Director of Foundations

About the role

The ideal candidate will lead and scale the drill pier foundation division, focusing on high-voltage transmission and substation construction projects in non-union, open-shop markets.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Cook up and coordinate with structural engineers, geotechnical consultants, inspectors, and owners regarding design compliance, RFIs, change orders, and technical submittals.
• Lead projects from startup through closeout.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.
• Able 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.