Business Manager

Graham is an employee-owned construction solutions partner that services the buildings, industrial, infrastructure, water and project finance sectors. We deliver lasting value for our clients through meticulous planning and scheduling, while upholding rigorous safety and quality standards. With offices throughout North America, our passionate and knowledgeable teams deliver projects that enable communities to thrive and people to live, work, move and grow in a rapidly changing world. With over nine decades of experience, Graham has the resources, capacity and expertise to undertake projects of every scope, scale and complexity. Join our team to deliver a better tomorrow.

We are seeking top-tier talent to join our Maintenance and Turnaround division and build innovative projects in the oil, gas, petrochemical, renewable energy, power, mining, forestry, underground, heavy construction, maintenance, turnarounds and sustaining capital sectors. As a member of this collaborative team, you can expect a safe, diverse and inclusive environment, and on-going learning and career development opportunities.
 

Summary 

The main objective of this role is to oversee the operational and financial health and success of the specified projects and overall portfolio. This role places emphasis on margin enhancement and demonstrates knowledge in pre-construction, construction and post construction activities, as it relates to projects, maintenance and turnarounds and the interaction of corporate services within each phase, taking a project or contract from cradle to grave. This experience and knowledge is used to identify gaps and continuous improvement opportunities within the operations, to directly and indirectly impact the bottom line performance of the contracts and overall portfolio. 

This role demands strong leadership skills, communication (oral and written) and business acumen, to develop and sustain relationships both internally and externally.  This involves strategic client communication including tactful negotiation and writing skills and stakeholder engagement; inclusive of suppliers, Indigenous community leads and labour resource associations, to name a few.  Compliance and communication of contractual obligations, at all levels of operations, is a key aspect of this position and maximizing opportunities within the parameters of the contract an ongoing focus.

This role exemplifies the company value and cultivates a positive and collaborative culture, driving business strategies, and fostering strong relationships in all interactions.

A background in construction management or related fields, coupled with extensive experience in project controls, finance, business, law, commercial management or engineering, is essential for success in this role.

Essential Functions 

Execution 

• Engage Preconstruction in preparing, revising, and monitoring cost reports for developing project budgets, and support estimating processes to determine and mitigate risks.
• Support project administration, operations, and managers, including resolving subcontractor disputes and ensuring secure, safe, and respectful project sites.
• Ensure project schedules, milestone dates, and closeout checklists are prepared and maintained, and maintain the cost reporting system for all project components, in conjunction with Project Controls.
• Establish communication tools and relationships with suppliers and key personnel to verify timely delivery of materials and resources, reallocating as necessary.
• Approve and communicate performance standards and metrics for teams, and chair project meetings, ensuring quality of meeting minutes.
• Negotiate and select subcontractors to ensure capability, scope coverage, and best value, and review project execution plans with Superintendent and Manager.
• Prepare the Monthly Project Report, review project production, cost, and schedule weekly, and benchmark efficiency and effectiveness of project activities.
• Review RFQ/RFP or bid/tender documentation, making recommendations to management and conducting Prime Contract reviews to identify risks/opportunities. Ensure compliance and address risks in submissions, liaising with Risk Management and Legal as needed.
• Manage commercial administration and financial operations, mentoring the project team for contractual compliance. Review and report on financial metrics, including Cash Positions, Revenue Projections, Cost Control/Projections, Profit & Loss Reports, and Risk & Opportunity functions.
• Ensure procedural compliance, providing training and mentoring on scopes of work, change management, and claims preparation. Defend and evaluate claims, ensuring substantiation and quantification.
• Implement and track risk-management processes, supporting project profitability and financial schedule with accurate reporting to management.
• Lead contract close-out, warranty compliance, and specific projects/initiatives, overseeing system and practice improvements.
• Develop and integrate metrics and KPIs into global project and portfolio reporting, and communicate standard practices and procedures. Collaborate with Operations and Corporate Services, review adherence to procedures, and manage improvement roadmap.

Planning and Process 

• Oversee all project estimates, tenders, submissions, and manage a portfolio of varying project types.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of organizational and responsibility matrices at project start.
• Direct and approve project resources (e.g., personnel, tools, equipment, materials, services) and communicate schedule and client satisfaction measurements to team members.
• Develop and present regular status reports for executives and steering committees, detailing project status and recommended actions, including variance reports and notes.
• Review all project reporting for proper coding and cost allocation, oversee forecasts, and ensure proper material procurement and expediting in conjunction with SCM.
• Support subcontractor procurement processes and ensure implementation of commercial processes and procedures.
• Oversee project contracts and commercial performance to maximize margins and align with Senior Leadership strategies.
• Advise and report regularly to management on contractual, commercial, risk, and opportunity matters, liaising with Legal and Risk Management as needed.
• Provide contractual and commercial support and direction to project teams, including during pre-construction and execution phases.
• Participate in or advise on post-tender pre-contract negotiations, ensuring proper project planning, scheduling, staffing, cost control, and management.
• Ensure project team understands deliverables and obligations of the Prime Contract, supporting Project Controls planning, budgeting, scheduling, and document management.
• Take dedicated responsibility for large initiatives and work directly with project teams to develop plans and processes.
• Direct and approve system adherence to business requirements, present procedures and findings to teams, managers, and clients, and identify gaps in processes to suggest improvements.

Financial Accountabilities

• Develop and recommend short-term operating budgets and assist the Operations Director with long-term planning.
• Understand owner's contract requirements, including bonds, fees, notifications, schedules, reporting, and costs.
• Make Level 3 commitments (contractual, spending, or purchasing) on behalf of the company as per the Corporate Authority Matrix.
• Monitor and track equipment and resources inventory, ensuring regular review of labour, equipment, material, and subtrade costs.
• Contribute to project estimating, including scope determination, subcontractor selection, pre-award planning, and costing.
• Complete and review monthly margin forecasts with the Manager, and ensure issuance and approval of documentation for pricing and change administration.
• Oversee progress invoicing, collection of receivables, and report regularly on Cash Management, Cost Control/Projections, Profit & Loss Reports, Projections & Budgets, and Risk & Opportunity functions.
• Delegate tasks as necessary, intervening when issues arise or high-profile considerations are identified, and provide solid information to decision-makers.
• Raise awareness and concern about issues that may affect financials.

Client Focus 

• Oversee and understand commitments and associated risks made to clients, ensuring integrity and support for the company’s values and employees.
• Establish and maintain relationships with public and private sector clients, construction joint-venture partners, financing partners, key subcontractors, design teams, suppliers, and user groups that reflect and support Graham’s core values.
• Negotiate skillfully with internal and external parties, winning concessions without damaging relationships, and act to resolve disputes with owners or subcontractors before escalating to the Manager.
• Actively participate in industry, client, and community relations to enhance and promote Graham, and work to improve its public perception.
• Ensure project staff understand and appropriately apply the company’s operating policies and practices.
• Provide direction, coaching, mentoring, performance reviews, and recommend advancement or dismissal of personnel reporting to the Senior Project Manager.
• Manage customer experience, ensuring positive relationships and integrating customer service into the project. Monitor customer satisfaction through direct and indirect methods, maintaining up-to-date customer intelligence and proactively addressing issues and concerns.
• Establish regular contact with customers, keeping them informed of progress and ensuring their questions are promptly addressed, escalating when necessary.
• Display a desire to help the project team with efficient support and advice, collaborating with peers and other Corporate Services teams.
• Seek new business opportunities on existing footprints through expanded service offerings.
• Identify performance measures and drive improvements, collaborating with internal and external clients to maintain effective relationships.

HSEQ 

• Demonstrate HSE and Quality behaviors that reflect corporate expectations of Actively Caring and Road to Zero, taking personal responsibility for the health and safety of oneself, others, visitors, the community, and the environment.
• Monitor and measure HSE goals and expectations using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), ensuring compliance with client requirements, Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, and applicable government laws.
• Ensure that Quality KPI data for projects is documented, and lead, promote, and maintain a positive safety culture within the team.
• Review all incidents, incident mitigation plans, and strategies, including WCB claims and modified work incidents that may impact cost.
• Contribute to the development of the safety rewards program, associated budget, and participate in safety recognition activities.

