Area Manager

The Area Manager provides overall direction to the project managers and guidance to the operational activities of the area, delivering day-to-day leadership and management of the company’s operations functions. This role promotes a highly respectful, ethical, and safe place to work. The Area Manager manages the financial and business administration aspects (P&L) while supporting the operational teams on all projects in an operational region and for assigned customers, and is responsible for the financial and safety performance of the projects assigned. This position reports directly to the Vice President.

Whitaker Holdings is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) family of companies with over 70 years of experience in heavy civil construction, underground utilities, and telecommunications. Whitaker Holdings encompasses multiple companies, including Whitaker Construction, DasCo of Idaho, Advanced Cable Technology, and Bighorn Traffic Services. Operating across Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, Oregon, and beyond, our companies are united by four core values — Value Safety, Embrace Ownership, Be Honorable, and Elevate Team — which guide how we work, how we treat each other, and how we deliver quality results on some of the most challenging projects in the region.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Including but not limited to the list below.

- Champion Whitaker’s Vision, Mission, and Core Values in every action and decision: Value Safety, Embrace Ownership, Be Honorable, and Elevate Team.

- Provide leadership to the operations area, demonstrating knowledge, experience, and maturity through the management and execution of goals and objectives for accomplishing projects within the region.

- Ensure revenue and profit expectations are achieved per identified plans and budgets.

- Establish and manage the goals and objectives of each project, and support proper utilization of personnel and equipment.

- Lead end-to-end contract processes, including contracts, change orders, and project closeout.

- Develop strategies to ensure subcontract and change order negotiations align with business initiatives and objectives.

- Evaluate change orders for conformity with contract requirements and specifications, make recommendations, and consult on specifications for projects, equipment, and facilities.

- Adhere to performance goals, operations reviews, project reviews, and formal auditing processes (project QA plans, OQ requirements, pre-plans, project plans, post-job reviews, etc.).

- Oversee the preparation of project status reports and provide regular updates to senior management.

- Provide input and direction to planning, scheduling, and other support functions as required.

- Work with employees at all levels of the business, focusing on the enhancement of core competencies throughout the organization.

- Assess the competency of direct reports and ensure development requirements are in place and actively managed.

- Ensure safety systems are actively managed and producing continuous improvement to eliminate unsafe conditions and behaviors.

- Communicate safety goals with the team.

- Ensure safety is operationalized and integrated into all work, constantly driving to identify best practices and share them across the organization.

- Assure all job-specific qualifications and certifications are current, by employee and by customer.

- Support business development, sales, and market growth in the area.

- Manage relationships with existing customers and leverage them to acquire potential new customers.

- Participate in the development and execution of business strategies with other Area Managers and/or Senior Leadership.

- Develop and execute specific strategies that advance Whitaker’s market position in an assigned region.

- Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by supervisors.

Skills and Qualifications:

- A minimum of eight (8) years of construction management experience required.

- Engineering, Construction Management, or Business Management degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Previous leadership of an assigned area with Profit & Loss responsibility is required.

- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, specifications, and contracts.

- Strong leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.

- Professional ethics, tact, and courtesy in dealing with management, team members, vendors, and internal and external customers.

- Ability to work independently and effectively in a team environment.

- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to get to and from work.

Physical Requirements:

- Able and willing to work long hours including day, night, and weekend shifts as needed, and work outside of normal hours.

- Able to sit, walk, lift, reach, stoop, stand, grasp, balance, climb, kneel, crouch, and lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.

- Able to work in outside environments being subjected to weather changes, noise, vibrations, and job hazards.

- Able to travel to project sites throughout the assigned region as needed.

Whitaker Construction offers an exceptional benefits package including:

- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Employees earn shares in the company – All employees have ownership in the company and its success.

- Competitive wages.

- Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Short Term Disability, Supplemental Insurance.

- 401K and Match.

- Paid Holidays.

- Paid Personal Days.

- Quarterly Incentive Program (profit sharing).

- Referral Bonuses.

- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The ADA defines “reasonable accommodation” as a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job, and does not cause an undue hardship for the employer.

Whitaker Construction is an “equal opportunity employer.” Whitaker will not discriminate and will take “affirmative action” measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex.

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.