Project Executive (Civil)

Clark Construction Group; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Clark Construction Group seeks a Project Executive to lead and coordinate the management of one to several projects, with a primary focus on expanding the substation business. You will create project plans, direct cross-functional teams, and communicate with clients and stakeholders to ensure milestones are met.

This active, hands-on role oversees risk, profitability, governance, and executive relationships while mentoring senior staff and driving strategic initiatives across sites.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or related field.
• 15+ years of project management experience with $100M+ complex, self-perform, civil or substation projects.
• Hands-on GIS experience with GIS projects rated ≥ 34.5 kV; built environment experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic initiatives to expand Clark Civil’s substation business.
• Oversee portfolio performance, enterprise risk mitigation, contractual compliance, and profitability.
• Direct pursuit strategies, lead high-stakes proposal presentations, and cultivate executive relationships with Owners and partners.
• Identify strategic market trends, capital project pipelines, and growth opportunities.
• Assemble, mentor, and deploy project management teams to execute delivery.
• Champion a strong culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence across all sites.
• Oversee major contract negotiations and high-level schedule/financial reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Risk management

Financial acumen

Education

Engineering degree or related field

Tools

Primavera P6

SAP

Procore

MS Excel

Job description

As Project Executive, you will be the driving force of a leadership team dedicated to providing world-class service to our clients by leading, directing, and coordinating the management of one to several projects. You will be a champion of project goals and objectives to the entire team, with a primary focus on helping expand and grow our substation business.

In this role, you will create a project plan outlining the tasks, timelines, and resources required to achieve key milestones. Working alongside the project team, you will communicate with the client and stakeholders, manage risk, and monitor progress against the schedule. Successful candidates will demonstrate passion and dedication to getting the job done.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic initiatives and capture strategies to expand Clark Civil’s substation business line and market share.
• Oversee total project portfolio performance, ensuring enterprise level risk mitigation, contractual compliance, and profitability.
• In coordination with the Substation business unit leader, direct pursuit strategies, lead high stakes proposal presentations, and cultivate executive relationships with Owners, key trade partners, and engineering firms.
• Identify strategic market trends, capital project pipelines, and prospective business growth opportunities.
• Assemble, mentor, and deploy project management teams to execute project delivery.
• Champion a strong culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence across all project operations.
• Oversee major prime contract negotiations, master service agreements, high-level change orders, and macro-level schedule/financial reporting.
• Establish operational governance, high-level milestone monitoring, and risk response strategies across all active project sites.
• Build, train, and develop executive level project management leaders and foster succession planning.
• Serve as the primary executive contact for client, owner, engineering, and partner executives.
• Lead executive level job status reviews, financial forecasting, long range resource planning, and high level project closeout strategies.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: Undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, a related discipline, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Experience: Minimum of 15+ years of project management experience, directly overseeing, directing, and executing $100M+ complex, self-perform, civil or substation construction projects.
• Technical Substation Expertise: Specific, hands-on experience with high voltage Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) projects rated >= 34.5 kV. Work must have been physically constructed (built environment experience required).
• Industry Profile: Background as a Prime Contractor is preferred, followed by Subcontractor, Design/Engineering, Manufacturer, or Owner/Utility experience.
• Leadership: 7+ years leading, developing, and motivating teams on substation projects.
• Project Management: Track record of managing project departments successfully from start to finish.
• Business Acumen: Deep understanding of the strategic, operational, and financial components of a construction project.
• Decision-Making: Demonstrated ability to make timely and effective decisions.
• Relationship Building: Skilled at developing and negotiating relationships with owners and trade contractors.
• Soft Skills: Strong work ethic, leadership ability, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment.
• Core Values Alignment: Alignment to Clark Standards of Excellence (self-motivated, results-oriented, adaptable, team player, accountable, ethical, innovative, resilient, relationship builder, team developer, sets direction, and executes).

Preferred Qualifications

• Delivery Methods: Direct experience with Design/Build or EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) project delivery models.
• Software/Systems: Proficiency with Primavera P6, SAP (or similar financial systems), Procore, and Microsoft Excel.
• Certifications: DBIA and LEED Accreditation.

Clark Civil

Clark Civil performs heavy/civil work including airport, heavy rail, light rail, bridges, interstate road work, electrical substations, water and wastewater treatment, and facilities projects ranging from $10 million to $500 million. Clark Civil delivers projects through a variety of contracting methods, including design/build, construction manager at-risk, and general contracting. With a staff of over 20 percent professional engineers, Clark Civil's projects are led by an experienced heavy/civil technical staff and supported by a multidisciplinary, in-house team. Clark Civil is a division of Clark Construction Group, LLC

The Physical Side of the Role

This is an active, hands‑on role. You can expect to be on your feet frequently, navigating active job sites with uneven terrain, stairs, ladders, and hoists. The work is physically demanding and requires a full range of motion, including bending, kneeling, and reaching. You’ll need to be comfortable frequently lifting and carrying materials up to 25 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds. This role requires the ability to communicate effectively, as well as visual acuity for reading plans and inspecting work. The role does include desk time in the office that may require prolonged periods of sitting for tasks like computer work, document review, and meetings.

Your Work Environment

You’ll spend a significant amount of your time on active construction sites, which means being adaptable to all kinds of weather and moderate to loud noise levels, and comfortable in elevated or confined work areas with moving mechanical equipment and with the fast‑paced nature of a project in progress. You will also spend time in a typical office setting with moderate noise levels. Your safety is our top priority, and you'll be expected to follow Clark Construction's safety policies and procedures, and all applicable laws, at all locations.

Our High-Performing Culture

This is a demanding, high-performance environment. We are looking for candidates who are energized by challenge, thrive under pressure, and are prepared to do what it takes to achieve exceptional results. Success in this role requires significant commitment, including flexibility to work extended hours, especially during critical project phases or client deadlines. Beyond regular working hours, there will be occasions where business needs require your attention, particularly for time-sensitive matters or emergencies. You are expected to monitor and respond to communications (phone calls, emails, text messages) as required to address these situations effectively. Your ability to manage these expectations and be responsive when critical issues arise is key to your success in this role and our collective success as a team.

A Drug Free Workplace

Clark promotes a drug free workplace. A pre-employment drug “fitness for duty” screening is required, and the company conducts random quarterly drug “fitness for duty” tests.

Compensation & Benefits

Clark offers a total compensation package that includes base salary, bonus potential, and a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision benefits, paid time off, retirement/401k, and Company Contribution plan. Additional benefits include life insurance, commuter benefit, short & long term disability, fitness reimbursement, FSA, tuition reimbursement, back-up daycare, tutoring & family support benefits, EAP/Work-Life assistance, and a holiday contribution program. For this role the base salary range is $83,200-260,000. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. Base pay is one part of the Total Compensation Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work.

https://www.clarkconstruction.com/careers/clark-experience