Position: Utility-Scale Trenching Division ManagerLocation: Gilbert, AZ or Prineville, OR
Travel Requirements:- Approximately 25% travel each month to project sites nationwide is required
- Additional travel may be required to support critical project meetings, customer meetings, leadership meetings, safety initiatives, quality audits, compliance activities, or other business needs
Salary: $180k - $250k DOE
Key Responsibilities:- Provide strategic leadership for all trenching operations across multiple utility-scale construction projects
- Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Superintendents, Foremen, Equipment Operators, and field leaders
- Lead all aspects of high-production trenching and underground conduit installation, including single-pass mechanical laying, cable lay box operations, bedding placement, warning mesh installation, backfilling, and restoration
- Ensure manpower, trenching equipment, materials, subcontractors, and resources are properly planned and coordinated to support project execution
- Coordinate trenching resources, support equipment, production sequencing, and underground installation activities to maximize efficiency
- Ensure trenches and conduit installations are completed safely, accurately, and in accordance with project specifications
- Partner closely with Project Managers, Operations Leadership, Estimating, and executive leadership to ensure successful project delivery
- Drive operational consistency through planning, communication, accountability, and execution
- Monitor production, productivity, equipment utilization, quality, and overall operational performance
- Support project planning, scheduling, forecasting, budgeting, and resource management
- Develop future leaders through coaching, mentorship, performance management, and succession planning
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, General Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and project stakeholders
- Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, safety, quality, and operational performance throughout the division
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives while reinforcing company processes and best practices
- Promote a culture where safety is always the highest priority
- Lead by example while living and reinforcing the R-2 Core Values every day
Requirements:- Minimum 10 years of heavy civil or underground utility construction experience, including utility-scale power, renewable energy, transmission, substation, or large underground infrastructure projects
- Proven experience leading multiple trenching crews, Superintendents, and large-scale underground utility construction operations
- Strong knowledge of high-production trenching, single-pass mechanical laying, underground conduit installation, trench safety, bedding placement, warning mesh installation, backfilling, and restoration practices
- Demonstrated experience operating and managing Tesmec trenchers, Vermeer trenchers, rock saws, cable lay box systems, and associated support equipment
- Working knowledge of GPS grade control, trench alignment, production planning, operational scheduling, and resource allocation
- Strong financial and business acumen with experience managing operational budgets and project performance
- Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams
- Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to build strong working relationships with customers, project teams, and executive leadership
- Demonstrated commitment to safety, accountability, operational excellence, and quality workmanship
- Ability to travel as required to support projects, customers, and company operations
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record
- Ability to successfully complete pre-employment drug screening and background check
What Success Looks Like:The successful
Trenching Division Manager:
- Builds a division where employees are engaged, developed, and proud to work
- Consistently delivers safe, productive, and high-quality trenching and underground conduit installation
- Develops strong Superintendents, Foremen, Equipment Operators, and future leaders
- Earns the trust and confidence of customers through reliable execution and exceptional performance
- Successfully leads high-production single-pass mechanical laying operations that improve safety, quality, and productivity
- Plans proactively, communicates effectively, and resolves challenges before they impact production
- Continuously strengthens the division through improved people, systems, processes, and operational performance
Our Leadership Philosophy:At R-2 Contractors, technical expertise may open the door-but leadership is defined by how you develop people, build teams, and live our Core Values.
Our leaders are expected to:
- Lead with integrity, humility, professionalism, and accountability
- Put the safety and success of their people first
- Coach, mentor, and develop future leaders
- Build trust through consistent execution and open communication
- Foster teamwork while empowering others to make decisions and grow
- Hold themselves and others accountable to the highest standards
- Protect and strengthen the culture that makes R-2 different
- Leave the division stronger than they found it
The R-2 Core ValuesPRIDE - We take ownership of our work, our people, our equipment, and our reputation. Every project reflects the pride we have in our craft.
- Do What's Right
- Put Your Name On It
- Never Accept Mediocrity
- I Am R-2
- Grow or Die
GRIT - We embrace challenges, solve problems, overcome adversity, and never allow obstacles to define our success.
- Dig Deep and Grind It Out
- Give It Your All
- Do What It Takes
- Dedication
OWN IT! - We don't make excuses or point fingers. We own the outcome, communicate early, solve problems, and continually improve ourselves and our teams.
- Do What You Say
- Be Accountable
- If You Ain't First, You're Last
- Accept Criticism
- Own Your Position
Benefits:- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (company funded plans available for the entire family)
- 401(k) with 3% company match
- 5-Year Employment Appreciation Bonus
Ready to Join Our Team?
If you're ready to lead one of the premier Heavy Civil divisions in the utility-scale power industry while building exceptional people, delivering outstanding projects, and shaping the future of R-2 Contractors, we'd love to hear from you.
At R-2 Contractors, we don't simply move earth-we build infrastructure, develop leaders, strengthen teams, and create a culture that refuses to settle for anything less than excellence.
Apply today and help us build what's next. 
