Business Unit Leader-Heavy Civil Construction

About the Company

Our client is a nationally recognized infrastructure contractor with more than a century of experience delivering complex underground utility, water, wastewater, and heavy civil construction projects throughout the United States. The company's Washington, DC business unit has an established leadership team, strong client relationships, a substantial and growing project backlog, and a robust pipeline of future opportunities.

With continued growth across water, wastewater, utility infrastructure, rehabilitation, and alternative delivery markets, the organization offers an established platform for an experienced executive to lead a successful operation and expand its regional presence.

About the Position

The Business Unit Leader will provide strategic and operational leadership for an established infrastructure construction business, reporting directly to executive leadership. This is a high-impact opportunity for a proven construction executive to assume significant responsibility for business performance, market growth, client relationships, and organizational development.

The successful candidate will have the autonomy to shape business strategy, lead major pursuits, strengthen client partnerships, and develop a high-performing team while driving long-term profitability and sustainable growth. Based on performance, the role also offers potential for broader leadership responsibilities within the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Leadership and Financial Performance: Own the business unit's profit and loss (P&L), revenue growth, profitability, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation. Establish performance objectives and develop strategic business plans in partnership with executive leadership.
• Operations and Project Delivery: Oversee Project Executives, Project Managers, Project Engineers, Superintendents, and support personnel to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to established quality standards.
• Business Development and Market Expansion: Drive growth across water, wastewater, underground utilities, rehabilitation, and heavy civil infrastructure. Identify new opportunities, strengthen existing relationships, and expand the business unit's market presence.
• Alternative Delivery and Major Pursuits: Pursue opportunities involving Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), Progressive Design-Build, Design-Build, and other collaborative delivery methods. Lead major pursuits, client presentations, project interviews, and preconstruction strategies.
• Client and Industry Relationships: Build and maintain executive-level relationships with public agencies, utilities, municipalities, engineering firms, and other key infrastructure stakeholders throughout the Washington, DC region.
• Talent Development and Organizational Leadership: Recruit, mentor, and retain high-performing professionals. Develop future leaders, support succession planning, and establish a scalable organizational structure that supports continued growth.
• Risk Management and Strategic Execution: Maintain oversight of project risks, operational performance, and resource planning while ensuring alignment with company objectives and long-term business goals.

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive experience in construction management and leadership, including senior operations, regional leadership, or business unit leadership responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale infrastructure, underground utility, water, wastewater, heavy civil, transportation, or other complex construction programs.
• Proven ability to lead large operational teams and oversee multiple projects or a substantial project portfolio.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including direct responsibility for P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, profitability, and operational planning.
• Track record of successful business development, client relationship management, and securing new project opportunities.
• Experience leading major pursuits, client interviews, and preconstruction efforts.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to develop talent, build effective teams, and establish a culture of accountability, safety, and operational excellence.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with CMAR, Progressive Design-Build, Design-Build, or other alternative delivery methods.
• Established relationships with DC Water, WSSC, regional utilities, municipalities, engineering firms, and other infrastructure stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related discipline.
• MBA or other advanced business qualification is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary of $250,000–$300,000+, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Performance-based incentives tied to business unit results and strategic objectives.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Company vehicle or vehicle allowance.
• Cell phone allowance.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Professional development and executive leadership training.
• Relocation assistance, if applicable.
• Potential for expanded leadership responsibilities as the organization continues to grow.