Utilities Manager-UM0926

Sanders Brothers Construction Co. Inc.; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Dental

Vacation & Holiday Pay

401K

Profit Sharing and Bonuses

Job summary

Sanders Brothers Construction Company seeks an Utilities Area Manager to lead the Utilities Department, overseeing water, sewer, and storm drain operations. You will drive safety, quality, staffing, equipment utilization, and financial results while aligning with company objectives and growth.

You will manage a team across levels, set performance standards, and collaborate with project management, estimating, and safety to meet budgets and schedules.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive utility construction experience in leadership roles.
• Proven success leading departments or multi-project operations.
• Strong understanding of utility construction methods, planning, cost control.
• Ability to analyze data and drive performance improvements.
• Leadership presence; able to influence and develop teams.
• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to read and implement drawings, specs, and schedules.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable record.
• Must meet company background checks and drug testing.
• May require DOT medical certification.
• Flexible to work nights/weekends as needed.
• Ability to work in varying conditions.
• Tolerance for dust, noise, rain, extreme temps.
• Ability to stand, walk, crawl, kneel, and lift tasks.
• Can exert up to 100 lbs occasionally and 40 lbs regularly.
• Experience managing a construction department or business unit.
• Strong financial and operational acumen.
• Strategic planning and forecasting capabilities.
• Ability to lead change and scale operations.
• Safety-first and quality-driven mindset.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level leadership and direction for all Utilities Department operations.
• Maintain accountability for safety, quality, production, utilization, and profitability.
• Lead and develop the Utilities Management team across all levels.
• Establish expectations, standards, and performance metrics.
• Develop and execute departmental plans aligned with revenue and growth.
• Forecast manpower, equipment, and workload for projects.
• Ensure projects meet budgets, schedules, and contracts.
• Review performance data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Drive continuous improvement for efficiency, cost, quality and safety.
• Identify operational challenges and implement corrective strategies.
• Partner with PMs and Estimators during bid reviews to validate scope.
• Support long-range planning and backlog management.
• Ensure compliance with standards, policies, and procedures.
• Champion safety, accountability, professionalism and ownership.
• Coordinate resources with Equipment, Trucking, Survey and Safety.
• Represent Utilities Department in executive and planning meetings.
• Maintain relationships with inspectors, customers, engineers, stakeholders.
• Lead by example aligned with company values.
• Perform other duties consistent with department management.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision-making

Construction drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

High school diploma required

Job description

Utilities Manager-UM0926

Sanders Brothers Construction Company is seeking a Utilities Area Manager to join our growing team. The Utilities Area Manager is responsible for the overall performance, leadership, and strategic direction of the Utilities Department involving water, sewer, and storm drain operations.

Role and Responsibilities

This role has full accountability for safety, quality, productivity, staffing, equipment utilization, and financial results of utilities operations. The Utilities Area Manager leads multiple levels of utilities management and serves as the primary point of ownership for the department's success. This position partners closely with executive leadership, project management, estimating, equipment, and safety to ensure utilities operations support company objectives and long-term growth.

• Provide executive-level leadership and direction for all Utilities Department operations.


• Maintain full accountability for departmental performance including safety, quality, production, utilization, and profitability.


• Lead, develop, and hold accountable the Utilities Management team across all levels.


• Establish clear expectations, standards, and performance metrics for utilities operations.


• Develop and execute departmental plans aligned with company revenue, backlog, and growth objectives.


• Forecast manpower, equipment, and workload requirements to support current and future projects.


• Ensure utilities projects are executed in alignment with approved budgets, schedules, and contractual requirements.


• Review operational and financial performance data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, cost control, quality, and safety.


• Proactively identify operational challenges and implement corrective strategies before issues impact results.


• Partner with Project Managers and Estimators during bid reviews to validate scope, production assumptions, and execution strategies.


• Support long-range planning and backlog management for the Utilities Department.


• Ensure consistent application of company standards, policies, and procedures across all utilities operations.


• Champion a culture of safety, accountability, professionalism, and ownership throughout the department.


• Ensure compliance with all safe digging practices, trench safety standards, and regulatory requirements.


• Oversee quality control processes to ensure work is delivered at the highest standard and free from error.


• Coordinate resources and priorities with internal departments including Equipment, Trucking, Survey, Concrete, Asphalt, and Safety.


• Represent the Utilities Department in executive, operational, and strategic planning meetings.


• Maintain professional relationships with inspectors, customers, engineers, and internal stakeholders.


• Serve as a leader and role model aligned with Sanders Brothers Construction Company's core values.


• Perform any other duties consistent with the responsibilities of a department-level management role.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive utility construction experience, including senior field or operations management roles.


• Demonstrated success leading departments, business units, or multi-project operations.


• Strong understanding of utility construction means and methods, production planning, cost control, and equipment utilization regarding installation of water, sewer and storm drain on our sites.


• Proven ability to analyze operational and financial data and drive performance improvements.


• Demonstrated leadership presence with the ability to influence, develop, and hold teams accountable.


• High school diploma required; bachelor's degree preferred.


• Strong communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.


• Ability to read, understand, and implement construction drawings, specifications, and schedules.


• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record per SBCC policy.


• Must meet SBCC employment standards with regards to background checks and drug testing.


• Based on duties, may be required to obtain DOT medical certification.


• Flexible availability to meet business and project demands, including nights and weekends as required.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Ability to work in varying jobsite and environmental conditions.


• Ability to tolerate exposure to dust, dirt, loud noise, rain, and extreme temperatures.


• Ability to stand, walk, crawl, kneel, and perform physical tasks for extended periods as required.


• Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 40 pounds of force regularly.

Preferred Skills

• Experience managing a construction department or business unit


• Strong financial and operational acumen


• Strategic planning and forecasting capabilities


• Proven ability to lead change and scale operations


• Strong alignment with safety-first and quality-driven cultures

Benefits: Sanders Brothers Construction provides employees with outstanding benefits which include: Medical, Vision, Dental, Vacation & Holiday Pay, 401K, and potential financial incentives through Profit Sharing and Bonuses.

About Us

Sanders Brothers Construction is a fully bonded, license and insured general contractor of street & road construction, and asphalt manufacturing. Founded in the early 60's, we continue to pride our company on the principles that laid the initial foundation for success: hard work, customer satisfaction and quality products and service.

Sanders Brothers Construction, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. "EEO is the Law" www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm