VP of Utility Construction

Role: VP of Utility Construction

Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

*FireSeeds is partnering with Mach Energy Services on an exclusive retained executive search for this position.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Mach Energy Services is seeking a VP of Utility Construction to build, lead, and scale its Utility Construction division into a high-performing, standalone business unit. This role is central to restoring operational performance, establishing discipline, and driving long-term growth within a division that is currently at an inflection point. The Utility division exists today, but is early-stage and underbuilt. Mach is now making a deliberate investment to transform this group into a fully built, standalone business unit with dedicated leadership, scalable team structure, and a diversified book of work across public and private markets. This leader will operate as a business unit leader, owning the full lifecycle of the business—execution, team building, operational performance, and business development. The mandate is twofold: stabilize the division and build the systems, team, and market presence required to scale. Reporting directly to the CEO (with future alignment under a COO), this individual will take over operational leadership from the current leader of this business unit, who is transitioning into a Project Development role focused on estimating, preconstruction, and controls. This hire represents a shift from opportunistic execution to intentional, accountable leadership. Success in this role requires more than technical expertise. This leader must bring structure without disrupting culture, establish accountability across the team, and build trust with both internal stakeholders and external clients. They will set the standard for how work gets done in the Utility division, developing people, driving performance, and building a repeatable operating model that can scale over time. For the right individual, this is a rare opportunity to build and run a business within a business—with the autonomy, resources, and leadership support to create something meaningful and enduring within a values-driven organization.

CLIENT SUMMARY

Founded in 2016, Mach Energy Services is a values-driven infrastructure construction company headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, with satellite operations in Okarche, OK and Midland, TX. With approximately 500 employees, Mach delivers critical infrastructure solutions across the energy sector—supporting pipeline, facilities, I/E, utility, and pipeline integrity work throughout major U.S. shale basins. From its earliest days, Mach has grown by pairing disciplined execution with a deeply held belief that how infrastructure is built matters just as much as what is built. The company exists to steward people, capital, and opportunity with humility and accountabilit —believing its impact is not achieved through shortcuts or heroics, but through consistent execution, respect for the field, and principled leadership. Mach operates as a highly self performing contractor, executing complex, multi-service-line work across Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and beyond. The company’s capabilities span the full lifecycle of infrastructure construction—from planning and estimating through field execution and closeout—allowing Mach to control quality, safety, and outcomes in the environments where execution matters most. At its core, Mach exists to build infrastructure that fuels communities, economies, and energy security. Without companies like Mach, the systems that power modern life—energy delivery, industrial production, and essential utilities—would not function at scale. Mach takes that responsibility seriously, holding itself to a higher standard of stewardship, safety, and performance. Mach’s culture is anchored in five irreplaceable values: Show Compassion. Have Grit. Do What You Say. Walk Humbly. Do the Right Thing. These values are not aspirational—they are operational. Embedded through the company’s EOS operating cadence, they guide hiring, promotions, accountability, and decision-making at every level of the organization.

Employees describe Mach as purpose-filled. Leadership maintains a strong field-first mindset, emphasizing visibility, respect, and accountability. Quarterly all-hands meetings reinforce transparency and alignment, while ongoing investments in systems, leadership development, and process maturity are positioning the company for its next phase of growth. Over the last several years, Mach has rapidly scaled into a multi–service line organization at a pivotal inflection point. Led by Matt McGee, CEO, the company is intentionally strengthening its operational foundation—investing in people, systems, and leadership—to ensure growth remains disciplined, predictable, and values-aligned. Mach’s people are the backbone of its success. Through servant leadership, operational rigor, and an unwavering commitment to its values, Mach has built a team that takes pride not only in what they build—but in why they build it. The mission of Mach Energy Services is to build infrastructure while faithfully stewarding what God has entrusted—serving people, clients, and communities through disciplined execution, humility, and purpose-driven leadership.

POSITION KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own Full P&L Performance for the Utility Division – Take full accountability for overall financial performance, with a primary focus on restoring operational health and building a sustainable business.
• Stabilize and Drive Project Execution Excellence – Ensure all projects are executed safely, on schedule, and on budget by enforcing discipline around contracts, change orders, billing, and job cost management.
• Build and Lead the Utility Construction Team – Recruit, develop, and lead Project Managers, Superintendents, Foremen, and crews. Establish a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and Execute a Business Development Strategy – Build a diversified pipeline across municipalities, utility districts, general contractors, and private developers, expanding beyond public bid work into negotiated opportunities.
• Drive Estimating and Preconstruction Alignment – Partner closely with Matt Cook and the preconstruction team to ensure accurate bids, competitive positioning, and alignment between estimating assumptions and field execution.
• Implement Scalable Systems and Processes – Establish repeatable systems for project controls, field reporting, crew deployment, and operational cadence to support long-term growth.
• Serve as the Face of the Division – Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, engineers, municipalities, and partners, establishing credibility and positioning Mach as a trusted utility contractor.

Education & Experience

• 10 years of experience in construction, with deep expertise in underground utilities (water, sewer, storm drainage) or related heavy civil infrastructure.
• Proven experience operating in a P&L leadership role, with accountability for financial performance, project outcomes, and team execution.
• Background in wet utilities, pump stations, water treatment plants, or heavy civil infrastructure, ideally within self-performing contractors.
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale teams, including recruiting talent and developing internal leaders—not just inheriting existing organizations.
• Experience working across both public procurement and private negotiated work, with an understanding of how to diversify backlog.
• Strong track record of improving operational discipline, including job cost tracking, change order management, billing processes, and margin protection.
• Experience operating in a growth-oriented environment, with the ability to build structure while maintaining flexibility and speed.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred; practical experience and leadership capability outweigh formal education.

WEEK IN THE LIFE

• Monday starts with the company safety call and an L10 with your project team. After lunch, you're interviewing a Project Manager candidate referred by a trusted industry contact.
• Tuesday, you're in the field walking a job with your superintendent—reviewing progress, coaching a foreman, and ensuring execution aligns with the plan.
• Wednesday morning is spent recruiting—calling a superintendent you've worked with before—followed by a bid review session with preconstruction on a municipal waterline project.
• Thursday includes a meeting with a city engineer on upcoming work, followed by reviewing job cost reports and identifying a project trending off-plan.
• Friday is focused on preparing for project reviews, aligning crew deployment, and ensuring the division is set up for the next two weeks.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Skills & Traits

• Strong financial acumen with the ability to drive accountability around project performance, margin, and cash flow
• Ability to operate as a business leader, not just a project operator—balancing execution, team building, and growth
• Experience in building and maintaining strong customer and client relationships
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Proven ability to lead through influence and accountability, not just authority
• Change agent mindset—able to introduce structure, systems, and discipline without disrupting culture
• High emotional intelligence with strong communication skills across the field, office, and executive leadership
• Organized, disciplined, and process-oriented, with a focus on repeatability and scalability
• Professional presence with strong client-facing credibility and ability to instill confidence quickly
• Self-motivated, entrepreneurial leader who thrives in an environment where they are expected to build, not maintain
• Embodies Mach’s core values: Show Compassion. Have Grit. Do What You Say. Walk Humbly. Do the Right Thing.