Senior Project Manager – Heavy Civil Construction
Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia | Full-Time
Lead the Project. Own the Outcome.
Complex heavy civil projects require clear direction, disciplined execution and a leader who can keep people, priorities and commitments aligned from planning through delivery.
Harbour Construction is hiring a Senior Project Manager to lead a large heavy civil construction project in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. The project involves mass excavation, earthworks, grading, flatwork and site development.
This is a senior, hands-on leadership position for someone who can operate independently, spearhead a complex project and take full ownership of its successful execution and delivery.
You will work in close partnership with the on-site Superintendent to align project planning, schedule, budget, procurement and contractual requirements with day-to-day field execution. You will also provide clear direction to Project Coordinators, Engineers, Surveyors, Foremen, subcontractors and suppliers while serving as a primary point of contact for the client, consultants and other project stakeholders.
We are looking for a leader who anticipates challenges, establishes priorities, makes sound decisions and keeps the entire team moving toward a successful outcome.
What You’ll Lead
As our Senior Project Manager, you will:
- Take overall responsibility for the planning, execution, control and delivery of the project.
- Establish the project-management plan, execution strategy, milestones and reporting structure.
- Lead the project from mobilization and early planning through construction and closeout.
- Manage project scope, schedule, budget, quality, safety, risk and contractual requirements.
- Translate contract documents and project objectives into clear, practical execution plans.
- Establish project priorities and provide direction to the project-management and field teams.
- Build a strong working partnership with the on-site Superintendent and maintain clear, consistent communication.
- Work with the Superintendent to establish construction sequencing, short-term priorities and resource requirements.
- Ensure project-management commitments, schedules and budgets reflect actual field conditions.
- Provide the Superintendent with the drawings, approvals, materials, subcontractors and information required to keep work moving.
- Address field concerns quickly and remove barriers that could affect safety, quality, productivity or schedule.
- Respect the Superintendent’s responsibility for daily field operations while maintaining overall accountability for project delivery.
- Lead project meetings, planning sessions, progress reviews and stakeholder discussions.
- Develop, maintain and monitor the project schedule, critical path, milestones and short-term priorities.
- Track project performance against the approved budget and schedule.
- Prepare accurate cost forecasts, cash-flow projections, progress reports and management updates.
- Monitor labour, equipment, material, subcontractor and supplier costs.
- Identify cost pressures, schedule risks and performance concerns before they affect project delivery.
- Lead procurement planning, subcontractor selection, scope development and supplier coordination.
- Oversee subcontractor performance, commitments, progress and compliance with project requirements.
- Manage RFIs, submittals, shop drawings, technical documentation and design coordination.
- Lead project change management, including scope review, pricing, documentation, negotiation and recovery.
- Review and approve purchase orders, subcontract commitments, invoices and progress billings.
- Ensure quantities, production information and completed work are accurately tracked and reported.
- Coordinate with Surveyors and project teams regarding layout, quantities, as-builts and field information.
- Maintain clear communication with the client, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and internal leadership.
- Identify project risks, establish mitigation plans and follow corrective actions through to completion.
- Resolve technical, contractual, commercial and operational issues using sound judgment.
- Ensure project documentation is complete, accurate and current.
- Lead quality planning, inspection, deficiency management and project closeout.
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure project activities align with company, client and regulatory requirements.
- Build accountability across the project team while supporting people in doing their best work.
- Mentor Project Coordinators, Engineers and developing project-management professionals.
- Protect the company’s contractual, financial and professional interests throughout the project.
Built to Lead Independently
You will do well in this role if you:
- Can independently lead a large heavy civil project from planning through delivery.
- Take full ownership of project performance and outcomes.
- Understand both the strategic and day-to-day realities of heavy civil construction.
- Can move confidently between contract requirements, financial information, schedules and field operations.
- Make timely, well-reasoned decisions without waiting for constant direction.
- Anticipate problems and take action before they affect cost, schedule or productivity.
- Know when to make a decision independently and when an issue requires executive involvement.
- Provide clear expectations and hold people accountable respectfully and consistently.
- Communicate effectively with clients, consultants, leadership and field teams.
- Remain calm, organized and solutions-focused when project conditions change.
- Can have difficult conversations and address performance or contractual concerns directly.
- Build strong working relationships without losing sight of the company’s obligations and interests.
- Follow commitments and corrective actions through to completion.
- Take pride in delivering work that is safe, well-managed and professionally executed.
Heavy Civil Construction Experience
This is a senior position. The successful candidate must have:
- A minimum of 5 years of progressive construction experience, with substantial experience in heavy civil construction.
- At least five years of experience with full project-management responsibility.
- Proven experience leading large or technically complex construction projects.
