Project Executive

Wharton-Smith Inc.; Sanford (AL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Wharton-Smith, Inc. is seeking a Project Executive – Water/Wastewater in Sanford, FL. This senior leader will oversee portfolios across projects, guide financial performance, and drive strategic growth while maintaining client relationships and regulatory coordination.

The role entails directing operational planning, staffing, risk management, and pursuit strategies, with a focus on safety, quality, and continuous improvement across regions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; construction management background recommended.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in construction operations and project management.
• Proven success leading operational teams and overseeing financial performance, strategic growth, and client development initiatives.
• Advanced understanding of construction operations, project delivery methods, project finance, risk management, and organizational leadership.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with strong presentation and negotiation abilities.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with clients, consultants, subcontractors, regulatory agencies, executive leadership, and project teams.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong, long-term professional and client relationships.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and driving operational performance.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex operational, contractual, and project-related challenges.
• Strong leadership presence with integrity and accountability.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, and developing operational leaders and project teams.
• Knowledge of construction processes, means/methods, and regulatory requirements for project locations.
• Experience with Design-Bid-Build, CMAR, and Design-Build delivery methods.
• Ability to interpret and analyze civil, mechanical, electrical, and structural drawings and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight and strategic leadership for multiple projects and regional initiatives.
• Lead operational planning, staffing strategies, financial performance management, and organizational development.
• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with clients, consultants, industry partners, and regulators.
• Support business development, market expansion, and project pursuit strategies.
• Oversee portfolio financial performance including profitability, forecasting, budgeting, and risk management.
• Establish and maintain standards, policies, and procedures across project teams.
• Support major contract negotiations, claims resolution, procurement strategies, and dispute management.
• Collaborate with Preconstruction and Collaborative Delivery teams for pursuits and proposals.
• Lead mentorship, leadership development, succession planning, and culture initiatives.
• Promote safety leadership, quality assurance, and continuous improvement across operations.
• Partner with executive leadership on strategic planning and long-term growth.

Skills

Leadership experience

Client development

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Negotiation abilities

Project management

Risk management

Mentoring/leadership development

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or related field

Job description

Wharton-Smith, Inc., a highly regarded General Contractor throughout the Southeast, is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Project Executive – Water/Wastewater. We are currently seeking someone who is willing to work in Sanford, FL.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Project Executive serves as a senior operational leader responsible for portfolio oversight, strategic growth, operational leadership, and organizational performance across multiple projects and business initiatives. This role provides executive-level leadership and direction to operational teams while driving business development, client relationships, financial performance, risk mitigation, and organizational excellence.

The Project Executive plays a critical role in long-term company growth, operational strategy, leadership development, and market expansion. This position serves as a primary executive liaison between company leadership, clients, consultants, regulatory agencies, and project teams while ensuring operational consistency and successful project delivery across the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide executive oversight and strategic leadership for multiple projects, operational teams, and regional business initiatives.
• Lead operational planning, staffing strategies, financial performance management, and organizational development efforts.
• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with clients, consultants, industry partners, and regulatory agencies.
• Support business development, market expansion, and project pursuit strategies, including presentations, negotiations, contract development, and participation in industry conferences, networking events, and professional functions.
• Oversee portfolio financial performance including profitability, forecasting, budgeting, and operational risk management.
• Establish and maintain operational standards, best practices, policies, and procedures across project teams.
• Provide executive support for major contract negotiations, claims resolution, procurement strategies, and dispute management.
• Collaborate with Preconstruction and Collaborative Delivery teams to support project pursuits, proposal development, client presentations, procurement strategies, and successful project acquisition efforts.
• Lead mentorship, leadership development, succession planning, and organizational culture initiatives.
• Promote operational excellence, safety leadership, quality assurance, and continuous improvement throughout all levels of operations.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic planning, growth initiatives, and long-term business objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressive leadership experience in construction operations and project management.
• Proven success leading operational teams and overseeing financial performance, strategic growth, and client development initiatives.
• Advanced understanding of construction operations, project delivery methods, project finance, risk management, and organizational leadership.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong presentation and negotiation abilities.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with clients, consultants, subcontractors, regulatory agencies, executive leadership, and project teams.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong, long-term professional and client relationships.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and driving operational performance.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines within a fast-paced construction environment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex operational, contractual, and project-related challenges.
• Strong leadership presence with a high level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Proven experience mentoring, coaching, and developing operational leaders and project teams.
• Advanced knowledge of construction processes, means and methods, and regulatory requirements applicable to project locations.
• Extensive experience with multiple construction delivery methods, including:
  • Design-Bid-Build
  • Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
  • Design-Build
• Ability to interpret and analyze civil, mechanical, electrical, and structural drawings, technical specifications, and contract documents.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate project and operational risks and implement effective solutions.
• Client-focused mindset with a commitment to exceptional service and successful project delivery.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move office products and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to work extended hours, evenings, and weekends as required by project schedules and operational demands.
• Ability to travel regularly to project sites and regional offices as needed to support project operations and business objectives.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability

Wharton-Smith provides equal opportunity to qualified disabled veterans, Pre-JVA special disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities to online application systems by making reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access for submitting to job openings. (i.e., wheelchair accessibility, website accessibility, etc).

Our recruiting process is centralized and managed exclusively by the HR Department. We do not pay agency fees for unsolicited resumes. An unsolicited resume is defined as any resume submitted by a recruiter who has not been pre-approved by HR, has not signed our recruiting agreement, and has not been engaged by HR to fill a specific position.