Key Success Factors and Capabilities

Leadership 

• Support and empower Project Managers and direct reports to execute projects on time and on budget, demonstrating strategic focus and a compelling vision towards project completion.
• Manage multiple Project Managers or Site Managers and projects (project portfolio), ensuring positive customer relationships and maintaining an active role in client management.
• Demonstrate superior leadership skills by facing challenges, solving problems, motivating others, and creating a culture of accountability with clear expectations and responsibilities.
• Build and develop the team and self through challenging assignments, development plans, ongoing feedback, and recruitment of the best available talent to meet current and future requirements.
• Demonstrate a forward-looking view of team development and growth with the company's and individuals' best interests in mind.
• Show enthusiasm, willingness to learn, positive attitude, and commitment to teamwork, maintaining effective relationships by meeting or exceeding customer requirements and expectations.
• Listen to project concerns, balancing controls and effort based on project risk, and coach and mentor team and project staff.

Driven 

• Bring energy and perseverance to the pursuit of goals, following through on commitments and creating a culture of accountability with clear expectations and responsibilities tied to project priorities.
• Build and develop people and self through challenging assignments, achievable development plans, and ongoing feedback.
• Lead teams from multiple functional and discipline backgrounds, demonstrating professionalism, accountability, and stewardship of the company's mission, vision, and values.
• Continuously drive business strategy forward at all levels of the organization.
Operational Excellence 

• Oversee the operation of multiple teams in the bidding and building of projects, assuming responsibility for the profit/loss performance of the project portfolio.
• Utilize market-specific experience in bidding, project execution, and resource allocation, demonstrating expert knowledge of the construction business.
• Access and leverage the expertise of others to solve problems and maximize project efficiencies, maintaining a strong understanding of functional groups and their interrelated processes and procedures.
• Assess processes to identify efficiencies or root causes of issues, juggle multiple priorities, and solve the most crucial items first.
• Develop and implement solutions, best practices, and innovations to streamline or improve business practices.

Communication 

• Demonstrate superior written, verbal, and presentation skills, organizing thoughts logically and persuasively for conversations, writing, and formal presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish effective partnerships with field management and other stakeholders, executing written correspondence to external parties (clients, partners, government agencies, etc.) on behalf of the company.
• Present information and reports to senior business unit leaders, and develop models based on analytics to support business objectives.
• Develop communication strategies and change management plans to support the roll-out of process improvement initiatives, both internally and externally.
• Communicate professionally with third-party groups, such as the Indigenous Community, apprentice/resources organizations, and community members, to assess strategies and build stronger relationships.
• Bridge communication across multiple stakeholders at all levels of the business.

Business Acumen 

• Highlight critical success factors for closing deals and understand the value chain's impact on projects.
• Describe customers' critical success factors and strategies for delivering them, driving improvements through knowledge management systems to share commercial knowledge and best practices.
• Ensure understanding and communication of contractual, commercial, and legal processes to the project team, maintaining knowledge of costs, codes, standards, and specifications.
• Maintain high competency in IT skills for financial problem-solving and project documentation production, assisting in resource requirement strategies for commercial success, and understanding financial models including cash flow and profit/loss forecasts.

Education, Experience and Knowledge 

• Degree in Engineering, Business, Law, or a related field.
• 10+ years of construction and/or related management experience.
• Extensive practice in project controls management (costs and scheduling), project management, and/or commercial management is required.

Working Conditions 

• This role is primarily office based, though some travel may be required. 
• Some work is completed on job sites in an office trailer or in an existing on-site structure. Due to daily condition changes on construction projects, when employees are outside of the office trailer or required by the company's safety policies and as required for weather conditions.
• The incumbent may need to relocate to other geographic office / site work locations or travel as necessary

If this sounds like you, then Graham may be the right fit. Apply today.

Graham is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Graham does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by country, regional or local law.

No unsolicited resumes or phone inquiries from agencies, thank you.

As Graham's trusted recruitment partner, Jardeg aids in the hiring of skilled professionals who play a crucial role in the success of Graham's Buildings, Industrial, Infrastructure, Water, Development, Maintenance and Turnaround projects across Canada.