Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager | Heavy Highway (DOT) | Lafayette, LA Lead projects, develop people and help shape the next phase of growth. About the Opportunity A well-established, owner-led heavy civil contractor in South Louisiana is seeking a Senior Project Manager to join its Heavy Highway division. The role reports directly to the Vice President of Heavy Highway. Founded in the late 1970s, the business has grown from a site work subcontractor into a statewide heavy civil contractor serving transportation, industrial and commercial markets. Its core work is public-bid highway and heavy civil, including earthwork, concrete paving, drainage, foundations and site work. It is now expanding into bridge work, industrial projects and the Texas Gulf Coast. This is a family-atmosphere organisation built on safety, integrity, excellence, motivation and accountability. It places real emphasis on developing talent from within, and retention is high, with several former employees recently choosing to return. Why This Role Stands Out Leadership Impact: This is a newly created senior role. You'll work alongside the VP to mentor and develop a young, ambitious team of Project Managers. Clear Growth Trajectory: There is a realistic path to managing PMs across multiple projects within three to five years, with potential growth into an Area Manager or VP-track position. Expanding Portfolio: You'll be part of the company's push into bridge work, including a recently won multi-bridge project, and new markets along the Texas Gulf Coast. Manageable Workload: You'll run three to five concurrent projects, each supported by a project engineer and a seasoned superintendent. Culture & Stability: Join an owner-led business that values long-term careers and retains a small-company feel as it grows. Package: The package includes a competitive base salary, performance bonus, truck allowance and 401(k). Key Responsibilities Manage three to five concurrent DOT heavy highway projects from award through closeout, with full ownership of cost, schedule and profitability Oversee earthwork, drainage, utilities, roadway and bridge scopes Mentor and upskill developing Project Managers on project controls, commercial management and best practice Lead project engineers and superintendents on each project, with superintendents managing multiple foremen and crews Manage owner relationships, change orders, subcontractors and project documentation Support the VP of Heavy Highway in strengthening processes and project delivery across the division Qualifications 5+ years of experience specifically as a Project Manager. Industry tenure alone does not meet this requirement. A heavy highway or road construction background on DOT projects is required. You should have a track record managing larger DOT projects, ideally up to around $50M. You need strong experience in earthwork, drainage, utilities and roadway. Bridge experience is a significant advantage. Experience with Viewpoint, Primavera P6 and HCSS HeavyJob/HeavyBid is a bonus but not essential. Location: Lafayette is preferred. Candidates based in Lake Charles or the Baton Rouge area will also be considered. Ideal Candidate An experienced DOT Project Manager who wants to step into a role with genuine leadership influence, not just a bigger project load. Detail-oriented and proactive, with a go-getter mentality and the patience to develop others. Someone who combines strong industry knowledge with sound processes and project controls. Looking for a long-term career with an owner-led contractor where performance is recognised and growth is real. #J-18808-Ljbffr CMC Partners