Project Manager I

Location: Flexible / Regional Travel Required

Industry: Telecommunications / Utility Construction / Fiber Optics

Job Summary:

Build the Infrastructure That Connects Communities

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Outside Plant (OSP) Project Manager to lead the successful execution of complex fiber optic and utility construction projects. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for managing multiple underground and aerial OSP construction projects from planning through closeout while ensuring safety, quality, profitability, and client satisfaction.

The ideal candidate combines strong construction management expertise with extensive knowledge of underground utility installations, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), aerial cable construction, fiber optic infrastructure, and field operations. We are looking for a proven leader who can effectively manage people, schedules, budgets, subcontractors, clients, and production across multiple active projects.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership Characteristics

• A strategic thinker who can balance operational execution with business objectives.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• A decisive leader who thrives in fast-paced, production-driven environments.
• Skilled at building customer trust and long-term relationships.
• Comfortable managing large teams and significant project portfolios.
• Driven by accountability, safety, performance, and continuous improvement.
• Capable of leading both field and office personnel while maintaining a strong customer-focused mindset.

Project Leadership

• Manage the full lifecycle of HDD and aerial OSP construction projects from award through final completion.
• Develop project execution plans, schedules, budgets, staffing plans, and production forecasts.
• Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and to customer specifications.
• Monitor project progress and proactively identify and mitigate risks.
• Lead regular project review meetings with internal teams and stakeholders.

HDD & Aerial Operations Management

• Oversee all directional drilling operations including bore planning, utility crossings, pullback activities, and restoration.
• Manage aerial construction activities including strand placement, fiber installation, make-ready coordination, pole transfers, and system upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with engineering designs, permits, utility owner requirements, and customer specifications.
• Coordinate HDD crews, aerial crews, subcontractors, equipment resources, and material deliveries.
• Provide technical guidance on challenging bore paths, utility conflicts, aerial attachment requirements, and field conditions.
• Drive production efficiency while maintaining industry-leading safety and quality standards.

Financial Management

• Manage project budgets, cost controls, forecasting, and profitability.
• Review labor, equipment, subcontractor, and material expenditures.
• Approve purchase orders, invoices, and change orders.
• Identify opportunities to improve margins and operational efficiency.
• Prepare monthly financial reports and executive project updates.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary contact for customers, municipalities, utility owners, engineering firms, and permitting agencies.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Lead project status meetings and communicate progress, risks, and solutions.
• Negotiate project changes and resolve issues professionally and effectively.

Safety & Quality Excellence

• Promote a culture of safety and accountability throughout all operations.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, company safety policies, NESC requirements, and industry regulations.
• Conduct project audits and field reviews to verify quality expectations are met.
• Support incident investigations and corrective action initiatives.

Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop project coordinators, field supervisors, superintendents, and construction teams.
• Establish performance expectations and hold teams accountable for results.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on execution, communication, and continuous improvement.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are looking for a top-tier construction leader, not simply an administrator. The ideal candidate has successfully managed large-scale HDD and aerial OSP programs, understands fiber and utility construction at a detailed operational level, can lead field and office teams with equal effectiveness, and has a proven track record of delivering safe, profitable projects while exceeding customer expectations.

The successful candidate is a results-oriented professional who understands the challenges of large-scale broadband deployment, excels at managing customers and construction teams, and consistently delivers operational excellence across underground and aerial construction programs.

If you have built high-performing teams, managed complex HDD and aerial fiber construction operations, and consistently delivered exceptional results, we want to hear from you.

UniTek Global Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 7+ years of project management experience in OSP, telecommunications, underground utility, aerial utility, or civil construction.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience managing both HDD and aerial OSP construction operations.
• Proven success managing projects ranging from $5M to $100M+ in annual portfolio value.
• Strong knowledge of fiber optic network construction, underground utility installation, aerial plant construction, and OSP best practices.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent projects and geographically dispersed crews.
• Strong understanding of utility coordination, pole attachment processes, make-ready construction, permitting, and restoration requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, project scheduling software, and construction management platforms.
• Strong understanding of contracts, change management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial controls.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel extensively as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP Certification.
• OSHA 30 Certification.
• Experience managing large-scale FTTH, middle-mile, long-haul, and utility infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge of telecom providers, utility companies, cooperatives, and broadband expansion programs.
• Experience managing both self-perform and subcontractor construction models.
• Advanced understanding of bore profiling, utility locating, pole loading analysis, and aerial attachment requirements.
• Experience leading multi-state construction programs with annual revenues exceeding $50M.

Physical Requirements:

• Lift up to 65 lbs. of equipment and tools
• May be required to work long and unpredictable hours
• Travel required up to 50% of the time
• Must be able to pass pre-employment screening that includes background and drug testing