Senior Project Manager

seek.com.au; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Seek is seeking a Senior Project Manager for a leader in the Australian HVAC/R sector. You will oversee a portfolio of large, complex HVAC/mechanical services projects, from tender handover through to final account, with full commercial accountability.

You will mentor project engineers and site teams, manage clients and consultants, and ensure delivery on time, within budget and to high safety standards across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of project management experience in HVAC / mechanical services contracting.
• Strong technical knowledge of HVAC and mechanical systems (VRV/VRF, chilled water, ventilation, BMS).
• Proficiency in project management and scheduling software (MS Project).
• Proven commercial and contract-administration skills, including budgeting, cost-to-complete forecasting, variations, progress claims and AS 4000 / AS 4902 contracts.
• Familiarity with Australian building codes, WHS regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring project engineers, supervisors and site teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of a portfolio of large HVAC projects from tender handover to final account.
• Develop and monitor execution plans, baseline programme, procurement schedule and risk register.
• Coordinate labour, subcontractors and suppliers across multiple concurrent projects.
• Ensure projects comply with Australian codes, safety standards and environmental regs.
• Coach project engineers and site teams; manage client and stakeholder relationships.

Skills

HVAC knowledge

Project management

Contract administration

MS Project

Leadership

Education

Mechanical Engineering / Construction Management degree

HVAC trade qualification (preferred)

PM certification (PMP/PRINCE2) is a plus

Tools

MS Project

AS 4000 / AS 4902 contracts

Job description

Our client is a leader in the HVAC&R industry in Australia, driving innovation, technology, and sustainability while delivering high-quality air conditioning solutions for commercial and residential buildings

As a Senior Project Manager, you will lead the delivery of a portfolio of large and complex HVAC / mechanical services projects, from tender handover through to completion and final account. You will hold full commercial accountability for your projects, lead and mentor project engineers and site teams, and act as a senior point of contact for builders, consultants and clients. This role is crucial in ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to a high standard, while protecting margins and building lasting client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution:

Lead the end-to-end delivery of a portfolio of large-scale, complex HVAC projects, from tender handover to final account.

Establish a project execution plan, baseline programme, procurement schedule, submittal register and risk register before major works begin.

Plan and coordinate labour, subcontractors and suppliers across multiple concurrent projects.

Maintain an integrated programme covering design, procurement, installation, commissioning and handover; monitor labour productivity against tender allowances and implement recovery plans when projects fall behind.

Client & Stakeholder Management:

Act as the senior point of contact for builders, clients and consultants, managing expectations and resolving escalated issues.

Liaise with architects, engineers, contractors, and internal teams to ensure seamless execution.

Attend site meetings, inspections, and progress reviews to provide updates and address challenges.

Budgeting & Cost Control:

Take full commercial accountability for project financial performance, including budgets, cost-to-complete forecasting, variations, progress claims and final accounts.

Lead a structured handover from estimating, verifying scope, exclusions, assumptions, labour allowances, quotations and approved margin before execution.

Maintain cost-to-complete, cash-flow and margin forecasts, and manage progress claims, subcontractor claims, retentions and final accounts with finance, escalating adverse trends promptly.

Ensure variations are identified, priced, notified and tracked within contractual time bars, wherever practicable before additional work proceeds.

Identify and implement cost-saving strategies without compromising quality.

Compliance & Quality Assurance:

Ensure projects comply with Australian building codes, safety standards, and environmental regulations.

Coordinate design development, shop drawings and submittals with builders, consultants and other trades, preventing unapproved scope or design changes.

Plan testing, balancing and commissioning, and deliver complete O&M manuals, as-built documentation and handover.

Conduct quality control inspections and resolve technical issues promptly.

Implement project WHS plans, risk assessments and SWMS, and ensure incidents, defects and corrective actions are followed up and closed.

Identify and mitigate project risks to avoid delays, cost overruns, and quality issues.

Manage contractual obligations under head contracts and subcontracts, maintaining a register of notices, RFIs, variations, extensions of time and claims, supported by contemporaneous site records.

Troubleshoot on-site challenges and provide practical solutions in real time.

Work within delegated authority, and elevate material safety, commercial, programme or contractual risks (including potential liquidated damages) to the Operating Manager promptly.

Lead, mentor and develop Project Engineers, site supervisors and project teams, ensuring high performance and accountability.

Plan resourcing for Project Engineers, Site Managers, supervisors and subcontractor teams across the portfolio.

Foster a collaborative team environment to drive efficiency and productivity.

Conduct performance reviews and provide training where necessary.

Drive continuous improvement in project-delivery systems and processes, and support senior management with planning and business growth.

Provide regular portfolio reports to management covering programme, cost-to-complete, forecast margin, cash flow, variations, claims and risks.

• Successful delivery of a portfolio of complex HVAC projects within agreed scope, timeline and budget.
• Effective communication and strong relationships with clients, contractors, and stakeholders.
• High-quality installation outcomes that meet Australian compliance and safety regulations.
• Accurate cost-to-complete forecasting and commercial reporting that protect project margins.
• Continuous improvement in project delivery processes and team performance.
• Approved execution plan, baseline programme and risk register for each project.
• Timely variations, progress claims and contractual notices.
• Complete commissioning, as-built and handover documentation.

Key Performance Indicators

Programme performance against contractual milestones, with recovery plans for material delays.

Accuracy of forecast margin and cost-to-complete, adjusted for approved scope changes.

Variation recovery and compliance with contractual time bars.

Progress claim timeliness, cash flow and final-account close-out.

WHS, quality and defect-closure performance.

Key Requirements

Technical Skills & Experience

8+ years of project management experience in HVAC / mechanical services contracting, including leading large commercial or high-rise projects.

Strong technical knowledge of HVAC and mechanical systems (e.g. VRV/VRF, chilled water, ventilation, BMS) and full project lifecycle management.

Proficiency in project management and scheduling software (e.g. MS Project).

Proven commercial and contract-administration skills, including budgeting, cost-to-complete forecasting, variations, progress claims and AS 4000 / AS 4902 contracts.

Familiarity with Australian building codes, WHS regulations, and compliance requirements.

Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring project engineers, supervisors and site teams.

Soft Skills & Attributes

Proven leadership, with the ability to mentor and develop project teams.

Excellent communication and negotiation abilities to manage client expectations and suppliers.

Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills to tackle challenges on-site.

High attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.

Ability to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

A degree or diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field.

A trade qualification in HVAC, air conditioning, or refrigeration (preferred but not essential).

Project management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) is a plus.