Project Manager / Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Heavy Civil Project Manager / Estimator

Concrete, Underground Utilities, Earthwork & Grading
Southeastern Wisconsin

A well-established Milwaukee based, family-owned Heavy Civil Contractor is seeking experienced Project Managers / Estimators to support continued growth across several operating divisions.

The company performs a diverse mix of public and private construction throughout southeastern Wisconsin and surrounding markets. Opportunities may align with concrete, underground utilities, earthwork, grading, crushing, DOT and municipal infrastructure, industrial construction, or private site development.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on construction professional seeking meaningful project ownership, direct access to company leadership, minimal corporate bureaucracy, and the ability to return home each night.

The Opportunity

Project Managers are trusted to estimate and manage their own work, make operational decisions, maintain customer relationships, and take ownership of project performance. The company establishes clear financial and operational expectations while giving experienced professionals the freedom to determine how best to achieve them.

The selected candidate will manage projects from initial takeoff and bidding through construction and final closeout. This individual will work closely with field leaders, customers, vendors, and other project managers while maintaining responsibility for safety, schedule, quality, cost control, and profitability.

The company is open to candidates at different experience levels and can shape the position around the right person’s technical background, relationships, and long-term potential.

Relevant Construction Markets

Qualified candidates may bring experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Heavy civil construction

• Underground utilities

• Concrete construction

• Earthwork, excavation, and grading

• Concrete crushing and material processing

• DOT and municipal infrastructure

• Data centers and power plants

• Airport construction

• Industrial and private-sector site development

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform project takeoffs, quantity calculations, estimating, and bidding.

• Review plans, specifications, contracts, schedules, and scope requirements.

• Develop competitive estimates, production assumptions, and project proposals.

• Manage awarded projects from startup through completion and closeout.

• Establish and maintain project budgets, forecasts, production goals, and cost reports.

• Coordinate superintendents, field crews, subcontractors, suppliers, and equipment.

• Monitor labor productivity, material costs, equipment utilization, schedules, and profitability.

• Manage change orders, project documentation, billing, and customer communication.

• Identify risks and independently resolve project challenges.

• Maintain strong relationships with owners, engineers, municipalities, vendors, and subcontractors.

• Protect customer satisfaction while maintaining financial accountability.

• Collaborate with other project managers on multidisciplinary bids and projects.

• Participate in regular project and financial performance reviews.

• Support the continued growth of the company and assigned operating division.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of project management or estimating experience in heavy civil construction.

• Candidates with less experience may be considered when they demonstrate strong technical ability, leadership potential, and a clear record of success.

• Experience in concrete, underground utilities, earthwork, grading, crushing, DOT construction, municipal infrastructure, or private site development.

• Ability to independently estimate, bid, and manage projects.

• Strong understanding of project budgets, forecasting, production tracking, and cost control.

• Experience coordinating field operations and leading project teams.

• Ability to manage projects with minimal oversight.

• Strong organizational, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated accountability for project safety, schedule, quality, and profitability.

• Ability to collaborate within an experienced and highly autonomous project management group.

• Proficiency with HCSS HeavyBid is highly desirable.

• Familiarity with Viewpoint or a comparable construction ERP and project-cost system is beneficial.

• Established customer relationships or a demonstrated ability to grow a book of business is especially attractive.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a self-directed construction professional who can operate independently without becoming disconnected from the broader team.

The company is seeking someone who:

• Takes ownership of projects and follows through on commitments.

• Brings solutions instead of requiring constant direction.

• Communicates effectively with field personnel, customers, project managers, and ownership.

• Balances customer service with financial accountability.

• Remains calm and decisive when project challenges arise.

• Works collaboratively across multiple construction divisions.

• Respects experienced team members and established company culture.

• Wants to contribute to the growth of the business.

• Is looking for a stable, long-term career with a family-owned contractor.

Company Culture

The company combines the resources and project capabilities of a sizable heavy civil contractor with the accessibility and personal relationships of a family-owned business.

Employees benefit from:

• Direct access to company ownership and decision-makers.

• Minimal corporate bureaucracy.

• Significant autonomy to manage projects and solve problems.

• Clear performance expectations and regular financial reviews.

• A collaborative project management team.

• Strong employee retention and long-tenured leadership.

• A selective hiring process focused on long-term cultural alignment.

• Opportunities to contribute to major multidisciplinary bids and projects.

• A leadership team committed to sustainable growth.

Project managers are not micromanaged. They are expected to communicate clearly, maintain control of their work, support their teammates, and deliver measurable results.

Compensation

Compensation will be based on experience, technical expertise, relationships, and the scope of responsibilities.

• Approximately $130,000 to $140,000 in base salary plus bonus for a developing or less-experienced Project Manager.

• Approximately $160,000 or more in base salary plus bonus for a highly experienced Project Manager.

• Bonus considerations include project performance, profitability, teamwork, organization, operational contribution, and business brought to the company.

• Relocation assistance may be considered for highly qualified candidates.

Location and Travel

• Office-based position requiring regular in-person participation in southeastern Wisconsin.

• Most projects are located within approximately 30 to 60 minutes of the office.

• Occasional work may extend into nearby markets, including northern Illinois.

• There is effectively no overnight project travel.

• Project managers may occasionally attend industry conferences or company events.

• Candidates should live within a sustainable daily commuting distance.

• Relocation assistance may be available.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position offers experienced construction professionals the independence to run their work without the bureaucracy or extensive travel commonly associated with larger regional and national contractors.

The company offers a stable backlog, diverse project portfolio, accessible ownership, competitive compensation, advancement potential, and the opportunity to be home every night. The right individual will be given the trust and resources needed to succeed while becoming part of a collaborative team built around accountability and long-term relationships.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for a confidential conversation. All inquiries and applications will be handled with discretion.