Vice President of Construction

Utilitra; Edwardsville (IL); On-site; USD 175,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid health insurance (medical

401k match

Paid holidays

Paid personal/sick leave

Paid vacation

Paid parental leave

Educational assistance

Discount programs

Job summary

Utilitra seeks a Vice President of Construction to provide strategic leadership across multiple business units, oversee field operations, safety, and project delivery, and drive long-term growth. This role reports to the Executive Vice President and manages budgets, bids, and client relationships.

The ideal candidate has a civil engineering or construction management background, 10–15+ years in construction with at least 5 in senior leadership, strong financial acumen, and a proven track record

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or Construction Management is required.
• Experience: 10–15+ years in construction with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
• Strong financial acumen and deep knowledge of the construction industry.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for multiple business units.
• Manage field operations, pre-construction planning, and project delivery from start to finish.
• Oversee budgets, bids, and contract negotiations; drive profitability and growth.
• Lead safety culture and ensure OSHA compliance and environmental permitting.
• Hire, mentor, and lead project managers and field staff.
• Build strong partnerships with clients and subcontractors.

Skills

Financial acumen

Construction knowledge

Crisis management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or Construction Management

Job description

Job Title

Vice President of Construction

Reports to

Executive Vice President

Compensation: $175,000 - 215,000

This pay range encompasses multiple levels of the role. Career level and compensation depends on applicants credentials.

At Utilitra, base salary is one component of a competitive compensation package for employees. Our pay ranges are broad to allow for movement within our organization and to accommodate different skill sets and levels of expertise. We take into consideration a variety of factors including, but not limited to, skills, abilities, experience, education, and credentials, when determining the base salary offered.

Company Benefits

• Company-paid health insurance (medical, vision, dental, short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance are provided)
• 100% 401k match (up to 5% of salary)
• Paid holidays
• Paid personal/sick leave
• Paid vacation
• Paid parental leave
• Educational assistance
• Various discount programs

Overview

Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for multiple business units at Utilitra, including Meter Services, Safety, Access & Environmental, Construction Services, and other assigned departments. Responsible for driving operational excellence, financial performance, safety compliance, and long-term growth across the organization.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Shape company operational goals, set budgets, and plan long-term growth with other executives.
• Operational Oversight: Manage multiple active projects, field operations, and pre-construction planning from start to finish.
• Financial Stewardship: Maximize project profitability, analyze financial reports, participate in WIP and forecast discussions.
• Team Development: Hire, mentor, and lead project managers, directors, and field staff. Drive and supports a culture that values people, families, communities, and our mission.
• Safety & Compliance: Enforce an uncompromising safety culture, maintaining 100% compliance with OSHA and legal standards. Ensure compliance with Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), environmental permitting, and strict right-of-way (ROW) legal constraints.
• Quality Assurance: Mitigate severe financial risk, minimize costly reworks, prevent utility strikes, and keep field teams moving efficiently.
• Change-Order & Claim Documentation: Oversee the formal, written communication strategy for contract variations. Ensure all field modifications, soil variances, or scope adjustments are meticulously documented and presented to all stakeholders to protect project margins.
• Stakeholder Relations: Build strong partnerships with clients, vendors, and key trade subcontractors.
• Business Development: Proactively build, maintain, and leverage relationships with key customer executives to secure long-term pipelines.
• P&L Ownership: Manage assigned division's profit and loss, defining operational budgets, cost control measures, and financial forecasting systems.
• Estimating: Prepare complex bids and secure contract terms.
• Contract Negotiation: Spearhead master service agreements (MSAs) and unit-price contract negotiations with public and private utility owners, contractors, engineering firms, and major subcontractors.
• Union Negotiations: Lead collective bargaining negotiations, manage union relationships, resolve labor disputes, and ensure compliance with labor agreements and applicable labor laws while supporting operational and financial objectives.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Education: A bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Experience: 10 to 15+ years of progressive experience in the construction industry, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Skills: Strong financial acumen, deep knowledge of construction industry, and crisis-management abilities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods.
• Occasional lifting of office supplies and materials up to 20 pounds.

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel to company sites, client locations, and industry conferences.

Utilitra is committed to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive work environment where diversity is expected and valued. We believe that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches our mission, vision, and core values and is a critical component of our company's success.

Utilitra is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We proudly extend consideration for employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, protected veteran status, or any other criteria protected by law.