; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 197,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company contributions

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Kimmel & Associates is seeking a seasoned Project Executive to lead a portfolio of heavy civil construction projects across California. This executive role requires guiding projects from preconstruction to final closeout while ensuring client satisfaction, safety, financial performance, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities include acting as the primary executive representative to owners, joint ventures, designers, and subcontractors, while driving business development, strategic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or equivalent.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in heavy civil construction.
• Strong leadership, communication, and client relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight for multiple heavy civil projects across California.
• Lead project delivery from preconstruction through closeout, ensuring safety, schedule, cost, and quality goals.
• Develop and execute pursuit strategies, proposals, and industry partnerships.
• Mentor and develop Project Managers and engineers; build high-performing teams.
• Drive safety culture and continuous improvement in project delivery.

Skills

Executive leadership

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management / Civil Engineering

Job description

About the Company

Our client is one of California's premier heavy civil construction contractors with a long-standing reputation for delivering complex transportation, infrastructure, and public works projects throughout the state. For generations, the company has successfully partnered with public agencies, private owners, and industry partners to build projects that strengthen communities and improve critical infrastructure.

Known for its commitment to safety, operational excellence, employee development, and innovation, the organization offers a collaborative culture where experienced leaders are empowered to make strategic decisions while mentoring the next generation of construction professionals.

About the Position

Our client is seeking an accomplished Project Executive to provide executive leadership for a portfolio of heavy civil construction projects located throughout California. This highly visible role is responsible for guiding projects from preconstruction through final completion while ensuring exceptional performance in client satisfaction, safety, financial results, schedule adherence, and operational execution.

The Project Executive serves as the primary executive representative for owners, joint venture partners, design professionals, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal leadership. In addition to overseeing project delivery, this individual will play a critical role in business development, strategic planning, team leadership, and organizational growth.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a seasoned construction executive who thrives on building relationships, developing high-performing teams, and successfully delivering large, technically complex infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight for multiple heavy civil construction projects throughout California
• Lead projects from contract award through construction, commissioning, and final closeout
• Establish operational strategies that support successful project execution and long-term client satisfaction
• Promote a culture centered on safety, integrity, collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence

Business Development & Client Relations

• Build and strengthen relationships with owners, public agencies, engineers, architects, and key industry partners
• Support pursuit strategies, proposal development, interviews, and preconstruction activities for future work
• Participate in networking, industry organizations, and community outreach initiatives
• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships and develop additional business opportunities

Project & Financial Leadership

• Oversee project schedules, budgets, forecasts, cash flow, profitability, and risk management across an assigned portfolio
• Monitor operational performance and implement strategies to maximize financial results
• Review project progress, production, contract status, cost projections, and resource utilization
• Collaborate with estimating, preconstruction, and operations teams to ensure successful project transitions and execution

Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, Project Engineers, and project support staff
• Build high-performing teams focused on collaboration, accountability, and professional growth
• Conduct performance evaluations, establish development goals, and support succession planning
• Promote diversity, inclusion, and workforce development throughout project teams and trade partner relationships

Security & Operational Excellence

• Champion a proactive safety culture across all assigned projects
• Partner with field leadership and safety professionals to ensure compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements
• Drive continuous improvement in project delivery, quality, scheduling, and operational processes
• Maintain the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and client service

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field preferred
• Equivalent combination of technical training and relevant construction leadership experience will be considered
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing heavy civil construction projects
• Proven leadership experience overseeing multiple large-scale infrastructure projects simultaneously
• Strong background in transportation, public works, highways, bridges, underground utilities, or other heavy civil construction projects
• Demonstrated success managing project financials, contract administration, scheduling, risk management, and client relationships
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and mentoring construction professionals
• Excellent communication, organizational, negotiation, and executive leadership skills
• Strategic thinker with exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Advanced management or executive leadership training is considered a plus

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive compensation package ($197,000-$235,000)
• Performance-based incentive opportunities
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contributions
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Professional development and executive leadership training
• Opportunity to oversee some of California's most impactful heavy civil infrastructure projects

Long-term career growth with one of the state's most respected heavy civil construction organizations