- Strong experience with mass excavation, earthworks, grading, foundations, flatwork or large-scale site development.
- Demonstrated responsibility for project scope, budget, schedule, quality, risk and delivery.
- Experience working closely with on-site Superintendents and field teams to plan and execute construction activities.
- Strong knowledge of project-management principles, theory, processes and execution practices.
- Experience managing projects from pre-construction and mobilization through execution and closeout.
- Experience with cost control, forecasting, progress measurement and financial reporting.
- Experience developing and maintaining project schedules and critical-path activities.
- Strong knowledge of contract administration, procurement, subcontract management and change management.
- Experience managing RFIs, submittals, technical documentation and design coordination.
- Experience working directly with clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.
- Demonstrated ability to identify risk, develop mitigation plans and resolve complex project issues.
- Strong leadership, negotiation, communication and decision-making skills.
- The ability to understand how commercial decisions affect field execution—and how field decisions affect project cost and contractual position.
Education and Professional Qualifications
- A degree or diploma in Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Management or a closely related discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- An equivalent combination of extensive heavy civil construction experience and formal technical training may be considered.
Additional Assets
- Project Management Professional designation.
- Professional Engineer, Engineer-in-Training, Certified Engineering Technologist or related professional designation.
- Experience with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project or other scheduling platforms.
- Experience with Procore, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Civil 3D or other construction-management software.
- Experience with earned-value management, formal risk-management processes or advanced cost-control systems.
- Experience negotiating complex changes, resolving claims or supporting dispute resolution.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
Project-Management Knowledge
The successful candidate must have a strong working understanding of:
- Project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, control and closeout.
- Scope, schedule, cost, quality, resource, communication, procurement and risk management.
- Construction contracts, commercial terms and change-management processes.
- Cost forecasting, cash flow, earned progress and financial reporting.
- Critical-path scheduling, look-ahead planning and production monitoring.
- Risk identification, analysis, mitigation and follow-up.
- Procurement strategy and subcontractor management.
- Quality-management systems and project closeout.
- Team leadership, accountability and stakeholder communication.
- The practical application of project-management principles in active heavy civil construction environments.
Hours
- Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Additional hours may be required based on project demands and leadership responsibilities.
What You Can Expect From Us
- The authority and autonomy to lead a complex heavy civil project.
- Direct access to company leadership and experienced operational support.
- A project team that understands the importance of strong leadership and clear direction.
- Competitive senior-level compensation based on experience and capability.
- Medical and dental benefits.
- A company-matched Group RRSP.
- Stable, full-time, year-round employment.
- The opportunity to make a visible impact on a large project.
- A company that values experience, sound judgment and people who follow through.
- Opportunities to contribute to future projects and the continued growth of the company.
- Real responsibility, real accountability and the support required to deliver.
More Than a Place to Work
Harbour Construction has been building communities from the ground up since 1946. We have earned our reputation by investing in our people, equipment and operations for the long term.
Culture here is not a slogan on the wall. It shows up in how our teams work together, how our leaders support their people and how we respond when challenges arise. We value people who take ownership, communicate directly, solve problems and follow through on what they say they will do.
As the Senior Project Manager, you will have the opportunity to shape how this project is planned, led and delivered. Your decisions will matter. Your leadership will influence the team, the client relationship and the final outcome.
You will be trusted to lead, supported when difficult decisions need to be made and held accountable for delivering on the commitments we make.
We are a real company built by real people, and we are looking for a leader who wants to build something meaningful with us.
Work Environment
This position is based in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, and requires a consistent presence on an active construction site. The role combines office, field and leadership responsibilities and involves regular interaction with construction crews, clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.
A valid driver’s licence, reliable transportation and strong English communication skills are required.
Candidates must currently live within commuting distance of Port Hawkesbury or be willing to relocate.
Ready to Lead Something Significant?
If you are an experienced heavy civil Project Manager who can work independently, lead with confidence and take ownership of a large project from execution through delivery, we want to hear from you.
Apply today and bring your leadership, project-management expertise and heavy civil construction experience to a team that is ready to build something real.
Pay: From $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Application question(s):
- Are you legally authorized to work in Canada?
- Are you currently within commuting distance of Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, or willing to relocate for this position?
- How many years of progressive heavy civil construction experience do you have?
- How many years have you held full project-management responsibility for construction projects?
- Have you independently led a large or technically complex heavy civil project with accountability for scope, budget, schedule, contracts, risk and delivery while working in partnership with an on-site Superintendent?
- Briefly describe a large heavy civil project you personally led. Include the project scope, your level of responsibility, how you worked with the on-site Superintendent and the final outcome.
Work Location: In person
