Senior Operations Manager - Utility Construction

Centuri Group, Inc.•Manassas, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Centuri Group is comprised of a family of companies that make up a utility infrastructure enterprise, operating throughout the US and Canada, safely delivering gas, electric and utility services to our customers and the community. We help you build your career on Solid Ground by investing in your development and valuing your unique skills, perspective, and background. Employees are the lifeblood of our organization, and we’re committed to providing a stable foundation to continuously grow and thrive. We’ve got work for the next 100 years - All we need is you! The Senior Operations Manager – Utility Construction serves as a key operating partner to the Director of Operations and provides leadership oversight across multiple utility construction projects, crews, and field leaders. This role bridges field operations, financial performance, compliance, and people leadership to ensure work is delivered safely, efficiently, and profitably. This position is intentionally designed for a leader who can operate at both the strategic and execution levels.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred
10–15 years of experience in utility construction, gas distributionor infrastructure construction
Experience managing multiple projects or programs simultaneously
Strong knowledge of job costing, forecasting, budgeting, and contract management
Ability to analyze and interpret financial reports, operational metrics, and performance data
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence without authority
Ability to manage change and lead through evolving business environments

Responsibilities

Track, analyze, and influence job cost performance, forecasting, margin protection, and productivity across multiple crews and programs
Review budgets, burn rates, labor strategies, and cost-to-complete forecasts for accuracy and performance
Partner with the Director of Operations on contract administration, change orders, revenue recognition, and dispute resolution
Translate financial and operational data into clear, actionable decisions for field and leadership teams
Support business planning, forecasting cycles, and performance reporting
Serve as an escalation point for Superintendents
Standardize execution across crews related to safety, scheduling, reporting, documentation, and compliance
Ensure projects meet customer, municipality, regulatory, and internal performance expectations
Monitor project progress to ensure alignment with schedules, budgets, and quality standards
Coach, develop, and performance-manage senior field leaders, including long-tenured employees
Address performance issues objectively and consistently, removing decision-making driven by familiarity or legacy practices
Identify leadership gaps, succession risks, and development opportunities
Serve as a trusted advisor to the Director of Operations and support leadership decision-making
Drive adoption and effective use of systems and tools, including SAP, Excel-based reporting, and operational dashboards
Analyze procedures and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, accountability, and transparency
Champion modernization initiatives aligned with evolving business and regulatory expectations
Other duties as requested by leadership