Confidential Opportunity · C.H. Nickerson & Company
Project Manager
Water & Wastewater Construction
A specialized Northeast contractor with ~$500M in backlog is looking for an experienced Project Manager to own technically complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Why This Is Worth Exploring
What Makes This Opportunity Different
~$500M
Current Backlog
Significant visibility into future work across the Northeast water and wastewater construction market.
$750M+
Backlog Growth Target
The company is actively pursuing additional work with a clear growth trajectory over the next five years.
Up to 9%
401(k) Combined Contribution
When an employee contributes 6%, the company adds 3% — bringing the combined total to approximately 9%.
$20K+
Year-End Bonus Potential
Performance-based year-end bonus, typically structured as a percentage of base salary.
~80%
Health Premium Covered
Company pays approximately 80% of health insurance premiums, plus approximately 50% of the deductible for individual and family plans.
$160M+
Largest Project Size
Projects range from smaller municipal work to large-scale infrastructure exceeding $160 million.
The Company
C.H. Nickerson & Company
C.H. Nickerson & Company is a general contractor and design-build firm headquartered in Torrington, Connecticut, with a strong and established presence in the Northeast water and wastewater construction market.
The company builds water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, and infrastructure projects across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island — serving municipal, commercial, institutional, and industrial clients.
With approximately $500 million in current backlog and continued pursuit of new work, the company has strong visibility into its pipeline. Many core employees have remained with the company since early in their careers — a reflection of the culture and the stability of the work.
Built for the Long Term
Stability You Can See
The company has a strong pipeline of water and wastewater infrastructure work across the Northeast, with continued pursuit of additional projects. This is not a company in transition — it is a contractor with a long track record, a loyal workforce, and a clear growth trajectory.
~$500M
Current Backlog
$750M+
Backlog Growth Target (5 Years)
CT · MA · RI
Primary Project Geography
Low
Employee Turnover
Backlog figures are approximate and based on information available at the time of this posting.
Project Environment
The Work You'd Be Managing
C.H. Nickerson builds technically complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the Northeast. Projects range from smaller municipal work to large-scale treatment plant construction and upgrades exceeding $160 million.
Water Treatment Plants
Design-build and construction of municipal and industrial water treatment facilities, including upgrades, expansions, and new construction.
Wastewater Treatment Plants
Complex wastewater treatment plant construction and renovation projects for municipal and industrial clients across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Pump Stations
Pump station construction and upgrades as part of larger infrastructure systems and standalone municipal projects.
Utilities & Infrastructure
Underground utilities, site infrastructure, and related civil work supporting water and wastewater systems.
Common Project Components
The Role
What This Role Typically Owns
The following reflects typical Project Manager responsibilities in water and wastewater construction. Specific scope, reporting structure, and project assignments will be discussed confidentially based on the candidate's background.
- Managing project budgets and cost performance from award through closeout
- Managing schedules and major project milestones
- Coordinating subcontractors and vendors
- Working closely with Superintendents and Project Engineers
- Managing RFIs, submittals, change orders, and project documentation
- Coordinating procurement and long-lead materials
- Leading project meetings and maintaining communication with owners, engineers, and stakeholders
- Tracking project progress and identifying cost and schedule risks early
- Managing financial reporting and forecasting
- Reviewing scope and contract requirements
- Resolving project issues before they impact cost or schedule
- Supporting project closeout and final turnover
- Ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget
Who This May Be Right For
This May Be Worth Exploring If You Have Experience With:
The company is open to candidates from multiple backgrounds. Direct water/wastewater experience is valuable but not the only path — heavy civil, utility, and environmental construction backgrounds are also relevant.
- Water or wastewater treatment plant construction
- Heavy civil construction with complex mechanical or process components
- Utility construction — underground utilities, pump stations, or infrastructure
- Environmental construction or remediation projects
- Managing project budgets, schedules, and subcontractors on technically complex work
- Working directly with municipal or institutional owners and engineers
- Design-build project delivery
- A desire to work for a stable, specialized contractor with a strong pipeline and low turnover
Compensation & Benefits
What the Package Looks Like
Base salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. All figures below are approximate.
