What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design-Build Project Manager (Heavy Civil/DOT) position at KCI Construction Company?
The Opportunity
We’re looking for a Design-Build Project Manager to lead pursuits and projects across KCI’s growing St. Louis heavy civil market. This role is ideal for someone who thinks beyond traditional bid-build—someone who can develop winning strategies, collaborate with design and construction partners, and lead projects from concept through completion. You’ll play a key role in Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and CMAR work, helping KCI win and deliver complex infrastructure projects.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
At KCI Construction, you’re not just building projects—you’re building ownership.
Pursuit & Preconstruction Leadership
We’re looking for a Design-Build Project Manager to lead pursuits and projects across KCI’s growing St. Louis heavy civil market. This role is ideal for someone who thinks beyond traditional bid-build—someone who can develop winning strategies, collaborate with design and construction partners, and lead projects from concept through completion. You’ll play a key role in Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and CMAR work, helping KCI win and deliver complex infrastructure projects.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
At KCI Construction, you’re not just building projects—you’re building ownership.
- 100% Employee-Owned (ESOP): You share directly in the company’s success
- Top-Tier Benefits: Competitive pay, bonus opportunities, 401(k), and 100% paid health coverage
- Unlimited PTO: Flexibility to manage work and life in a way that works for you
- St. Louis Impact: Help deliver critical infrastructure across the region—roads, bridges, and water systems that keep communities moving
- Strong Backlog & Stability: Established contractor with deep roots and long-term client relationships
- People-First Culture: We invest in your growth, your voice, and your career path
Pursuit & Preconstruction Leadership
- Lead Design-Build and CMAR pursuits from early strategy through proposal submission
- Analyze RFQs/RFPs to define scope, risks, and win strategy
- Develop pricing approaches, schedules, and technical solutions
- Partner with estimating, operations, and marketing to deliver clear, compelling proposals
- Drive value engineering and constructability input early in the design process
- Build relationships with owners, engineers, and key partners in the St. Louis market
- Transition pursuits into successful projects, maintaining alignment on budget, scope, and risk
- Lead coordination between design teams, field operations, and stakeholders
- Support project teams through design development milestones
- Ensure commitments made during pursuit are clearly communicated and executed
- Mentor team members and support development of estimating and project staff
- Strengthen KCI’s presence in the local heavy civil and alternative delivery market
- Contribute to continuous improvement in pursuit strategy, tools, and delivery methods
- Growth: You’re always improving how work gets pursued and delivered
- Resilience: You thrive in complex, fast-moving pursuits
- Integrity: You build trust through accountability and doing the right thing
- Teamwork: You bring people together to win—and deliver—great work
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field
- 10–15 years of experience in heavy civil, DOT, or infrastructure projects
- Experience with Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, or CMAR delivery methods
- Strong understanding of MoDOT/local agency work and St. Louis market dynamics
- Proven ability to manage both pursuit strategy and project execution
- Deep knowledge of construction means, methods, and cost drivers
- Ability to read and interpret plans, specs, and complex bid documents
- Strong communication skills, including client interaction and proposal input
- Highly organized, accountable, and able to manage multiple priorities
- Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite, HCSS Heavy Bid, BlueBeam, Onscreen Takeoff. Vista is highly desirable.