Project Manager – Wet Utilities

Kimmel & Associates

. Oversee multiple grading and wet utility projects from contract execution through final closeout .

Posted 9/28/2026full-timeTemecula • California • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $140,000 - $160,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in managing grading and wet utility projects, ensuring profitability, schedule adherence, and quality standards. Proficient in financial management, including job costing, budgeting, and contract negotiation within the civil construction sector.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Project ManagementWet Utilities ConstructionFinancial ManagementContract NegotiationMentoring Project Engineers

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Job CostingWIP ReportingBudgetingCost-To-Complete ForecastingChange ManagementProject BillingGradingEarthworkSite DevelopmentRisk Management

Soft Skills

CommunicationRelationship BuildingCollaborative Problem SolvingMentoring

Industry Keywords

Heavy Civil SubcontractorSpecialty ContractorMilitary ConstructionK–12 EducationHigher EducationPharmaceutical ConstructionHigh-Density Residential ConstructionTemecula CountySan Diego County

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Oversee multiple grading and wet utility projects from contract execution through final closeout
Own project profitability, accuracy, and client relationships
Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to quality standards
Manage approximately $6–8 million in combined project backlog with a target gross profit margin of 28% or higher
Negotiate and administer contracts with clients, subcontractors, and vendors in coordination with the President
Manage concurrent projects while maintaining profitability, schedule performance, and budget targets
Partner with Superintendents and Foremen to meet plans, specifications, safety requirements, and project KPIs
Lead change management, including pricing and timely billing of change orders
Oversee project billing, WIP reporting, and cost-to-complete forecasting
Develop and monitor project budgets, prepare monthly Cost at Completion reports, and approve weekly job cost invoices
Review daily field reports for cost code accuracy, budget performance, and schedule progress
Conduct weekly job cost reviews with Superintendents and Foremen
Participate in project turnover meetings and understand contract terms, scope, plans, specifications, exclusions, and estimator agreements
Coordinate procurement and ordering of long-lead materials and equipment
Maintain project documentation, including submittals, RFIs, change orders, meeting minutes, QC/QA reports, as-builts, and closeout packages
Manage, mentor, and develop Project Engineers
Identify, understand, and manage project risks while protecting the interests of all parties
Collaborate with the Director of Project Management and Director of Field Operations within the established escalation structure, with access to the President when needed

Requirements

What you’ll need

Proven experience as a Project Manager with a heavy civil subcontractor or specialty contractor
General contractor/prime contractor backgrounds alone will not be considered
Strong knowledge of wet utilities, particularly water, sewer, and storm drain construction
Grading, earthwork, and site development experience is preferred
Demonstrated experience negotiating contracts and taking ownership of project gross profit margins
Strong financial management skills, including job costing, WIP reporting, billing, budgeting, and cost-to-complete forecasting
Experience managing multiple concurrent projects and overseeing combined backlogs
Ability to mentor and develop Project Engineers
Experience with projects involving military, K–12 and higher education, pharmaceutical/laboratory commercial, and high-density residential construction is beneficial
Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to maintain firm positions while working collaboratively
Ability to manage projects throughout Temecula and San Diego County
Candidates based in Temecula Valley, Murrieta, or the Inland Empire are preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual profit-based bonus opportunity of up to approximately $10,000
Medical insurance coverage for employees
Two weeks of paid time off, with three weeks negotiable
Six paid holidays
Opportunity to join a family-owned organization with long-tenured leadership and a relationship-driven culture
Hybrid arrangements involving 2–3 office days per week may be considered for the right candidate