Workforce Planning and Development Manager

ColonialWebb Contractors Company; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading specialty contractor in Richmond, VA, seeks a Workforce Planning and Development Manager to oversee workforce optimization for large-scale construction operations. The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience as a Superintendent, with strengths in Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing construction. Responsibilities include evaluating skilled trades personnel, managing workforce planning, and supporting safety and productivity initiatives. This role is essential for ensuring the assignment of qualified craft professionals across multiple job sites.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience as a Superintendent on large, complex construction projects.
• Strong background in Mechanical, Electrical, and/or Plumbing construction.
• Experience managing and supporting large craft workforces.
• Data center construction experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to assess craft skill levels, leadership potential, and job readiness.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate skilled trades personnel through interviews and observations.
• Assign craft professionals to projects based on skill level and experience.
• Support workforce planning for current and upcoming construction projects.
• Collaborate with Superintendents and HR to address staffing needs.
• Provide insights on talent utilization and succession planning.

Skills

Superintendent experience

Mechanical construction

Electrical construction

Plumbing construction

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Decision-making abilities

Commitment to safety

Job description

Workforce Planning and Development Manager

Location: Richmond, VA
Reports To: Director of Operations, Construction

Position Overview

ColonialWebb is seeking an experienced Field Talent Superintendent to support our large-scale construction operations by evaluating, deploying, and optimizing skilled trades talent across multiple job sites. This role is critical to ensuring the right craft professionals are assigned to the right projects at the right time—supporting safety, productivity, quality, and schedule performance across our Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing construction teams.

Based in Richmond, VA, this position works closely with Operations leadership, project teams, and field supervision to manage a large workforce of approximately 800 skilled craft professionals. The ideal candidate brings deep superintendent experience on complex projects, strong judgment in talent evaluation, and a commitment to developing and maintaining a high-performing field workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate skilled trades personnel through interviews, field observations, and performance history to determine appropriate job placement.
• Assign craft professionals to projects based on skill level, experience, certifications, project needs, and manpower plans.
• Partner with the Director of Operations and project leadership to support workforce planning for current and upcoming construction projects.
• Support large, complex job sites, including data centers and other mission-critical facilities.
• Collaborate with Superintendents, Project Managers, and HR to address field staffing needs, performance concerns, and workforce adjustments.
• Maintain a strong understanding of ColonialWebb’s self-perform trades, standards, and expectations.
• Promote ColonialWebb’s culture of safety, accountability, craftsmanship, and respect across all field operations.
• Provide insight and recommendations on talent utilization, development needs, and succession planning within the field workforce.
• Ensure consistency and fairness in talent evaluation and job assignment decisions.
• Serve as a trusted field leadership resource for operations teams.
• Develop and maintain 3-, 6-, and 12-month workforce forecasts in coordination with Operations.
• Translate project schedules into labor demand curves by trade and skill level.
• Identify workforce gaps early and drive recruitment strategies accordingly.
• Build and maintain relationships with trade schools, apprenticeship programs, and industry networks.
• Support craft hiring events and candidate pipeline development.
• Identify high-potential craft professionals for leadership development.
• Support succession planning for field leadership roles.
• Partner with training teams to close skill gaps.
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Plumbing
  Including, but not limited to:
• Plumbers
• Sheet Metal Mechanics / Installers

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience as a Superintendent on large, complex construction projects.
• Strong background in Mechanical, Electrical, and/or Plumbing construction.
• Experience managing and supporting large craft workforces.
• Data center construction experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to assess craft skill levels, leadership potential, and job readiness.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational skills and sound decision-making abilities.
• Deep commitment to jobsite safety, quality, and productivity.
• Ability to work from the Richmond, VA area with regular engagement across multiple job sites.

Why ColonialWebb

ColonialWebb is a leading specialty contractor known for self-perform excellence, long-term careers, and a people-first culture. We invest in our field workforce and believe strong leadership and smart talent placement are essential to delivering exceptional results for our customers and our teams.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.