Hvac Project Manager - Retail

James Lewis Recruitment; Hatfield; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Fuel card / expenses

Private medical insurance

Perks

Job summary

James Lewis Recruitment is seeking an HVAC Project Manager to lead fast-track premium retail fit-out projects across London and the UK. The role blends office and site work, focusing on delivery, client liaison and coordinating subcontractors to keep projects on programme.

You will manage installations across ventilation, ductwork, air conditioning and controls, ensuring high standards in finishes and handover to clients. A strong HVAC background and retail experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience as HVAC Project Manager or similar role.
• Strong background in HVAC, ventilation or building services.
• Retail fit-out experience, especially fast-track schemes or premium environments.
• Experience working with main contractors, landlords and client reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage HVAC installation projects from pre-start through to handover in premium retail and commercial environments.
• Coordinate engineering teams, subcontractors and suppliers on site to maintain programme.
• Review drawings, specifications, RAMS, and project scope; manage risks and changes.
• Ensure site safety, quality control, and effective client communication throughout the project.

Skills

HVAC

Retail fit-out

Project management

Site coordination

Vendor management

Commercial awareness

Job description

HVAC Project Manager

Premium Retail Fit-Out | London & UK Projects | Permanent

£65,000 - £75,000 + package

If you're an HVAC Project Manager who understands fast-track retail fit-out, this is a strong opportunity to work on high-end projects where the finish, programme and client experience all matter.

You'll be joining a long-established specialist HVAC and ventilation contractor delivering bespoke heating, ventilation, ductwork, air conditioning and controls solutions across premium retail, hospitality, commercial and leisure environments.

The work will be focused on HVAC installations within high-end retail units, major shopping centres and outlet environments. Think luxury retail, designer brands and Westfield-style schemes, where access, programme, landlord requirements, coordination and presentation need to be managed properly.

The role

You'll take responsibility for managing HVAC installation projects from pre-start through to completion, commissioning and handover.

This is a role split between the office and site. You'll usually be in the office 1-2 days per week, with the rest of your time spent visiting projects, managing site progress, dealing with clients, coordinating subcontractors and making sure delivery stays on programme.

The projects are likely to include ventilation systems, ductwork, air conditioning, controls, fan systems, heat recovery, extract systems, pipework interfaces, builders work coordination, commissioning and handover across high-end retail and commercial fit-out environments.

This is not a purely desk-based project management role. You'll need to be visible on site, technically credible and comfortable managing fast-moving projects where issues need to be dealt with quickly.

What you'll be doing

• Managing HVAC installation projects across premium retail, outlet centre, shopping centre and commercial fit-out environments.
• Taking projects from handover and pre-start through to site delivery, commissioning and client handover.
• Reviewing drawings, specifications, technical submissions, programme requirements, RAMS and project scope.
• Coordinating ventilation, ductwork, air conditioning, extract systems, fan systems, heat recovery, controls and associated HVAC services.
• Managing engineers, subcontractors, suppliers and specialist installers on site.
• Planning labour, materials, access, deliveries, site logistics and installation sequencing.
• Working closely with main contractors, client representatives, consultants, landlords, centre management teams and other trades.
• Managing works in live or controlled retail environments where disruption, site presentation and programme control are important.
• Attending site meetings, progress reviews and coordination meetings.
• Producing project reports, progress updates, lookaheads and close-out trackers.
• Monitoring quality, snagging, remedial works, commissioning requirements and handover documentation.
• Supporting procurement and making sure materials and equipment are ordered in line with programme requirements.
• Identifying risks, delays, design issues and commercial changes early.
• Working with internal teams to maintain project margin, cost control and commercial awareness.
• Maintaining high standards around health and safety, quality, client communication and site discipline.

What you'll need

• You'll need experience as an HVAC Project Manager, Mechanical Project Manager, Ventilation Project Manager, Mechanical Contracts Manager or similar.
• A strong background in HVAC, ventilation, ductwork, air conditioning or mechanical building services is essential.
• Retail fit-out experience would be a strong advantage, especially if you have worked on fast-track schemes, shopping centres, outlet centres, live retail refurbishments or premium brand environments.
• Experience across hospitality, restaurants, leisure, commercial fit-out or high-end client-facing projects would also be relevant.
• You should be confident managing projects from pre-start through to installation, commissioning and handover.
• You'll need to understand site coordination, drawings, RAMS, technical information, labour planning, subcontractor management and client reporting.
• You should be comfortable working in fast-track environments with tight programmes and multiple trade interfaces.
• You'll need to be confident dealing with main contractors, clients, consultants, suppliers, landlords and site teams.
• Commercial awareness is important, particularly around change, variations, programme impact, cost control and protecting margin.
• SMSTS or SSSTS would be useful.
• CSCS would be useful.
• A mechanical, HVAC, ventilation or building services background is essential.

The right person

You're organised, practical and delivery-focused.

You understand that premium retail fit-out is not just about getting the installation done. The client experience, site presentation, access, programme, landlord requirements and handover all matter.

You can manage engineers and subcontractors without losing control of the detail, and you are comfortable having direct conversations when work needs to move faster or standards need to improve.

You’ll suit this role if you have a strong HVAC background, understand fast-track fit-out and want to work on high-quality retail projects where the finish and delivery standard need to be right.

The salary is £65,000 - £75,000 plus package (company vehicle, fuel card / expenses, PMI and other perks)