Program Manager – Hydro Excavation & Utility Locating

About this role

## Program Manager – Hydro Excavation & Utility Locating

Riverside, California

**ID**j-3635

**Job Type**Direct Hire

**Compensation**$140000 - $180000 / yr

# Program Manager – Hydro Excavation & Utility Locating

## Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced **Program Manager – Hydro Excavation & Utility Locating** to lead, build, and grow a specialized underground utility services division throughout Southern California.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership position combining **operations management, project management, business development, estimating, financial performance, fleet management, and strategic growth**.

The Program Manager will oversee multiple **hydrovac trucks, utility locating crews, field supervisors, and underground support operations** while developing relationships with utility owners, municipalities, heavy civil contractors, and engineering firms.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in **hydro excavation, utility locating, underground utilities, or heavy civil construction** and understands how to build a safe, productive, and profitable field operation.

## Key Responsibilities

### Operations Leadership

* Lead day-to-day operations of the Hydro Excavation & Utility Locating Division. * Manage multiple hydrovac trucks, utility locating crews, operators, field supervisors, and support personnel. * Coordinate manpower, equipment, trucks, and project schedules across multiple active jobs. * Develop daily and weekly schedules that maximize **crew productivity and fleet utilization**. * Monitor project execution to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget. * Coordinate hydro excavation and locating activities with active heavy civil and underground utility construction operations. * Develop and implement operating procedures that support consistent execution and continued growth. * Identify operational bottlenecks and implement improvements to increase efficiency and profitability. * Support emergency and priority utility response operations when required.

### Project & Financial Management

* Oversee multiple projects and service contracts simultaneously. * Develop annual budgets, revenue forecasts, and operating plans for the division. * Monitor job costs, labor productivity, equipment utilization, revenue, margins, and profitability. * Review project financial performance and identify corrective actions when costs or production deviate from expectations. * Establish and track operational KPIs for crews, equipment, and projects. * Support estimating, pricing, proposals, and contract negotiations. * Review labor, equipment, disposal, travel, and operational costs when developing project pricing. * Maintain accurate forecasting for staffing, fleet requirements, and future workload.

### Business Development & Growth

* Take an active role in expanding the division's customer base and revenue. * Develop relationships with: + Utility Companies + Municipalities + Public Agencies + Heavy Civil Contractors + Underground Utility Contractors + General Engineering Contractors + Engineering & Consulting Firms * Identify new hydro excavation, utility locating, and underground support opportunities. * Develop proposals and pricing for new and existing clients. * Expand service capabilities and identify complementary revenue opportunities. * Participate in client meetings, networking, and business development activities. * Partner with executive leadership on **market expansion, fleet growth, capital investments, and strategic planning**.

### Client Management

* Serve as a primary point of contact for key customers and contracts. * Develop long-term relationships with utility owners, contractors, municipalities, and engineering firms. * Coordinate project schedules and customer requirements. * Resolve field and operational issues quickly and professionally. * Manage customer expectations regarding schedule, production, safety, and project execution. * Identify opportunities for additional services and repeat business.

### Team Development

* Recruit, train, mentor, and retain field and operations personnel. * Provide leadership to Project Managers, Supervisors, Hydrovac Operators, Utility Locators, and field crews. * Establish clear expectations for safety, productivity, customer service, and accountability. * Develop future supervisors and operational leaders as the division grows. * Build staffing plans based on current workload and projected growth.

## Core Service Experience

Candidates with experience in the following areas are highly preferred:

* Hydro Excavation * Hydrovac Operations * Utility Locating * Potholing / Daylighting * Vacuum Excavation * Pole Excavation * Utility Exposure * Underground Utility Construction * Water & Sewer Utilities * Gas Utilities * Electrical Utilities * Telecommunications * Utility Coordination * Trenching & Excavation * Underground Infrastructure * Emergency Utility Response * Heavy Civil Construction

## Safety & Compliance

The Program Manager will be responsible for maintaining a strong safety and compliance culture throughout the division.

Candidates should have knowledge of:

* OSHA Requirements * Excavation & Trenching Safety * Underground Service Alert / 811 / DigAlert * Utility Owner Requirements * Environmental Compliance * Traffic Control Requirements * Public Works Requirements * Client-Specific Safety Programs * Incident Reporting * Job Hazard Analysis / JHA * Field Documentation * Equipment & Fleet Safety

The Program Manager will ensure field teams maintain required safety documentation, environmental records, project reporting, incident documentation, and quality standards.

## Required Qualifications

* **7+ years of experience** in heavy civil construction, underground utilities, hydro excavation, utility locating, or related infrastructure services. * Demonstrated experience managing multiple field crews and projects simultaneously. * Strong understanding of underground utility construction and excavation operations. * Experience managing project schedules, budgets, job costs, and financial performance. * Strong knowledge of field production, equipment utilization, and workforce planning. * Proven ability to lead and develop field and operations personnel. * Strong customer relationship and communication skills. * Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced field-services environment. * Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities. * Valid driver's license required.

## Preferred Qualifications

* Direct management experience in **hydro excavation / hydrovac operations**. * Utility locating experience. * Underground utility construction experience. * Experience working with major utility owners. * Public utility contract experience. * Southern California utility market experience. * Heavy civil construction background. * Emergency response experience. * Fleet management experience. * Estimating and proposal development experience. * Business development experience. * Experience building or expanding a construction or utility services division.

## Financial & Operational Expertise

The ideal candidate will have experience with:

* Division / Program Budgeting * Revenue Forecasting * Job Costing * Profitability Analysis * Project Cost Control * Labor Productivity * Fleet Utilization * Equipment Cost Management * Workforce Planning * Project Scheduling * KPI Development & Tracking * Estimating & Pricing * Proposal Development * Contract Management

## Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a **builder and operator**, not simply someone to maintain an existing operation.

The successful candidate will be comfortable moving between **field operations, financial management, customer relationships, estimating, and business development**.

One day may involve reviewing fleet utilization and job profitability; another may require resolving a field issue with a hydrovac crew, meeting with a utility client, recruiting a new supervisor, or developing pricing for a major service contract.

This person should have the entrepreneurial mindset to treat the division like a business while having the construction knowledge to understand how the work is actually performed in the field.

## What Success Looks Like

Within the first year, the Program Manager will be expected to:

* Successfully manage multiple hydro excavation and utility locating crews. * Improve hydrovac fleet utilization and crew productivity. * Establish consistent operating procedures and performance standards. * Strengthen relationships with existing utility and contractor clients. * Develop new customer relationships and revenue opportunities. * Expand hydro excavation and utility locating capabilities. * Recruit and develop a strong field and operations team. * Improve project visibility through meaningful KPIs and financial reporting. * Increase division revenue and profitability. * Maintain high standards for safety, quality, and customer service.

## Location

**Southern California**

Regional travel to active projects, client locations, offices, and construction yards will be required.

## Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to do more than manage projects — you'll have the ability to **build and grow an entire business unit**.

You'll have direct influence over **operations, people, fleet, customers, estimating, revenue, profitability, and strategic growth**, with the resources and leadership support needed to expand a specialized hydro excavation and utility locating operation throughout Southern California.