Project Manager - Utility Construction

Columbia, South Carolina · On-site$84k – $164k

About this role

Forbes Bros. Group of Companies delivers transmission, distribution, substation, and related power infrastructure projects across Canada and the United States.

Our work spans field construction, project delivery, operations, and corporate support in an environment where safety, execution, and reliability matter.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

This is a field-driven Project Manager role focused on power infrastructure construction.

You will lead projects involving:

  • Electrical distribution systems
  • Transmission line construction
  • Substation construction and upgrades

This is not a general construction or telecom role. Candidates must have direct experience in power or utility construction environments.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Field Execution & Leadership

  • Lead construction execution across distribution, transmission, or substation projects
  • Direct and coordinate crews, subcontractors, and field supervisors
  • Drive daily and weekly work planning on active job sites
  • Resolve field issues in real time to maintain production

Planning, Scheduling & Delivery

  • Develop execution plans and sequencing strategies
  • Coordinate mobilization, access, and utility constraints
  • Monitor schedules and implement recovery plans

Commercial & Cost Management

  • Track costs, production, and quantities
  • Manage subcontractor scope and change orders
  • Identify and mitigate risks impacting budget and schedule

Safety & Compliance

  • Lead site safety and enforce company standards
  • Ensure compliance with utility, environmental, and regulatory requirements

Client & Stakeholder Management

  • Act as the primary point of contact for utility clients
  • Lead project meetings and reporting
  • Coordinate across field, engineering, and internal teams

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE (NON-NEGOTIABLE)

  • 5–10+ years of Project Management experience in power or utility construction
  • Direct experience in at least one of the following:
    • Transmission line construction
    • Electrical distribution systems
    • Substation construction
  • Experience managing field crews and subcontractors on active utility job sites
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Electrical construction scopes
    • Utility standards and constraints
    • Construction sequencing in live environments

Preferred

  • Experience in Southeast U.S. utility environments
  • Experience working with utility owners (Duke, co-ops, etc.)
  • Procore, SAP, MS Project or similar
  • PMP or equivalent

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Location & Travel

  • Must be based in the Southeast U.S. (Charlotte or surrounding region preferred)
  • Approximately 30% travel to active job sites

Compensation & Benefits

  • $83,800 – $163,900 annually (based on experience)
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Full health, dental, vision benefits
  • Paid travel and expenses
  • PTO and vacation

 

Forbes Bros. Group of Companies and its affiliated entities are committed to providing a respectful and accessible recruitment process.

Employment is subject to the requirements of the applicable role, location, project, and employing entity. Depending on the position, this may include verification of work authorization, background screening, driver abstract, drug and alcohol screening, credential verification, client/site access requirements, and other pre-employment conditions permitted by applicable law.

Applicants who require accommodation during the recruitment process are encouraged to contact the recruitment team.

Company at a glance

Forbes Bros. Group of Companies is a North American utility construction contractor specializing in transmission, distribution, substation, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Since 1977, we have grown from a regional contractor into one of the largest privately held power infrastructure contractors in North America, supporting clients across Canada and the United States through complex utility construction and field execution.

Our operations are built around construction delivery. With a large internally owned fleet, specialized transmission equipment, dedicated field mechanics, and experienced project teams, we are structured to execute demanding work safely, efficiently, and at scale.

Today, Forbes Bros. delivers complex transmission, distribution, and substation projects alongside recurring utility maintenance and emergency response work across diverse operating environments. Our teams work in urban centers, remote locations, energized systems, and critical infrastructure corridors where adaptability, execution, and reliability are essential.

As demand for North American power infrastructure continues to grow, we continue to invest in our people, operational capability, and long-term execution capacity across both Canada and the United States.

Founded1976
Team Size501-1,000 employees
WorkspaceOn-site
IndustryConstruction
Location
Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Top Benefits

  • 401(k) with company match
  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Paid travel and expenses
  • Paid time off
  • Vacation

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