Workforce Planning & Development Leader

Field Talent Superintendent – MEP Construction

Location: Richmond, VA

Why Join Us?

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.

Role Overview

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.

Key Responsibilities

Workforce Planning & Craft Deployment

• 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

Field Operations & Leadership Alignment

• 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

Talent Development & Succession Planning

• Identify high-potential craft professionals for leadership development
• Support succession planning for Superintendent and field leadership roles
• Partner with training teams to address technical skill gaps
• Build relationships with trade schools, apprenticeship programs, and workforce development organizations
• Participate in hiring events and long-term craft pipeline development initiatives

Success Metrics

• Accurate 3-, 6-, and 12-month labor forecasts aligned with project schedules
• Reduced labor shortages and reactive staffing decisions
• Improved productivity across major job sites
• Increased internal promotion rates for field leadership roles
• Strengthened skilled trades pipeline for long-term workforce stability
• Measurable impact on safety performance and quality outcomes

Candidate Persona — Who You Are

You are an experienced field leader who understands the operational realities of large-scale MEP construction. You bring strong judgment in evaluating trade skill levels and leadership potential, and you take pride in building high-performing craft teams.

You likely have deep Superintendent experience and understand how manpower planning directly influences schedule performance, safety metrics, and project profitability. You are respected in the field, decisive in your assessments, and committed to fairness and consistency.

You are bilingual (English/Spanish), comfortable operating across multiple job sites, and motivated by developing the next generation of field leadership.

Day in the Life

• Reviewing upcoming project schedules and forecasting trade-specific labor needs
• Conducting field visits to assess workforce performance and skill alignment
• Meeting with Superintendents to adjust manpower strategies
• Evaluating new hires and internal candidates for leadership readiness
• Collaborating with training partners to close workforce skill gaps
• Supporting hiring events and workforce development initiatives

Qualifications & Experience

• 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 across multiple job sites
• Proven expertise in construction manpower planning and labor forecasting
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate trade skill levels and job readiness
• Data center or mission-critical construction experience strongly preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required
• Strong communication skills across field and executive leadership levels
• Demonstrated commitment to jobsite safety, quality, and productivity
• Ability to work in Richmond, VA and travel regionally as needed

Employer Branding & DEI

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.

Apply Now

If you are a seasoned MEP Superintendent who understands that workforce strategy drives project success, we encourage you to apply. This is an opportunity to directly influence field performance, leadership development, and long-term workforce strength within a respected construction organization.

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship. Employment eligibility will be verified at the time of hire.