Senior Project Manager

Sterling Engineering; Commerce City (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering seeks a Project Manager to lead complex utility and power projects from conception to completion. The role requires balancing strategic contract negotiations with hands-on field management in office and active outdoor sites.

The ideal candidate has 5–10 years in construction project management, strong budgeting skills, and experience with Electric Power Distribution, Transmission, and Substation projects. Location flexibility includes WI and CO job sites.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of project management experience in construction, focused on Electric Power Distribution, Transmission, and Substation projects.
• Strong budgeting capabilities.
• Experience with union labor relations.

Responsibilities

• Pursue and secure new business through client relationships and proposals.
• Estimate costs, establish budgets, draft schedules, and assist in contract negotiations.
• Lead job site meetings, review progress, and supervise safety.
• Coordinate design with architects/engineers and approve shop drawings.
• Plan manpower, tools, equipment, and material needs; manage equipment maintenance.

Skills

Project management

Electrical power distribution

Budgeting

Labor relations

Leadership

Field supervision

Education

Four-year technical education in engineering or construction management or apprenticeship

Job description

Location: DeForest, WI or Commerce City, CO

Compensation: $140,000 - $170,000

Must have Skill Set: 5–10 years of construction project management experience specifically within Electric Power Distribution, Transmission, and Substation projects, alongside strong budgeting capabilities and union labor relations experience.

Overview: The Project Manager is a key leadership role responsible for driving organizational growth by identifying and acquiring new business opportunities through exceptional client relationship development. This position plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the execution of complex utility and power projects from conception to completion. The ideal candidate will balance high-level strategic tasks, such as contract negotiations and budget tracking, with hands-on field operations, ensuring all projects meet strict cost, quality, equipment utilization, and safety objectives. Operating in both a standard office environment and on active outdoor construction sites, this manager serves as the primary connection point between design teams, field crews, and clients.

Job Duties:

• Business Development & Client Relations: Actively pursue and secure new business by fostering strong client relationships, delivering presentations to prospective clients, and masterfully analyzing project plans, specifications, and contracts. Keep customers fully informed of progress, negotiate fee changes, and secure complete satisfaction upon project handover.
• Financial & Contract Administration: Estimate project costs, establish budgets, draft schedules, and assist in contract negotiations. Manage day-to-day administrative contract details, including change orders, rental equipment, timesheet coding, billing, expenses, and collections.
• Project Oversight & Safety: Monitor schedule adherence, safety compliance, and budget tracking by leading job site meetings, reviewing progress reports, conducting performance evaluations, and holding safety meetings.
• Design Coordination: Collaborate closely with architects and engineers to resolve design-related construction challenges and manage the timely approval of shop drawings.
• Resource & Equipment Logistics: Plan and coordinate manpower, tools, equipment, and material supply needs. Manage the purchase of standardized materials, oversee equipment maintenance, and ensure all tools and machinery are properly repaired post-job.
• Labor Relations & Field Supervision: Supervise field crews through foremen. Maintain cooperative union relationships with field employees and local business managers, participating in joint labor-management committees and apprenticeship subcommittees.
• Project Closeout: Manage the comprehensive job closeout process, resolving punch list items, recording "as-built" drawings, and distributing all operating and maintenance manuals to the client.
• Corporate Contribution: Build customer goodwill by participating in company-supported events, attending annual divisional meetings, and serving on corporate or divisional committees as requested.

Qualifications:

• 5 to 10 years of prior project management experience within the construction industry, with a direct focus on Electric Power Distribution, Transmission, and Substation projects.
• Education: Minimum of a four-year technical education in an engineering field, construction management coursework, or completion of a formal apprenticeship in a respective discipline.
• Leadership Capabilities: Demonstrated experience supervising field crews through foremen and maintaining labor agreement compliance.
• Financial Acumen: Proven ability to track, manage, and maintain a wide range of complex project budgets.
• Core Skills: Excellent analytical, problem-solving, interpersonal, and verbal/written communication skills.
• Physical & Environmental Requirements: Ability to work in a standard office environment involving regular sitting, standing, computer use, repetitive typing, and occasional light lifting.
• Ability to work on outdoor field construction sites in all weather conditions to survey sites and resolve coordination issues with the trades.
• Physical ability to climb up and down ladders and steps on active jobsites, with or without reasonable accommodation

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.