Build the Next Chapter of Mackay Contracting
Mackay Contracting is a heavy civil construction and mining contractor headquartered in Cranbrook, British Columbia. Since 1986, we have built a reputation for delivering complex infrastructure, mining, transportation, environmental, and earthworks projects throughout Western Canada.
Today, our company is entering a new phase of growth. With approximately 300 employees, multiple operating divisions, expanding markets, we are seeking an experienced General Manager to help lead the organization into its next chapter.
This Is Not a Project Management Role
The General Manager will serve as the operational leader of Mackay Contracting.
This role is responsible for ensuring accountability, alignment, communication, and performance across all departments and business units. Success will be measured not only by project results, but by the development of people, systems, leadership capacity, and organizational effectiveness throughout the company.
The successful candidate will act as the primary integrator between operations, project management, estimating, equipment, finance, safety, human resources, and business development.
Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this individual will help build the systems, structure, accountability, and leadership capacity required to support the next stage of growth while reducing operational dependency on ownership.
The Opportunity
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced construction executive who enjoys building organizations, developing leaders, and creating operational excellence.
The General Manager will provide leadership across all operational functions of the company including project management, construction operations, field leadership, equipment coordination, estimating collaboration, project controls, and organizational performance.
The successful candidate will work closely with the President, COO, Finance Team, Project Managers, Superintendents, and Department Leaders to ensure projects are executed safely, efficiently, profitably, and consistently.
This individual will help transform a successful founder-led organization into a scalable, systems-driven company while preserving the culture, values, and reputation that have made Mackay Contracting successful.
What Success Looks Like
Within the first 12 months, the successful candidate will:
- Establish a consistent operational leadership rhythm across the organization.
- Improve accountability and communication between departments.
- Reduce operational escalations reaching the President & CEO and COO.
- Strengthen project review, forecasting, and reporting processes.
- Develop leadership capacity among Project Managers, Superintendents, and Department Leaders.
- Support implementation of the Mackay Operating System (MKOS).
- Improve organizational efficiency and decision-making.
- Create greater organizational capacity to support growth throughout Western Canada and the United States.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Leadership
- Provide overall operational leadership across all business units and projects.
- Lead Project Managers, Superintendents, and operational leaders.
- Establish accountability and ownership throughout the organization.
- Drive consistency in project execution and reporting.
- Ensure decisions are made at the appropriate level of the organization.
- Eliminate operational bottlenecks and improve organizational effectiveness.
- Build systems and processes that reduce dependency on ownership.
Organizational Integration
- Act as the primary integrator between operations, estimating, finance, equipment, safety, HR, and business development.
- Improve communication and collaboration across departments.
- Align resources, priorities, and objectives throughout the organization.
- Ensure operational issues are identified and resolved before becoming critical.
Project Performance
- Conduct regular project performance reviews.
- Monitor project health, productivity, forecasts, risks, and opportunities.
- Work closely with project teams to resolve issues before they become critical.
- Ensure effective project startup, execution, and closeout processes.
- Support project teams in achieving safety, quality, schedule, and financial objectives.
Leadership Development
- Coach and mentor Project Managers, Coordinators, Superintendents, and operational leaders.
- Develop leadership capacity throughout the organization.
- Support succession planning and workforce development initiatives.
- Build a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
Systems & Continuous Improvement
- Improve operational systems, reporting structures, and communication processes.
- Support implementation of standardized project controls and management systems.
- Assist with development and implementation of the Mackay Operating System (MKOS).
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
Strategic Support
- Partner with the President & CEO and COO on strategic initiatives.
- Support growth into new markets and geographic regions.
- Participate in major pursuits, resource planning, and organizational planning.
- Help align operational capacity with long-term company objectives.
- Support expansion initiatives throughout Western Canada and the United States.
What We're Looking For
- Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience in heavy civil construction, mining, infrastructure, or related industries.
- Proven experience leading multi-project operations and large construction teams.
- Strong understanding of project management, field operations, equipment, estimating, and project financial performance.
- Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing teams.
- Experience developing leaders and creating organizational accountability.
- Strong business acumen and decision-making capability.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in a General Manager, Vice President Operations, Regional Manager, Division Manager, Area Manager, or equivalent leadership role.
- Experience with organizations generating $30M to $150M+ annually.
- Experience managing multiple project teams and operational functions simultaneously.
- Familiarity with mining, transportation, municipal, environmental, and earthworks projects.
- Experience implementing operational systems, organizational improvements, and leadership development programs.
- Experience supporting growth and organizational scaling initiatives.
Why Mackay Contracting
Mackay Contracting has built a reputation over nearly four decades for delivering challenging projects safely, professionally, and successfully.
This role offers a rare opportunity to work directly with ownership and senior leadership to help shape the future of a growing organization.
The successful candidate will play a key role in developing people, improving systems, strengthening accountability, and building the operational structure necessary to support the next chapter of growth.
For the right individual, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of the company, its employees, its clients, and the communities and industries we serve.
Pay: $185,000.00-$235,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G2: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- Civil Construction: 10 years (preferred)
Language:
- Excellent English communication skills (required)
Work Location: In person
