Senior Water / Wastewater Construction Manager

Job Description

Job Description

ESP Associates, Inc. is actively looking to bring an experienced Senior Water / Wastewater (W/WW) Construction Manager in Austin, TX to join our team for management of construction of large capital infrastructure improvements, including water and wastewater treatment and conveyance, and large diameter pipe projects.

About the Role:

The Senior Construction Manager is a management level position within ESP. This role oversees the construction of large W/WW capital infrastructure projects and ensures work is executed on time and on budget. The Senior Construction Manager plays a leadership role in the construction management group as part of the company’s overall strategic operations plan. This position allocates resources, tracks, and reports on project progress, manages project risk through staff oversight, monitors schedules, manages budgets, ensures quality, and performs contract administration and project management throughout the life of the project. This position creates and implements plans to ensure project success across all phases of delivery (permitting, design, construction, start-up, and operations) as applicable to individual clients, programs, or projects. This position actively participates in business development through assistance with proposal development, client meetings, interviews, and company introductory presentations.

Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily the requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Other duties may be assigned. Duties are varied in nature and include:

• Project Oversight and Administration: Develop and maintain Project Management Plans (PMP), schedules, and budgets, including processing monthly contractor pay requests and invoices.
• Project Management: Provide management and oversight throughout all phases of a construction project/projects including budget, schedule, risk, and stakeholder management to execute the client’s project goals and objectives.
• Contractor Management: Serve as the primary point of contact and lead meetings between the owner, design team, and general contractor to ensure project goals are met.
• Quality Assurance and Inspection: Oversee on-site inspectors, review contractor work for compliance with technical specifications, and ensure proper installation of Infrastructure. Direct and manage inspection staff.
• Change Order & Risk Management: Evaluate contractor proposals for change orders, negotiate costs, and implement Risk Management plans to prevent delays.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with safety standards and environmental regulations, including site discharges, and manage permitting.
• Commissioning and Closeout: Coordinate construction startups, system tie-ins, and operator training to transition the facility to operations, including the finalization of record drawings.
• Manage Company Initiatives: Track and report on job profitability, assist in identification and development of future work opportunities, and assist in development and presentation of proposals for new work.
• Perform related work as required or other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Construction Engineering or related field.
• Special Licensing or Certification: Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado; Certified Construction Manager; Project Management Professional or ability to obtain licensure or certification within 12 months of date of hire.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible experience in civil engineering and construction with an emphasis in the following areas:
  • Project/Construction Management and Contract Administration.
  • Claims avoidance, Risk Management, and Schedule Control.
  • Construction Management related to Municipal, State and Federal Agency projects.
  • Demonstrated business development and relationship-building experience.
• Experience with large capital projects with particular emphasis on water and wastewater treatment plants and large diameter collection and distribution pipelines.
• Experience leading, coaching, and mentoring project team members.
• Experience with business development and proposal support.
• Experience in common industry delivery models including CM/GC, CMaR, Design/Build, DBB, P3 and others.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Candidate must be able to pass a drug screen, background check, and have a satisfactory driving record in accordance with the company’s driving (MVR) policy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and knowledge of engineering and construction principles and practices related to heavy civil, public facilities, water and/or wastewater treatment, and utility infrastructure.
• Experience in projects using membrane filtration and/or potable reuse.
• Ability to foster teamwork, lead, develop professional relationships, mentor, and train.
• Experience complying with and ensuring with and follow standard safety practices and procedures common to construction work.
• Experience maintaining effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, clients, and the public.
• Experience preparing budgets and proposals, managing contracts and project costs.

Corporate Information:

ESP is a multi-discipline engineering design and consulting firm providing our clients with civil engineering, surveying, planning/landscape architecture, geosciences, environmental, subsurface utility engineering, and construction engineering inspection.

Through years of dedicated service to our clients, ESP has received a designation of 186 on the 2026 ENR Top 500 Design Firm rankings. For the firm's primary territory, the ENR Texas & Southeast Top Design Firms, ESP received a 2026 ranking of 53.

ESP offers an excellent employee benefits package including:

• Competitive compensation with yearly performance reviews and discretionary annual bonuses
• 401(k) (Traditional & Roth plans) with a guaranteed employer match of 100% up to the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% (eligibility after 60 days)
• PTO (Paid Time Off) & 10 Paid Holidays
• VTO (Volunteer Time Off) of 4 hours each year (prorated during first year based on hire date)
• Tiered Health, Vision & Dental Insurance Options (eligibility after 30 days)
• Behavioral Medicine through Teladoc
• Short-Term Disability Insurance (Employer paid)
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Education Reimbursement Opportunities
• Flexible and Dependent Benefits Plan
• Referral Bonuses