Construction Trades Superintendent

About the role

Our client is a leading specialty contractor delivering complex Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) construction projects across commercial, industrial, healthcare, and mission‑critical environments. With a strong commitment to safety, workforce development, and operational excellence, the organization continues to invest in the people and planning processes that power field execution. This role is central to ensuring the right craft professionals are deployed to the right projects at the right time — directly impacting productivity, quality, and long‑term workforce strength. The Workforce Planning & Development Leader (Field Talent Superintendent) is responsible for strategic manpower planning, skilled trades evaluation, labor forecasting, and craft workforce optimization across multiple large‑scale job sites in the Richmond, VA market. This leader partners closely with Operations, Superintendents, and Project Managers to align workforce strategy with project schedules, ensuring safe, productive, and high‑performing field execution — particularly across complex commercial and data center projects. Our client values safety, integrity, accountability, and workforce development. The organization is committed to building inclusive, high‑performing field teams that reflect the communities it serves and providing long‑term career growth opportunities within the skilled trades.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate skilled trades professionals through interviews, field observation, and performance assessments
• Assign plumbers, pipefitters, pipe welders, electricians, HVAC technicians, and sheet metal mechanics based on project scope and competency level
• Develop 3‑, 6‑, and 12‑month labor forecasts aligned with construction schedules
• Translate project schedules into labor demand curves by trade and skill level
• Identify workforce gaps and support proactive recruiting and pipeline strategies
• Optimize workforce allocation across multiple active job sites
• Partner with the Director of Operations, Superintendents, and Project Managers to align manpower planning with active and upcoming projects
• Support staffing strategies for large‑scale commercial, industrial, and mission‑critical construction projects
• Maintain deep knowledge of self‑perform MEP trades and jobsite productivity standards
• Promote safety, craftsmanship, accountability, and operational excellence
• Ensure fairness and consistency in workforce placement decisions
• Achieve accurate 3‑, 6‑, and 12‑month labor forecasts aligned with project schedules
• Reduce labor shortages and reactive staffing decisions
• Improve productivity across major job sites
• Increase internal promotion rates for field leadership roles
• Strengthen the skilled trades pipeline for long‑term workforce stability
• Demonstrate measurable impact on safety performance and quality outcomes

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience as a Superintendent on large, complex commercial or industrial construction projects
• Strong background in Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) construction
• Experience managing large craft labor forces