Division Manager-Heavy Civil Construction

About the Company

The company is a Southern California-based heavy civil general engineering contractor with deep expertise in self-performed public works, railroad, and utility infrastructure projects. They have built their reputation on operational excellence, field execution, and a hands-on approach to heavy civil construction. The company self-performs the majority of its work across utilities, earthwork, asphalt, concrete, and rail infrastructure.

About the Position

The company is seeking a hands-on Division Manager to lead and grow its heavy civil self-performed operations throughout Southern California. This is not a high-level delegator role — the ideal candidate is an operational leader who stays actively involved in project execution, estimating, and field operations when needed.

The Division Manager will oversee division performance across utilities, dirtwork, asphalt, concrete, and rail projects while owning operational and financial outcomes. This individual will lead teams, mentor staff, support strategic pursuits, and personally step into Project Management or estimating responsibilities on complex or high-priority projects.

This role is best suited for a builder-operator who thrives in the work, understands self-perform construction deeply, and leads from the front.

Key Responsibilities

• Own division P&L performance, including revenue, gross margin, operating margin, and cash flow.
• Oversee execution of self-performed heavy civil operations across utilities, earthwork, asphalt, concrete, and rail.
• Support estimating efforts on strategic pursuits by reviewing takeoffs, validating unit costs, and shaping bid strategy.
• Step directly into Project Manager responsibilities on critical or at-risk projects when needed.
• Mentor and develop PMs, estimators, superintendents, and field leadership teams.
• Maintain strong relationships with public agencies, railroad clients, and utility owners.
• Drive equipment utilization, field productivity, cost control, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with executive leadership on growth initiatives, market expansion, and capital planning.
• Champion company safety culture and quality standards across all operations.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in heavy civil construction.
• Current or recent experience as a Project Manager, Senior PM, Director, or Division-level leader.
• Strong self-perform background in:
• Utilities
• Earthwork / dirtwork
• Asphalt
• Concrete
• Active experience in the California heavy civil market.
• Proven success delivering public works, utility-owner, or agency-driven projects.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including:
• P&L ownership
• Cost forecasting
• Change order management
• Field productivity oversight
• Estimating capability with the ability to review, build, and challenge estimates credibly.
• Demonstrated success developing and retaining strong field and office teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Rail project experience
• Caltrans project delivery experience.
• Bilingual English / Spanish.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary: $180,000–$250,000 DOE
• Company vehicle
• Profit sharing program
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Direct executive exposure
• Long-term growth runway into senior leadership