THE OPPORTUNITY

Blackstone Utilities is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead telecom construction projects across the greater Chicago area. This role owns project performance from planning through closeout, including safety, schedule, production, customer commitments, financial results, quality, and team accountability. The Project Manager leads Construction Managers and coordinates field operations, customers, subcontractors, municipalities, and internal support functions to deliver predictable results.

WHAT YOU WILL OWN

• Own project scope, schedule, budget, forecast, margin, cash flow, billing readiness, and closeout.
• Translate customer commitments and contract requirements into executable production plans, milestones, and weekly priorities.
• Lead and hold Construction Managers accountable for safety, staffing, productivity, quality, restoration, documentation, and schedule performance.
• Build and maintain project schedules, production forecasts, cost-to-complete projections, risk registers, and recovery plans.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for customers; communicate progress, constraints, changes, and corrective actions clearly and promptly.
• Review contracts, plans, permits, specifications, unit pricing, and change conditions; document and pursue approved change orders and additional compensation.
• Coordinate permitting, locates, materials, subcontractors, traffic control, inspections, testing, restoration, and other project dependencies.
• Ensure daily production, labor, equipment, material, as-built, redline, photo, and closeout records are complete and accurate.
• Lead weekly project reviews covering safety, schedule, production, cost, billing, quality, staffing, risks, and commitments.
• Partner with the Director of Operations to improve operating systems, reporting, accountability, and scalable execution.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Projects meet customer commitments while protecting safety, quality, margin, and cash flow.
• Forecasts, schedules, production reporting, and billing documentation are timely and reliable.
• Construction Managers understand priorities, own measurable commitments, and resolve field issues quickly.
• Customer relationships strengthen through proactive communication and dependable delivery.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior success in a comparable Project Manager role within telecom, OSP fiber, underground utility, or related construction.
• Demonstrated responsibility for project financials, scheduling, customer communication, change management, and field execution.
• Working knowledge of underground and aerial telecom construction, restoration, permitting, utility locates, safety, and quality controls.
• Ability to lead multiple projects and field teams in a fast-moving environment with clear follow-through and accountability.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and construction/project reporting systems.
• Valid driver's license and ability to visit jobsites throughout the greater Chicago area.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with FTTH, directional drilling, conduit, fiber placement, splicing coordination, and municipal work.
• Experience managing subcontractors, unit-based contracts, customer scorecards, and production-driven billing.
• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, business, or a related field; equivalent field leadership experience will be considered.
• OSHA 30 or comparable construction safety training.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• $120,000-$135,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
• Health insurance allowance; details provided during the interview process.
• Two weeks of paid time off.
• Local Chicago-area role with no overnight travel expected.

Job Overview Pay:

$120,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Paid time off

Work Location:

In person