Vice President, Underground Utilities

For more than five decades, our client has built its reputation on one thing: showing up to every project - whether competitively bid or repeat work - with preparation, professionalism, and a team that knows how to execute. They are a well-established Southern California general engineering and underground utilities contractor with a deep roster of public agency clients, major utility relationships, and a track record that speaks for itself. As the organization looks to strengthen its leadership bench, they're bringing on a Vice President of Operations to carry that legacy forward and help shape what comes next. This is a seat at the table for someone who has earned it.What You'll OwnLead day-to-day operations across active underground utility and general engineering projects, ensuring execution meets schedule, budget, safety, and quality benchmarksServe as the senior operational voice on public works pursuits - from preconstruction strategy through project closeoutBuild and maintain strong relationships with public agencies, municipal clients, and Southern California utility partnersOversee estimating, project management, and field supervision functions with clear accountability structuresDrive continuous improvement in project delivery methods, safety protocols, and equipment utilization across the fieldPartner with ownership and senior leadership on business development, contract strategy, and long-range operational planningMentor and develop project managers and field leaders, building the next tier of organizational capabilityRequirementsWhat You BringSignificant experience in underground utilities construction - sewers, storm drains, waterlines, vaults, conduit, and related substructure scopesA career rooted in California, with deep familiarity with California public works regulations, prevailing wage requirements, and municipal contracting environmentsStrong public agency relationships and a genuine track record delivering public works projects from award through closeoutExperience operating at a senior leadership level with direct P&L accountability or equivalent operational ownershipAbility to lead cross-functional teams - estimating, field, PM - with clarity and credibilityCalifornia-based throughout career; candidates without California public works experience are unlikely to be a fit for this roleBenefitsCompetitive compensation commensurate with experience (to be disclosed to qualified candidates)Consistent workload backed by long-term, multi-year on-call contracts with major public agencies across Southern CaliforniaOwner-led organization where the work is steady, the culture is no-nonsense, and strong performance gets recognizedThe opportunity to bring real leadership to the field on infrastructure projects that matter to the communities they serve

Created: 2026-04-02