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 โ from mobilization through substantial completion and closeout โ 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 โ ensuring every project meets or exceeds contractual requirements and internal KPIs.
- Champion Brooks Constructionโs 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:
โข 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.
โข Proven track record leading civil construction for utility-scale solar, battery storage, substation, or heavy infrastructure projects is strongly preferred.
โข Deep experience managing union labor forces (Local 84, 150, 379, or equivalent) with demonstrated success in maintaining positive labor relations while delivering superior productivity.
โข Strong background in earthwork, mass grading, underground utilities, drainage, erosion control, and site development.
โข Bachelorโs degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent combination of technical training and experience).
โข Proven P&L responsibility for multi-million-dollar civil portfolios with consistent on-time, on-budget delivery.
โข OSHA 30-hour certification and current credentials in heavy equipment operations or safety management are a plus.
Key Competencies
โข Exceptional leadership and team development skills with the ability to inspire high performance under pressure.
โข Strong financial acumen and the ability to manage large construction budgets with precision.
โข Outstanding verbal and written communication; able to deliver clear direction, constructive feedback, and executive-level reporting.
โข Decisive problem-solver who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments and makes data-driven decisions.
โข Unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and ethical business practices.
โข Willingness and ability to travel extensively (50%+) across the eastern United States.