Base Salary
Competitive, based on experience
Discussed confidentially based on background and fit
Year-End Bonus
Can exceed $20,000
Performance-based, typically a percentage of base salary
401(k)
Up to ~9% combined contribution
Employee contributes 6%, company adds 3%
Health Insurance
~80% of premiums covered
Company also pays ~50% of deductible for individual and family plans
Dental
Standard dental plan
Routine cleanings covered · ~$1,000 annual limit
Paid Time Off
3 weeks PTO
Plus 7 paid holidays and 5 sick days
Vehicle Support
Company vehicle or truck support where appropriate
Gas card included
Field & Office Tools
Cell phone and laptop provided
Equipped to manage projects effectively from day one
Culture & Employee Experience
What It's Like to Work Here
C.H. Nickerson is a family-oriented company with an open-door leadership style. The people who work here tend to stay — many core employees have been with the company since early in their careers.
The company invests in training new employees and setting them up for success. As the company continues to grow and pursue new work, that growth is reinvested back into the team.
This is not a revolving-door environment. The low turnover is a reflection of how the company treats its people — and it shows up in the quality and continuity of the work.
Seen enough to be curious? Have a confidential conversation.
Book a ConversationWhat Success Looks Like
Strong Performance in This Role Generally Means:
Budget & Schedule Control
Maintaining control of project cost and schedule from award through closeout, with early identification of risks before they become problems.
Clear Communication
Keeping owners, engineers, subcontractors, and field leadership informed — no surprises, no gaps in the project record.
Strong Field Coordination
Working effectively with Superintendents and Project Engineers to keep the project moving and resolve issues at the field level.
Procurement & Documentation
Staying ahead of long-lead materials, managing submittals and RFIs, and keeping the project documentation clean and current.
Change Management
Identifying scope changes early, processing change orders accurately, and protecting the project's financial position.
Predictable Execution
Delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget — consistently, not occasionally.
Candidate FAQs
Questions Candidates Usually Ask
What type of projects does the company build?
C.H. Nickerson specializes in water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, and related infrastructure projects. Projects range from smaller municipal work to large-scale construction exceeding $160 million.
Where are the projects located?
Projects are primarily located across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The company is headquartered in Torrington, Connecticut.
How much travel should I expect?
Travel requirements vary by project and assignment. Specific expectations will be discussed confidentially based on the candidate's background and the projects available at the time.
How many projects would I manage at once?
Project assignments vary based on project size and complexity. This is something that will be discussed during the conversation based on your background and the current pipeline.
Do I need direct water/wastewater experience?
Direct water/wastewater experience is valuable, but the company is open to candidates with backgrounds in heavy civil, utility, environmental, or other technically complex construction. The right background will be discussed based on your specific experience.
What is the bonus structure?
The bonus is performance-based and typically structured as a percentage of base salary. Bonuses can exceed $20,000 depending on performance and compensation level.
How strong is the backlog?
The company currently has approximately $500 million in backlog, with a growth trajectory toward $750 million or more over the next five years.
What is the 401(k) program?
When an employee contributes 6%, the company adds an additional 3%, bringing the combined total to approximately 9%. This is a meaningful retirement benefit relative to most construction firms.
How does the company approach training and onboarding?
The company invests in training new employees and setting them up for success. Specific onboarding details will be discussed during the conversation.
How are Project Managers supported by Superintendents and Project Engineers?
Project Managers work closely with Superintendents and Project Engineers on active projects. The specific team structure varies by project and will be discussed based on the candidate's background and the available work.
Honest Assessment
This Probably Isn't for You If…
- ✕You want to leave construction project management entirely
- ✕Your background has no connection to heavy civil, utility, infrastructure, environmental, or technically complex construction work
- ✕You prefer a role with little financial or schedule responsibility
- ✕You do not want direct coordination with owners, engineers, subcontractors, and field leadership
- ✕You strongly prefer only small commercial interiors or residential construction
- ✕You are looking for a remote-only role with no field presence
Take the Next Step
Worth a Conversation?
You don't need to be actively looking for a new job. If the company, the projects, the benefits, or the long-term opportunity seem worth learning more about — schedule a confidential conversation. The purpose is simply to determine whether there's enough alignment to keep exploring. No pressure, no commitment.
Or reach out directly at joe@unrivaledsearch.com