Senior Project Manager

Appleton Finn; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Bonus program

401(k) retirement plan

Company vehicle or vehicle allowance

Gas card

Job summary

Appleton Finn in Chicago seeks a Senior Project Manager to lead large-scale heavy civil infrastructure programs, driving delivery from preconstruction through completion.

You will manage budgets, schedules, and teams, foster client relationships, and partner with estimating and operations to maximize value and safety.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in heavy civil construction.
• Experience managing large-scale civil infrastructure projects.
• Strong background in project financials, budgeting, forecasting, and contract administration.
• Experience overseeing and developing project management and field personnel.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities effectively.
• Strong leadership, communication, and client relationship management skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the successful delivery of large-scale heavy civil construction projects from preconstruction through to completion.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, cost controls, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Lead and develop Project Managers, Project Engineers, Superintendents, and other project personnel.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, vendors, and key stakeholders.
• Work closely with estimating and operations teams during project planning, bidding, and execution.
• Monitor project progress, identifying potential risks and implementing solutions to maintain schedules and budgets.
• Ensure projects meet company safety standards, quality requirements, and contractual obligations.
• Provide regular project reporting, financial updates, and performance forecasts to senior leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and contribute to the continued development of the Chicago business.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Client relationships

Budgeting

Forecasting

Contract administration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline

Job description

Senior Project Manager – Heavy Civil Construction

Location: Chicago, IL

About the Opportunity

We are working with a leading national heavy civil contractor seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to join their growing Chicago team.

This is an excellent opportunity to join an established contractor with a strong reputation across the civil construction industry, delivering complex infrastructure projects throughout the Midwest. The successful candidate will take ownership of major projects, oversee project teams, and play a key role in the continued growth of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the successful delivery of large-scale heavy civil construction projects from preconstruction through to completion.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, cost controls, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Lead and develop Project Managers, Project Engineers, Superintendents, and other project personnel.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, vendors, and key stakeholders.
• Work closely with estimating and operations teams during project planning, bidding, and execution.
• Monitor project progress, identifying potential risks and implementing solutions to maintain schedules and budgets.
• Ensure projects meet company safety standards, quality requirements, and contractual obligations.
• Provide regular project reporting, financial updates, and performance forecasts to senior leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and contribute to the continued development of the Chicago business.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience within the heavy civil construction industry.
• Previous experience managing large-scale civil infrastructure projects.
• Strong background in project financials, budgeting, forecasting, and contract administration.
• Experience overseeing and developing project management and field personnel.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities effectively.
• Strong leadership, communication, and client relationship management skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline preferred.

Project Experience

Candidates with experience across some of the following areas would be particularly well suited:

• Heavy highway and roadway construction.
• Bridges, structures, and overpasses.
• Underground utilities and water infrastructure.
• Earthwork, grading, and site development.
• Transportation and municipal infrastructure.
• Competitive base salary, dependent on experience.
• Performance-based annual bonus.
• Comprehensive 401(k) retirement package.
• Company vehicle or vehicle allowance.
• Gas card and additional company benefits.
• Opportunity to work on some of the Midwest's largest and most complex civil infrastructure projects.
• Long-term career progression with an established national contractor.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join one of the country's leading heavy civil contractors, offering the resources and project portfolio of a national business alongside opportunities to take on significant responsibility within its Chicago operations.

The business has an established presence in the Midwest and continues to offer opportunities for experienced construction professionals to progress their careers while working on challenging, high-value infrastructure projects.