Assistant Construction Manager

Assistant Construction Manager – Contract-to-Hire

Reading, PA

Our client is seeking an Assistant Construction Manager to support transmission, substation, and utility infrastructure projects throughout the Reading, PA region. This contract-to-hire opportunity offers hands-on involvement in complex electrical utility projects while working alongside experienced project and construction management professionals.

The ideal candidate will assist Senior Project Managers with cost management, project coordination, scheduling, construction oversight, and stakeholder communication across multiple active projects. This role is ideal for someone looking to grow into a full Project Management position within the utility and power delivery industry.

Project Types Include

• Substation rebuilds and conversion projects
  • Ring bus, breaker-and-a-half, double-breaker configurations
  • Terminal upgrades including breakers, relays, and associated equipment
  • Voltage ranges from 34.5kV to 500kV
• Transmission line rebuilds and rehabilitation projects
  • Line switch replacements and customer connections
  • Voltage ranges from 46kV to 138kV
• Communications infrastructure projects
  • RTU replacements
  • Cell antenna and microwave tower upgrades
  • MPLS, ADSS, and OPGW fiber installations
• Generator interconnections
  • Solar
  • Onshore wind
  • Offshore wind
• New transmission customer connections

Project budgets range from small-scale projects ($250K–$1M) to major capital programs exceeding $50M. Most work is performed in active brownfield environments requiring detailed coordination and sequencing.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Senior Project Managers through all phases of project execution
• Assist with managing 10–20 projects simultaneously from initiation through closeout
• Review project scope and support development of project execution plans
• Coordinate outage requests and sequenced work plans with engineering teams and client stakeholders
• Support material and equipment procurement activities
• Assist with environmental and permitting coordination
• Help develop RFP packages, scopes of work, schedules, and bid documentation
• Participate in contractor bid evaluations and award recommendations
• Facilitate pre-construction meetings and ongoing project progress meetings
• Monitor construction activities and support on-site project coordination
• Assist with pre-energization and project closeout activities
• Maintain regular communication with construction teams, subcontractors, and clients
• Work closely with schedulers to maintain detailed Primavera P6 schedules
• Track project budgets, accruals, and monthly financial forecasts
• Navigate client systems for contract management, documentation, and financial reporting
• Report project status, schedule updates, procurement concerns, safety matters, and construction progress to leadership and clients
• Maintain strong communication between field teams, office personnel, and project stakeholders

Work Environment

• Approximately 80% office / 20% field-based
• Frequent interaction with active construction sites
• Travel required within a 1–3 hour radius of the reporting location

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field required
• 2–5 years of construction project management or construction coordination experience preferred
• Utility, transmission line, or substation construction experience preferred but not required
• Strong interest in learning transmission, substations, and telecommunications infrastructure projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
• Experience managing project cost and schedule is a plus
• Primavera P6 experience is beneficial
• PMP certification is a plus but not required
• Valid driver's license required
• Ability to travel to project sites as needed