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Job Description
Position Overview Our client is seeking a highly experienced and results-driven Director of Drill Pier Foundations to lead and scale its drill pier foundation division in support of high-voltage transmission and substation construction projects. This senior leadership role is based out of the Garner, NC office and covers an expansive territory stretching from Maryland to Florida and across the Southern United States, exclusively in non-union, open-shop markets. The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in geotechnical science or construction engineering, has progressed through field and project management roles, and now operates at a regional or divisional leadership level-managing multi-crew portfolios, owning P&L, and maintaining active relationships with major utilities, developers, and EPC contractors. This individual will serve as the primary subject matter expert and operational leader for all drill pier foundation work, responsible for growing the business, building the workforce, and delivering excellence across every project
Territory Coverage Eastern Corridor:
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida Southern Region:
Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and surrounding states
Market Focus:
Non-union / open-shop labor markets exclusively Key Responsibilities Operations & Technical Leadership Provide full operational oversight of all drill pier foundation projects across the assigned territory. Serve as the technical authority on drilled shaft and drill pier installation, including equipment selection, tooling, methodology, and quality assurance. Direct responsibility for crew deployment, staffing levels, and personnel scaling. Review and interpret geotechnical reports, boring logs, soil and rock classifications, and foundation design drawings. Manage drilling operations across all soil and geological conditions. Oversee installation of drilled shafts up to and exceeding 120" in diameter, as well as micropiles, driven H-piles, pipe piles, vibratory caissons, and other deep foundation systems. Develop and implement standardized field procedures, quality control programs, and operational best practices. Coordinate with structural engineers, geotechnical consultants, inspectors, and owners regarding design compliance, RFIs, change orders, and technical submittals. Lead projects from startup through closeout. Business Development & Client Relations Leverage existing relationships with utilities, transmission developers, and EPC contractors to generate and grow business opportunities. Pursue new client relationships and market opportunities throughout the assigned territory. Lead or support proposal development, estimating, scope review, and bid strategy. Serve as the primary client-facing representative for the foundation division. Identify and pursue recurring revenue opportunities through program-level agreements and long-term partnerships. Represent the company at industry conferences, utility forums, and trade events. Workforce & Craft Management Build, develop, and retain a direct-hire craft workforce. Cultivate and maintain relationships with experienced drillers, operators, ironworkers, and laborers. Partner with HR and field leadership to develop recruiting pipelines and retention programs. Develop field supervisors, foremen, and crew leads. Establish workforce planning processes to support changing project demands. Project & Financial Management Own regional P&L performance for the foundation division. Review and approve project budgets, schedules, resource plans, and equipment utilization strategies. Drive production rates, cost-per-unit performance, and project profitability. Manage the full project lifecycle, including estimating, contract review, RFIs, change orders, submittals, quality audits, and closeout. Identify and mitigate project risks. Oversee equipment procurement, fleet management, and maintenance coordination. Safety & Compliance Champion a safety-first culture. Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, client safety requirements, and company safety standards. Lead incident investigations and corrective action programs. Develop and enforce site-specific safety plans and job hazard analyses. Drive continuous improvement in safety performance. Required Qualifications Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in the drill pier/drilled shaft foundation industry. Direct experience supporting electrical transmission and substation construction projects. Experience managing multi-crew, multi-state foundation portfolios with annual revenue responsibility of $20M+. Hands-on experience with drilled shafts, micropiles, driven H-piles, pipe piles, vibratory caissons, and deep foundation systems. Proven ability to install foundations across diverse soil and geological conditions. Established client relationships with utilities, transmission developers, and EPC contractors. Experience managing direct-hire craft employees in open-shop environments. Strong geotechnical interpretation skills. Proven P&L ownership experience. Experience leading project managers, assistant project managers, and field engineers. Strong knowledge of RFIs, change orders, submittals, contracts, and client communications. Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned territory. Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with geophysical methods, electrical resistivity, seismic studies, and subsurface investigations. Experience operating in non-union/open-shop environments. Prior Area Manager, Division Manager, or Director-level experience. Existing relationships with major utility and EPC clients. OSHA 30-Hour Construction Certification. Experience with GPS/survey layout and foundation verification. Familiarity with transmission structures including monopoles, lattice towers, and H-frames.
Location & Travel Office Base:
Garner, NC Travel:
Regional and national travel throughout the assigned territory
Work Environment:
Combination of office leadership and field engagement Compensation & Benefits Competitive base salary Performance-based bonus program Company vehicle or vehicle allowance Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance 401(k) with Company Match Paid Time Off and Company Holidays Full Business Travel Expense Reimbursement About Our Client Our client is a growing powerline construction company specializing in transmission and distribution infrastructure throughout the Eastern and Southern United States. The organization is building a best-in-class foundation division and is seeking a proven leader to help drive growth, execution, and operational excellence. Their culture is built on safety, accountability, craftsmanship, and long-term relationships with both clients and employees
