Senior Heavy Civil Project Manager (Transportation)

Blue Signal LLC.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Relocation assistance

Job summary

A leading executive search firm is seeking a Senior Heavy Civil Project Manager to lead multi-billion-dollar transportation projects in Chicago. You will oversee the full project lifecycle while ensuring safety and compliance with regulations. This hybrid role offers competitive compensation, benefits, and the opportunity to impact millions of daily commuters. Ideal candidates have extensive experience and a background in Civil Engineering.

Qualifications

• 15+ years managing heavy civil or transportation construction projects totaling $500 M+ in value.
• Strong working knowledge of IDOT, CDOT, FRA, and FHWA standards.
• Proficiency with schedule and cost software.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full project life cycle for complex projects.
• Act as the owner’s representative aligning teams.
• Champion a culture of zero-incident safety.

Skills

Management of heavy civil projects

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

Senior Heavy Civil Project Manager (Transportation)

Location: Hybrid in Chicago, IL

Shape Chicago’s next generation of transit.

Our client is embarking on a multi-billion-dollar program to modernize the region’s roads, bridges, rail corridors, and utilities. As the Senior Heavy Civil Project Manager you will steer marquee transportation projects that will redefine mobility across the Midwest. You will join the first wave of a 100-person build-out, giving you a front-row seat – and a leading voice – in one of the nation’s largest infrastructure initiatives.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the full project life cycle for complex roadway, bridge, and rail works, guiding scope, schedule, budget, and quality from concept through close-out.
• Act as the owner’s representative, aligning design teams, contractors, utility agencies, and public stakeholders to common goals and milestone dates.
• Develop and maintain the integrated master schedule in Primavera P6 (or similar), tracking earned value and forecasting risk/contingency needs.
• Negotiate, administer, and track construction and vendor contracts, including change orders and claims resolution.
• Champion a culture of zero-incident safety and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Mentor field engineers and superintendents, fostering a high-performance, collaborative environment.
• Report KPIs to executive leadership and external agencies, providing clear metrics on progress, spend, and quality.
• Contribute insights to long-range capital plans and future phases of the transportation program.

What You Bring

• 15+ years managing heavy civil or transportation construction projects totaling $500 M+ in value.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Strong working knowledge of IDOT, CDOT, FRA, and FHWA standards as well as Chicago-area permitting processes.
• Proficiency with schedule and cost software (Primavera P6, MS Project, or comparable) and collaborative BIM/CDE platforms.
• Proven success leading multidisciplinary teams in congested urban environments.
• PE, PMP, CCM, or equivalent credential preferred.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder-management skills.

Why Join

• Impact at scale – your projects will touch millions of daily commuters.
• Long runway – initial engagement is 2 years with extensions up to 5 years.
• Comprehensive package – competitive salary plus robust benefits and relocation assistance if required.
• Hybrid flexibility – typical rhythm is 3 days on-site, 2 days office/home once projects stabilize.
• Career growth – help shape PMO standards for a growing capital program and mentor the next generation of civil leaders.

About Blue Signal:

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4yS