Senior Project Manager - Civil / Water / Wastewater

Tarlton Corporation

$90K — $120K *
Real Estate & Construction
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in construction project management, specifically in water/wastewater sectors.
  • Strong operational management and project leadership skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to handle complex budgets and schedules effectively.
  • Bachelors in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
  • OSHA 30 certification preferred; a valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

  • Lead execution of water and wastewater construction projects from start to finish.
  • Manage project budgets, forecasts, and schedules while ensuring project controls.
  • Coordinate effectively with field teams, subcontractors, and regulatory stakeholders.
  • Drive procurement processes and manage change orders and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Plan for project shutdowns, tie-ins, and critical path activities.
  • Support a safe working environment while upholding quality expectations.
  • Develop junior project managers and support team growth.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead high-impact, complex projects with an experienced team.
  • Strong support for personal and professional development.
  • Safety-first company culture with a commitment to high standards.
  • Competitive benefits and career advancement opportunities.
  • A company committed to the local community and regional investment.
Full Job Description
Senior Project Manager - Civil / Water / Wastewater

Location:Central Illinois / Southern Iowa / St. Louis Region

Your Role

This is morethan a project role. It is an opportunity to help build and shape a growingregional program with the backing of an established and strong company. Ournear-term goal is to develop this into an annual operation with continuedgrowth from there, and we are seeking leaders who want to play a key role inthat journey.

Successfulcandidates will begin by immersing themselves in our culture, systems, andpeople through hands-on experience with our St. Louis office team. Afterapproximately 6-12 months, you will transition into a leadership rolesupporting and delivering water/wastewater and potentially other civil projectsin Central Illinois and Southern Iowa - helping grow our presence in theregion.

This is afantastic opportunity for a motivated leader with an entrepreneurial drive toadvance his/her career while receiving strong support and development. Currentclients and opportunities are already identified. If you are looking for a rolewhere you can lead, build, and make a lasting impact, we want to talk with you.

What You'll Do

Lead complexwater and wastewater and other civil construction projects from preconstructionthrough closeout, managing project teams, client relationships, budgets,schedules, contracts, and operational execution.
  • Lead overall execution of assigned construction projects.
  • Manage project budgets, forecasting, billing, scheduling, and project controls.
  • Coordinate with field leadership, subcontractors, clients, engineers, and regulatory stakeholders.
  • Drive procurement, change management, risk mitigation, and project reporting.
  • Lead planning for shutdowns, tie-ins, commissioning, and critical path activities.
  • Support safe execution and reinforce quality and operational expectations.
  • Develop Project Managers, Engineers, and Superintendents and support growth of project teams.
  • Contribute to, and in some instances lead, estimating efforts.
  • Identify and build strong client relationships and support repeat business opportunities.

What You Bring
  • Strong project leadership and operational management experience.
  • Ability to manage complex schedules, budgets, and stakeholder relationships.
  • Collaborative leadership style with strong communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Commitment to safety, quality, accountability, and client service.


Experience
  • 10+ years of construction project management experience with increasing responsibility.
  • Experience leading water, wastewater, utilities, or infrastructure-related construction projects.
  • Demonstrated success managing complex budgets, schedules, contracts, and client relationships.

Education & Certifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field experience.
  • OSHA 30 strongly preferred.
  • Valid driver's license required.

Tools & Software
  • Proficiency in Procore (or similar), ViewPoint (or similar), Primavera P6 Scheduling (or similar), and estimating software.
  • Experience with Bluebeam and MS Office products.

SpecializedProject ExperienceWater/wastewater treatment facilities, utilities, infrastructure, shutdowns, bypass pumping, and complex coordination activities.

Work Location, Environment & Travel Requirements
  • Primarily on an active project site; frequent walking of work areas and coordination with crews and trades.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), exposure to weather and loud environments, and lifting/moving of 25-50 lbs.
  • Work hours may vary by project and may include early mornings, evenings, nights, and weekends.
  • Travel is required. Projects will primarily be within the southeast Iowa and central Illinois region, with flexibility and readiness to support work outside the market as needed. Travel to and from St. Louis for initial onboarding and then as needed.

Tarlton Competencies
  • Leadership & Team Development: Provides clear direction, sets expectations, holds others accountable, and develops team members through coaching and support
  • Stand Behind Our Word and Work: Follows through on commitments, takes ownership of results, and ensures work meets high standards of quality and professionalism
  • Cultivate Clients for Life: Builds trust-based relationships through responsiveness, clear communication, and understanding of client needs
  • Build a Safe and Caring Environment: Promotes a safety-first culture, proactively manages risks, and looks out for others
  • Gets the Job Done: Takes ownership, removes obstacles, prioritizes effectively, and drives work forward to achieve results
  • Communication and Collaboration: Communicates clearly and works effectively across teams to build trust and alignment
  • Develops and Adapts: Seeks feedback, learns from experience, and adjusts to changing conditions and project needs

Why You'll Like Working Here
  • Complex, high-impact projects with experienced teams
  • Strong partnership between field and project management
  • Safety-first culture and high standards of quality
  • Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and long-term career growth
  • A company proud to be STLMade and invested in the region

Let's Build TogetherIf you're interested in working on challenging projects witha collaborative, experienced team, we encourage you to apply.

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