Program Manager – Hydro Excavation & Utility Locating

Software Placement Group, SPG; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Software Placement Group (SPG) seeks a Program Manager to lead a hydro excavation and utility locating division in Southern California. The role blends operations management, project management, business development, estimating, and financial performance to grow underground services capabilities.

The successful candidate will oversee field crews, develop annual budgets, manage multiple projects, ensure safety, and expand client relationships with utilities and engineering firms across the region.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in heavy civil construction, underground utilities, hydro excavation, utility locating, or related infrastructure services.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the hydro excavation and utility locating division, managing multiple hydrovac trucks, locating crews, operators, and field supervisors.
• Coordinate manpower, equipment, trucks, and project schedules across multiple active jobs, developing daily and weekly schedules to maximize productivity and fleet utilization.
• Monitor project execution to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget, and support emergency/priority utility response operations.
• Develop and implement operating procedures, identify bottlenecks, and drive continuous improvement in efficiency and profitability.
• Oversee multiple projects and service contracts, developing annual budgets, revenue forecasts, and operating plans.
• Monitor job costs, labor productivity, equipment utilization, revenue, margins, and profitability, taking corrective action when needed.
• Establish and track operational KPIs for crews, equipment, and projects; support estimating, pricing, proposals, and contract negotiations.
• Maintain accurate forecasting for staffing, fleet requirements, and future workload.
• Expand the division's customer base and revenue by developing relationships with utility companies, municipalities, public agencies, heavy civil and underground utility contractors, general engineering contractors, and engineering/consulting firms.
• Identify new hydro excavation, utility locating, and underground support opportunities; develop proposals and pricing for new and existing clients.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for key customers and contracts, resolving field and operational issues and managing customer expectations.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and retain field and operations personnel, including Project Managers, Supervisors, Hydrovac Operators, and Utility Locators.
• Establish clear expectations for safety, productivity, customer service, and accountability, and develop future supervisors and leaders as the division grows.
• Maintain a strong safety and compliance culture, ensuring field teams maintain required safety documentation, environmental records, project reporting, incident documentation, and quality standards.

Skills

Leadership

Hydro excavation

Operations management

Project management

Estimating

Budgeting

Safety compliance

Customer relationships

Job description

Location: Riverside, CA (Southern California) | Schedule: Full-time, on-site/field-based with regional travel

Overview

An established provider of underground utility and heavy civil construction services is seeking a Program Manager to lead, build, and grow a specialized hydro excavation and utility locating division across Southern California. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role blending operations management, project management, business development, estimating, and financial performance, and it plays a key part in expanding the company's underground services capabilities and client relationships.

What you'll do

• Lead day-to-day operations of the hydro excavation and utility locating division, managing multiple hydrovac trucks, locating crews, operators, and field supervisors.
• Coordinate manpower, equipment, trucks, and project schedules across multiple active jobs, developing daily and weekly schedules to maximize productivity and fleet utilization.
• Monitor project execution to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget, and support emergency/priority utility response operations.
• Develop and implement operating procedures, identify bottlenecks, and drive continuous improvement in efficiency and profitability.
• Oversee multiple projects and service contracts, developing annual budgets, revenue forecasts, and operating plans.
• Monitor job costs, labor productivity, equipment utilization, revenue, margins, and profitability, taking corrective action when needed.
• Establish and track operational KPIs for crews, equipment, and projects; support estimating, pricing, proposals, and contract negotiations.
• Maintain accurate forecasting for staffing, fleet requirements, and future workload.
• Expand the division's customer base and revenue by developing relationships with utility companies, municipalities, public agencies, heavy civil and underground utility contractors, general engineering contractors, and engineering/consulting firms.
• Identify new hydro excavation, utility locating, and underground support opportunities; develop proposals and pricing for new and existing clients.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for key customers and contracts, resolving field and operational issues and managing customer expectations.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and retain field and operations personnel, including Project Managers, Supervisors, Hydrovac Operators, and Utility Locators.
• Establish clear expectations for safety, productivity, customer service, and accountability, and develop future supervisors and leaders as the division grows.
• Maintain a strong safety and compliance culture, ensuring field teams maintain required safety documentation, environmental records, project reporting, incident documentation, and quality standards.

Required qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in heavy civil construction, underground utilities, hydro excavation, utility locating, or related infrastructure services.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple field crews and projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of underground utility construction and excavation operations.
• Experience managing project schedules, budgets, job costs, and financial performance.
• Strong knowledge of field production, equipment utilization, and workforce planning.
• Proven ability to lead and develop field and operations personnel.
• Strong customer relationship and communication skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced field-services environment.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements, excavation and trenching safety, Underground Service Alert / 811 / DigAlert processes, utility owner requirements, environmental compliance, traffic control requirements, public works requirements, incident reporting, and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA).

Preferred qualifications

• Direct management experience in hydro excavation / hydrovac operations.
• Utility locating experience.
• Underground utility construction experience.
• Experience working with major utility owners.
• Public utility contract experience.
• Southern California utility market experience.
• Heavy civil construction background.
• Emergency response experience.
• Fleet management experience.
• Estimating and proposal development experience.
• Business development experience.
• Experience building or expanding a construction or utility services division.

Why this role

This is an opportunity to build and grow an entire business unit rather than simply manage existing operations, with direct influence over people, fleet, customers, estimating, revenue, profitability, and strategic growth throughout Southern California.