Description:
Brooks Construction is seeking a dynamic, results-driven Director of Civil Construction to lead all field execution for our heavy civil projects east of the Mississippi River. This executive-level role is responsible for the full lifecycle of field operations — from mobilization through substantial completion and closeout — on complex heavy civil scopes including earthwork, utilities, grading, drainage, roads, and site infrastructure supporting utility-scale renewable energy projects.
Reporting directly to the COO, the Director will build, lead, and continuously elevate a high-performing team of Civil Construction Superintendents and General Foremen. The successful candidate will drive safety excellence, schedule adherence, budget performance, and quality outcomes while fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, and relentless execution. This is a hands-on leadership position that demands deep field experience, strong union labor relations, and the ability to scale operations amid rapid company growth.
- Provide strategic and tactical leadership for all civil construction field operations east of the Mississippi, overseeing multiple simultaneous projects ranging from $10M to $100M+ in value.
- Directly manage, develop, and hold accountable a team of Civil Construction Superintendents and General Foremen; conduct regular performance reviews, succession planning, and targeted training to elevate team capability.
- Own project outcomes for safety, quality, schedule, and cost — ensuring every project meets or exceeds contractual requirements and internal KPIs.
- Champion Brooks Construction’s safety-first culture; implement and enforce rigorous safety programs, conduct field audits, and drive zero-incident performance.
- Collaborate closely with preconstruction, estimating, project management, and procurement teams to ensure seamless transition from bid to field execution and to capture lessons learned for continuous improvement.
- Lead labor strategy and union relations for all civil crews; maintain strong partnerships with union leadership while optimizing productivity and workforce utilization.
- Conduct regular site visits and progress reviews; proactively identify and resolve field issues before they impact schedule or budget.
- Develop and implement standardized field execution processes, best practices, and reporting tools to drive consistency across the entire civil portfolio.
- Manage civil construction budgets, forecast resource needs, and identify opportunities for cost savings and value engineering in the field.
- Partner with the executive team on strategic initiatives including geographic expansion, new market entry, and scaling civil operations to support company growth targets.
- Represent Brooks Construction with owners, engineers, general contractors, and regulatory agencies; build and maintain high-trust relationships that support repeat business and negotiated work.
Requirements:
• Minimum 15 years of progressive heavy civil construction experience, with at least 7 years in senior leadership roles managing multiple large-scale projects and field teams.
• Proven track record leading civil construction for utility-scale solar, battery storage, substation, or heavy infrastructure projects is strongly preferred.
• Deep experience managing union labor forces (Local 84, 150, 379, or equivalent) with demonstrated success in maintaining positive labor relations while delivering superior productivity.
• Strong background in earthwork, mass grading, underground utilities, drainage, erosion control, and site development.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent combination of technical training and experience).
• Proven P&L responsibility for multi-million-dollar civil portfolios with consistent on-time, on-budget delivery.
• OSHA 30-hour certification and current credentials in heavy equipment operations or safety management are a plus.
Key Competencies
• Exceptional leadership and team development skills with the ability to inspire high performance under pressure.
• Strong financial acumen and the ability to manage large construction budgets with precision.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication; able to deliver clear direction, constructive feedback, and executive-level reporting.
• Decisive problem-solver who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments and makes data-driven decisions.
• Unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and ethical business practices.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively (50%+) across the eastern United States.