Project Manager – Marine Construction (Ottawa, IL)

Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, INC.; Ottawa, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

401(k) with matching

Bonus eligibility and profit-sharing

Job summary

J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. is seeking a seasoned Marine Construction Project Manager to lead complex infrastructure projects on or over water.

You will direct full lifecycle delivery, integrate marine logistics, and drive safety and quality in challenging environments. The ideal candidate has 5+ years managing deep foundations, bridge and dock work, and experience with public infrastructure contracts and risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field required.
• 5+ years managing marine or heavy civil infrastructure projects.
• Experience with deep foundations, pile driving, and overwater work.
• Experience with public infrastructure contracts and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle management of marine and heavy civil projects overwater.
• Develop detailed work plans, cost structures, and schedules.
• Oversee deep foundation operations, pile driving, cofferdams, and sheet piling.
• Coordinate field leadership, engineering teams, subcontractors, and owners.
• Maintain financial control with forecasting, cost tracking, and billing.
• Review submittals, lift plans, and engineered marine work plans.
• Travel to active job sites up to 75%.

Skills

Marine project management

Leadership

Budget & forecasting

Public infrastructure contracts

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

J.F. Brennan Company is seeking a proven Marine Construction Project Manager to lead technically complex infrastructure projects performed on or overwater. This is not a commercial construction role. We are looking for an experienced professional with a strong background in deep foundations, bridge construction, barge terminals, dock structures, dam construction, and railroad infrastructure.

Our projects demand precision planning, marine logistics coordination, and hands-on leadership in challenging environments. The ideal candidate has successfully managed work from floating equipment, understands heavy civil risk management, and thrives in technically demanding marine settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle management of marine and heavy civil infrastructure projects executed on or overwater
• Develop and manage detailed project work plans, cost structures, baseline schedules, and recovery schedules
• Oversee deep foundation operations including pile driving (steel, concrete, timber), drilled shafts, cofferdams, and sheet piling systems
• Manage marine logistics including barges, cranes, floating equipment, specialty access systems, and sequencing of work over navigable waterways
• Direct coordination between field leadership, engineering teams, subcontractors, and owners
• Maintain strict financial control including forecasting, cost tracking, productivity analysis, change management, and monthly owner billing
• Prepare and negotiate change orders and contract modifications in accordance with public infrastructure contract requirements
• Review and approve submittals, shop drawings, lift plans, and engineered marine work plans
• Support pursuit efforts including bid reviews, quantity takeoffs, pricing strategy, and risk evaluation
• Interface with public agencies including DOTs, USACE, rail authorities, port authorities, and municipal owners
• Travel to active marine construction job sites up to 75% of the time as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical field
• Minimum 5+ years of project management experience in marine or heavy civil infrastructure (not commercial building construction)
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing projects involving:
  • Bridge substructures and superstructures
  • Dam rehabilitation
  • Dock and barge terminal construction
  • Railroad infrastructure and rail bridge work
  • Deep foundation systems and pile-supported structures
• Strong working knowledge of marine construction methods including work from floating platforms and temporary work in water
• Experience managing public infrastructure contracts with complex specifications and regulatory requirements
• Advanced understanding of scheduling (Primavera P6 or MS Project), cost control, forecasting, and contract management
• Proven ability to lead field teams in high-risk, technically demanding marine environments
• Strong communication skills with the confidence to interface with owners, engineers, inspectors, and executive leadership

Who is Brennan?

J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan) is a100-year-old,family-owned company that specializes in water-basedenvironmental remediation andmarine construction headquartered in La Crosse, WI that offers our employees growth, challenging work, empowerment, and meaningful work.Brennan is known for tackling complex maritime projects, providing unique solutions through teamwork and collaboration, and maintaining a family-orientated culture.

• Ourculture sets us apart . We strive to make our company the best possible place to work. We work hard to continue to build a culture in which every individual is important and the key to our success.
• Our focus onsafety and quality is unmatched in the industry, and our ability to innovate has enabled us to succeed.
• We are a family-focused company and are determined to provide a rewarding career that offers above-average compensation.
• We offer an industry-leading benefits package. We are proud to offer our employees and their families group health, dental and vision insurance plans, 401(K) program with generous matching, annual bonus eligibility and profit-sharing program.

J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Compensation

• The salary range varies based on experience and the level of project management responsibilities assigned. Candidates will be assessed during the interview process and aligned with a level that matches their skills and qualifications. Compensation typically ranges from $85,000 to $160,000 depending on experience, with additional opportunities for bonuses and benefits