Deputy Area Manager

GFT • Charlotte, NC

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

GFT is seeking a Deputy Area Manager to join our Construction Services Team in Charlotte, NC! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Charlotte office.

What You'll Be Challenged to Do
Area and Operations Leadership
Support the Area Manager in the leadership and growth of transportation construction management operations throughout North Carolina. Assist in managing staff utilization, workforce planning, recruiting, resource allocation, and overall operational performance. Help establish and implement strategic growth initiatives aligned with company and regional business goals. Foster a culture of safety, quality, collaboration, and client service excellence. Support hiring efforts, staff development programs, performance evaluations, and succession planning initiatives. Mentor project managers, resident engineers, inspectors, and construction management personnel to support professional growth and advancement.

Construction Management and Project Delivery
Serve as Resident Engineer, Construction Manager, Project Manager, or Deputy Project Manager on major transportation infrastructure projects. Lead and oversee project teams responsible for: Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) Resident Engineering Construction Inspection Construction Contract Administration Quality Assurance and Quality Control Materials Testing Coordination Cost and Schedule Management Change Order Management Document Control Utility Coordination Environmental Compliance Monitoring Public Involvement and Stakeholder Coordination
Manage transportation construction projects
Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with NCDOT specifications, standards, policies, procedures, and contract requirements. Monitor project schedules, budgets, staffing needs, risks, and construction progress to ensure successful project execution. Lead project meetings and coordinate with clients, contractors, utility owners, regulatory agencies, and design teams. Resolve complex construction issues involving contract interpretation, claims avoidance, schedule impacts, quality deficiencies, unforeseen conditions, and stakeholder concerns. Review and evaluate contractor requests, change orders, supplemental agreements, time extensions, and claims documentation.

Client Management and Business Development
Maintain and strengthen relationships with NCDOT personnel, local municipalities, regional transportation agencies, and industry partners. Serve as a primary client contact for ongoing projects and program assignments. Support business development efforts including opportunity identification, client outreach, strategic planning, proposal development, interviews, and contract negotiations. Assist in developing and implementing win strategies for transportation and construction management pursuits throughout North Carolina. Leverage professional relationships and industry networks to identify and secure new opportunities.

Technical Leadership
Provide technical leadership and guidance on transportation construction management best practices. Participate in constructability reviews, risk assessments, schedule evaluations, and cost reviews during project development. Support design teams by providing construction expertise related to sequencing, traffic control, maintenance of traffic, utility conflicts, construction phasing, and contractor means and methods. Maintain a high standard of technical quality across all assigned projects and programs. Promote continuous improvement initiatives and implementation of innovative construction delivery practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in transportation construction management, construction engineering, or project delivery.
• Demonstrated experience delivering major NCDOT highway, roadway, and bridge construction projects.
• Experience managing large, multi-disciplinary project teams, including subconsultants and contractors.
• Strong understanding of: NCDOT construction policies and procedures, NCDOT Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, Construction contract administration, CEI services, Quality assurance programs, Transportation project delivery methods including Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build.
• Experience managing project budgets, schedules, staffing, and client relationships.
• Proven leadership, communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong business development and client management experience.
• Ability to travel throughout North Carolina and attend project sites as required.
• Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in North Carolina or ability to obtain through reciprocity.
• NCDOT roadway and bridge construction administration experience.
• Experience serving as Resident Engineer, Senior Construction Manager, Area Manager, or Program Manager on major transportation infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with: NCDOT Contract Administration Systems, Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, Construction management and project controls software platforms.
• Experience supporting alternative delivery projects, including Design-Build and CM/GC.
• Active involvement in transportation industry organizations and professional associations within North Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Support the Area Manager in the leadership and growth of transportation construction management operations throughout North Carolina.
• Assist in managing staff utilization, workforce planning, recruiting, resource allocation, and overall operational performance.
• Help establish and implement strategic growth initiatives aligned with company and regional business goals.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, collaboration, and client service excellence.
• Support hiring efforts, staff development programs, performance evaluations, and succession planning initiatives.
• Mentor project managers, resident engineers, inspectors, and construction management personnel to support professional growth and advancement.
• Serve as Resident Engineer, Construction Manager, Project Manager, or Deputy Project Manager on major transportation infrastructure projects.
• Lead and oversee project teams responsible for: Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI), Resident Engineering, Construction Inspection, Construction Contract Administration, Quality Assurance and Quality Control, Materials Testing Coordination, Cost and Schedule Management, Change Order Management, Document Control, Utility Coordination, Environmental Compliance Monitoring, Public Involvement and Stakeholder Coordination.
• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with NCDOT specifications, standards, policies, procedures, and contract requirements.
• Monitor project schedules, budgets, staffing needs, risks, and construction progress to ensure successful project execution.
• Lead project meetings and coordinate with clients, contractors, utility owners, regulatory agencies, and design teams.
• Resolve complex construction issues involving contract interpretation, claims avoidance, schedule impacts, quality deficiencies, unforeseen conditions, and stakeholder concerns.
• Review and evaluate contractor requests, change orders, supplemental agreements, time extensions, and claims documentation.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with NCDOT personnel, local municipalities, regional transportation agencies, and industry partners.
• Serve as a primary client contact for ongoing projects and program assignments.
• Support business development efforts including opportunity identification, client outreach, strategic planning, proposal development, interviews, and contract negotiations.
• Assist in developing and implementing win strategies for transportation and construction management pursuits throughout North Carolina.
• Leverage professional relationships and industry networks to identify and secure new opportunities.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on transportation construction management best practices.
• Participate in constructability reviews, risk assessments, schedule evaluations, and cost reviews during project development.
• Support design teams by providing construction expertise related to sequencing, traffic control, maintenance of traffic, utility conflicts, construction phasing, and contractor means and methods.
• Maintain a high standard of technical quality across all assigned projects and programs.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives and implementation of innovative construction delivery practices.

Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior