Project Executive - Heavy Civil

J.Riley Recruitment is seeking an experienced Project Executive to provide senior-level leadership across complex heavy civil and infrastructure projects in the Baltimore, MD market.

The Project Executive will oversee multiple projects and project teams, with accountability for financial performance, schedule, safety, quality, risk management, client satisfaction, and team development. This position requires a well-rounded construction leader capable of providing strategic direction without losing sight of the people responsible for executing the work.

We are looking for a leader, coach, and manager who can build credibility throughout an organization and work effectively with everyone involved in project delivery, from owners and senior leadership to Project Managers, Superintendents, subcontractors, vendors, and field personnel.

Duties

• Provide executive oversight of multiple heavy civil and infrastructure projects, ensuring successful execution against contractual, financial, schedule, safety, and quality objectives.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Project Managers, Superintendents, and project teams while creating clear expectations and accountability for performance.
• Maintain oversight of project financial performance, including budgets, forecasts, cost controls, cash flow, change management, risk, and profitability.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with owners, public agencies, subcontractors, vendors, design partners, and other project stakeholders.
• Oversee project planning, scheduling, procurement, contract administration, subcontractor strategy, staffing, and resource allocation across assigned projects.
• Champion safety and quality throughout the project portfolio and reinforce disciplined execution across project teams.
• Identify operational, contractual, financial, schedule, and personnel risks early and lead teams in developing practical mitigation strategies.
• Support the resolution of significant project challenges while protecting client relationships and the organization's contractual and financial interests.
• Partner with senior leadership on workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, and the continued development of project leadership.
• Travel to assigned projects and jobsites as required while maintaining a strategic, portfolio-level leadership role.

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive construction experience with significant leadership responsibility for a General Contractor.
• Extensive heavy civil, infrastructure, transportation, public works, or comparable complex civil construction experience.
• Demonstrated success leading large, complex, multimillion-dollar construction projects and/or multiple-project portfolios.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, mentor, and develop Project Managers, Superintendents, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong command of project financials, forecasting, cost controls, scheduling, contracts, procurement, change management, risk management, safety, and quality control.
• Strong client-facing communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to build credibility and productive relationships across all levels of a project organization.
• Ability to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Well-rounded heavy civil experience involving one or more of the following: transportation infrastructure, airports, rail/transit, water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, and other complex civil infrastructure.
• Experience delivering government, public works, or federally funded construction projects.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated leadership style centered on humility, accountability, collaboration, coaching, and team development.

Why Join Our Client

Our client is an established contractor delivering challenging heavy civil and infrastructure projects for public-sector clients. This opportunity provides an experienced construction leader with the ability to oversee complex projects, develop high-performing teams, strengthen client relationships, and directly influence operational results.

The culture places a premium on leadership without ego. The successful Project Executive will be expected to create accountability while remaining approachable, support teams without micromanaging them, and balance profitability with safety, quality, and long-term client satisfaction.

About J.Riley Recruitment

J.Riley Recruitment is THE Veteran-Owned Business connecting Military Veterans and Top Professionals with the Best Companies. Since our founding in 2020, J.Riley Recruitment has leveraged over a decade of Talent Acquisition expertise to deliver exceptional results. Our network extends coast to coast, empowering organizations nationwide to overcome challenges and achieve success.

Built on a foundation of integrity, discipline, and precision, we bring the same operational excellence and adaptability to recruitment that defines top-tier organizations. By understanding our clients' unique challenges and aligning with their goals, we deliver high-performing talent that drives long-term success.