SUE Project Manager

McKim & Creed, Inc.; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership (ESOP)

Competitive pay

Growth opportunities & training

Professional development

Work that makes a difference

Collaborative, supportive team

Job summary

McKim & Creed, Inc. is seeking a SUE Project Manager to lead Sub-Surface Utility Engineering projects, overseeing planning, scheduling, budgets, and client interactions. The role requires on-site work and travel to multiple project locations.

Ideal candidates will have 5+ years of SUE project management experience, strong communication, and the ability to juggle multiple projects while maintaining high-quality outcomes.

Qualifications

• Requires 5 years' experience in Sub‑Surface Utility Engineering project management.
• Proven track record of project performance.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously and work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage the project management of Sub‑Surface Utility Engineering projects from inception to completion.
• Act as an expert in SUE, providing design, technical, and project management services.
• Develop scope, schedule, and fee for projects; manage budget and resources.
• Coordinate with municipalities to obtain permits and certifications.
• Lead and mentor field crews; supervise scheduling and field activities.
• Maintain client relationships and serve as primary client contact on projects.

Skills

People skills

Communication

Teamwork

Organization

Decision making

Persuasion

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, survey, or related

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

At McKim & Creed, we are an employee-owned firm with more than 1000 employees in offices throughout the southeast and east United States. Our culture is centered around "People Helping People" and guided by our core values: (1) respect for people, (2) customer satisfaction, (3) continuous improvement, (4) safety, and (5) ownership. These values drive our mission to deliver exceptional engineering and geomatics solutions. We are a leading top 150 ENR‑ranked firm seeking highly motivated employees who are inspired to elevate and grow their careers to the next level.

Job Summary:

The SUE Project Manager is responsible for the project management and design of Sub‑Surface Utility Engineering projects, including all aspects of project planning and ensuring that each project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The role involves frequent client meetings, developing professional relationships, communicating with project team members, and monitoring the project budget. The SUE Project Manager works on‑site and travels to various project locations.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the project management of Sub‑Surface Utility Engineering projects.
• Acts as an expert in the field and provides technical, design and project management services in support of SUE.
• Develops the scope of work, schedule, and fee for projects.
• Balances workload and resources.
• Supports business development by sourcing new business opportunities and leads the preparation of proposals.
• Ensures that all aspects of the project are followed through to completion.
• Coordinates with state and local municipalities to obtain proper certifications and permits for SUE work in their jurisdictions.
• Trains and supervises SUE crews in vacuum excavation (test holes).
• Coordinates with SUE Project Coordinators and the SUE Operations Manager on weekly scheduling.
• Oversees and monitors SUE activities to ensure assignments meet performance goals.
• Keeps accurate progress notes and photo documentation.
• Resolves any discrepancies with subcontractors or vendors.
• Meets with clients, builds client relationships, and serves as key contact with clients.
• Communicates with the project team and monitors the project budget.
• Conducts critical negotiations and handles controversial issues as they arise.
• Exercises skill in persuading and negotiating and demonstrates good judgment in handling and solving complex technical and people assignments.
• Demonstrates knowledge of standard practices for utility locating/engineering.
• Coaches and mentors junior staff in the theory of utility designating and practical application of designating methods.
• Carries out complex or novel assignments requiring the development and implementation of new or improved techniques or procedures.
• Remains active in professional organizations, professional development, and maintains a network of relationships within the field.
• May lead and supervise a project team on projects of all sizes and levels of complexity.
• Works on-site daily, with flexibility to travel to various project locations.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, survey, or related is preferred.

Required & Preferred Experience:

• Requires 5 years' experience in Sub‑Surface Utility Engineering project management.
• Proven track record of project performance required.
• Requires excellent people skills and communication skills, both written and oral.
• Requires a good business sense and high levels of persuasiveness and social skills when dealing with clients.
• Successful candidates are demonstrated to be more results‑oriented, decisive, direct, and aggressive than process‑oriented and cautious.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook required.
• The ability to balance multiple work assignments on multiple projects at the same time is required.
• The ability to work alone but also effectively as part of a team is required.
• Requires strong organizational and technical skills.
• The ability to complete work consistently, with moderate flexibility to accommodate varying demands is required.
• Experience in acquiring permits from review agencies on a local, state, and federal level, including direct coordination and communication required.
• Candidates are required to have a valid driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle and criminal record as determined by McKim & Creed.
• Candidates are required to pass a pre‑employment drug screening.

Benefits:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): All employees are owners & benefit from profits earned.
• Competitive pay and paid holidays, bereavement, and parental, medical, and military leave.
• Multiple office locations to work from: Stick close to home or travel for a change of scenery.
• Growth opportunities & training: Grow confidently in your career with our mentoring & training options.
• Professional development: Tuition reimbursement, early career professional program, online courses & more.
• Work that makes a difference: See the direct impact your work has on our communities.
• Collaborative, supportive team: People to help you solve problems, cheer successes & encourage you along the way.

McKim & Creed is an Equal Opportunity and Affymative Action Employer, and VEVRAA Federal Contractor and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability status and maintains a Drug Free Workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.