Mechanical Project Manager

James Lewis Recruitment; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Mechanical Project Manager to deliver a phased CAT B programme in a fast-paced environment. The role involves overseeing subcontractors, ensuring quality control, and driving project schedules. Candidates must have strong experience in mechanical systems and be able to work under NDA. Strong communication skills and a background in driving trades to quality outcomes are essential. This position offers a competitive salary of £75,000 - £90,000 plus travel.

Qualifications

• Strong mechanical building-services delivery on CAT A/B or similar fast-track interiors.
• Track record driving trades to programme with clean QA.
• Ability to work under NDA and meet BPSS security requirements.

Responsibilities

• Drive programme look-aheads and sequencing.
• Chair subcontractor coordination meetings.
• Manage quality control and verification.

Skills

Mechanical systems: AHUs, FCUs/VRF

Controls/BMS enablement

Calm, clear communication

Tools

BIM 360

Navisworks (view-only)

Job description

Overview

Mechanical Project Manager — £75,000 - £90,000 + travel | CAT B | £10m mechanical package | 80 weeks | Morgan Sindall (Principal Contractor). Client under NDA. BPSS security clearance required. We are hiring a hands-on Mechanical Project Manager to help deliver a large, phased CAT B programme for a confidential client. This is a mechanical-only package within a Tier 1 environment, with Morgan Sindall as PC. You will take ownership of defined areas of the works while supporting overall delivery, coordination, commissioning and a clean handover across an 80-week programme.

What you will deliver

• Plantrooms and distribution takeover: landlord/base interfaces, LTHW/CHW hook-ups, pressurisation/expansion, DPCVs/commissioning sets, strainers and flushing bypasses.
• Airside completion: main and secondary duct runs, VAV/CAV boxes, FCU/VRF terminals, fire/smoke dampers, attenuators, final drops to ceiling grids, GRD set-out and acoustic compliance.
• Waterside and public health: CHW/LTHW headers/branches, BCWS/HWS to tea points and welfare, sanitaryware 1st/2nd fix, local booster/POU heaters, full valving/insulation/labelling.
• Controls and integration: BMS field devices, networks and panels, panel mods, IO testing, graphics and alarms; interlocks with FA, access control and metering for tenant splits.
• Life-safety interfaces: smoke extract enablement, damper proving, shutdown sequences, black-building/fail-safe tests.
• Firestopping and BWIC: sleeves, collars, seals and penetration records; openings, plinths and fixings.
• Testing, commissioning and handover: pressure tests, chlorination/sterilisation, dynamic balancing (air/water), water quality certs, BMS P2P, seasonal commissioning plan, asset tagging, O&Ms and training.

What you will run day to day

• Programme and sequencing: drive 2-4 week look-aheads, area drops and ceiling-close sequencing; coordinate risers, plant lifts, deliveries and access with other trades.
• Subcontractor leadership: chair/lead progress and coordination meetings, set production targets, track labour/materials and manage off-site fabrication to keep milestones on track.
• Quality control: manage ITPs, hold/witness points, snag prevention, red-lines/as-builts; verify valve charts, damper schedules and asset registers match install.
• Technical administration: manage submittals/samples, plant/kit trackers, O&M data capture and closure of technical queries through to sign-off.
• Health and Safety: oversee RAMS reviews, permits (hot works/WAH), daily briefings/TBTs, housekeeping in congested voids/risers, area sign-offs pre-ceiling close.
• Commissioning management: own and drive the Cx plan; flushing/chemical cleans, pre-commissioning checks, TAB, BMS IO, alarms/graphics and client witnessing through to PC.
• Commercial awareness: manage take-offs, variations/EWN logs tied to site conditions and late changes; protect prelims, productivity and programme.
• Handover readiness: compile certs (pressure, chlorination, balancing), BMS trend logs, training agendas, asset lists/QR tags and seasonal commissioning calendars.

What you need knowledge in

• CAT B interiors logistics and micro-phasing in live environments
• Mechanical systems: AHUs, FCUs/VRF, VAV/CAV, CHW/LTHW, BCWS/HWS, pressurisation and water treatment
• Controls/BMS enablement and life-safety interfaces
• UK compliance and best practice: CIBSE guides, Building Regs, SFG20-style maintenance data, water hygiene
• Tools and reporting: look-aheads, progress trackers, QA packs, commissioning trackers; BIM 360/Field, Navisworks (view-only), snagging apps

What you need experience in

• Strong mechanical building-services delivery on CAT A/B or similar fast-track interiors (as a Mechanical PM, Senior Project Engineer or Site Manager stepping up)
• Track record driving trades to programme with clean QA and commissioning outcomes
• Calm, clear communication and the ability to unblock issues quickly on site, escalating where needed
• Able to work under NDA and meet BPSS security requirements

Interested? Send your CV and we will run you through the role in detail