Business Unit Manager

Wheelersp; Lutz (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Phone allowance $80/month

Vehicle allowance (monthly)

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Wheeler Staffing Partners is seeking a senior MEP Business Unit Manager for the Tampa Bay area. You will lead a commercial mechanical construction business unit, overseeing HVAC, plumbing, and related operations, ensuring profitable project delivery and client satisfaction.

The role requires 8+ years in HVAC/plumbing with 3+ years in leadership, strong financial management, and a track record of managing large healthcare or commercial projects. 100% onsite at Tampa office or project sites.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in commercial HVAC, plumbing, or mechanical construction operations.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing large-scale commercial or healthcare construction projects.
• Direct experience overseeing commercial HVAC and plumbing operations, project execution, and construction teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for the business unit, aligning with goals and growth.
• Develop annual business plans, budgets, and growth strategies.
• Oversee operations, project management, field supervision, and business development.
• Lead workforce planning, recruiting, and organizational development.
• Monitor financial performance, project profitability, and cash flow.
• Ensure safe, on-time, and on-budget project delivery across HVAC and plumbing projects.
• Manage relationships with owners, contractors, and strategic partners.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Project oversight

Business development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field

Job description

MEP Business Unit Manager

Location: Lutz, FL (Tampa Area)

Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire

Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite | Tampa Office or Project Sites

Salary: $120,000–$156,000 annually

Additional Compensation: Discretionary annual bonus, $80/month phone allowance, and monthly vehicle allowance (amount TBD)

Travel: 20–30% regional travel to project sites throughout Florida and surrounding areas

Travel Expenses: Reimbursed | No per diem

Relocation: Relocation candidates welcome; local candidates preferred

Wheeler Staffing Partners is seeking an experienced Business Unit Manager – Mechanical Construction for a direct-hire opportunity in Lutz, FL, serving the Tampa market. The Business Unit Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership for a commercial mechanical construction business unit, overseeing HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical construction operations, financial performance, project execution, business development, workforce management, and organizational growth. This senior leadership position is responsible for driving profitability, maintaining operational excellence, strengthening customer relationships, and ensuring the successful delivery of large‑scale commercial and healthcare construction projects. The ideal candidate brings 8+ years of experience in commercial HVAC and plumbing systems, including 3+ years of leadership experience managing large-scale commercial or healthcare construction projects. Candidates must demonstrate strong financial management skills, operational expertise, and proven success leading project teams, field operations, and business performance initiatives.

Business Unit Leadership & Strategy

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the business unit, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, operational standards, and long‑term growth objectives.
• Develop and execute annual business plans, operating budgets, growth strategies, and market expansion initiatives.
• Oversee business unit operations, project management, field supervision, business development, and support personnel.
• Partner with regional and executive leadership to drive operational consistency, business growth, and continuous improvement.
• Establish performance goals and accountability measures across operational, financial, and customer service functions.
• Lead workforce planning, staffing strategies, recruiting initiatives, and organizational development efforts.
• Foster a high‑performance culture focused on safety, accountability, collaboration, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction.

Financial Management & Business Performance

• Maintain accountability for business unit financial performance, including revenue, profitability, cash flow, backlog, and resource utilization.
• Develop, manage, and monitor operating budgets, financial forecasts, and business performance objectives.
• Conduct regular financial and operational reviews to evaluate project profitability, labor productivity, cash flow, and business performance.
• Identify financial risks, operational inefficiencies, and opportunities to improve profitability.
• Monitor project financial performance, cost controls, contract commitments, and resource allocation.
• Implement strategies to improve operating margins, workforce productivity, and long‑term financial sustainability.
• Ensure business unit performance aligns with established revenue, profitability, and growth targets.

Operations & Project Delivery

• Provide executive oversight of commercial HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical construction projects throughout the assigned region.
• Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Oversee project managers, superintendents, field supervisors, subcontractors, and operational support teams.
• Monitor construction schedules, labor productivity, project costs, quality control, and overall project execution.
• Review and approve project status reports, change orders, staffing plans, procurement commitments, and risk assessments.
• Identify operational challenges and implement corrective action plans to maintain project performance.
• Drive improvements in project delivery processes, workforce utilization, construction efficiency, and quality standards.
• Ensure effective coordination between project management, field operations, preconstruction, and business development teams.

Business Development & Client Relationships

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with owners, developers, general contractors, architects, engineers, consultants, and strategic business partners.
• Support business development initiatives to expand market presence, strengthen customer relationships, and generate new project opportunities.
• Lead strategic project pursuits, customer presentations, contract negotiations, and business development discussions.
• Collaborate with preconstruction and estimating teams to evaluate project opportunities, pricing strategies, and contractual risks.
• Identify opportunities for repeat business, customer retention, and market expansion.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for key customers, project escalations, and strategic stakeholder relationships.
• Represent the business unit professionally through industry associations, networking opportunities, and community engagement.

Safety, Quality & Risk Management

• Promote a strong safety culture focused on compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure adherence to OSHA regulations, applicable building codes, company safety policies, and contractual requirements.
• Identify and mitigate operational, financial, contractual, legal, and construction‑related risks.
• Oversee risk assessments, project recovery strategies, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Partner with safety and operations teams to improve jobsite safety performance and reduce operational exposure.
• Ensure consistent implementation of quality control standards and construction best practices.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop project managers, superintendents, operations leaders, and support personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and provide coaching, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Support succession planning and leadership development to strengthen organizational capabilities.
• Evaluate staffing needs and implement workforce development strategies to support business growth.
• Promote employee engagement, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Build a strong leadership team capable of supporting long‑term operational success.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in commercial HVAC, plumbing, or mechanical construction operations.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing large-scale commercial or healthcare construction projects.
• Direct experience overseeing commercial HVAC and plumbing operations, project execution, and construction teams.
• Progressive leadership experience in mechanical construction with responsibility for operational performance, financial management, and team leadership.
• Strong understanding of commercial mechanical construction methods, HVAC systems, plumbing installations, and project delivery processes.
• Experience managing business unit budgets, project profitability, financial forecasts, cash flow, and operational performance.
• Knowledge of construction estimating, contract administration, change management, labor management, and risk mitigation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead project managers, superintendents, field teams, and operational support personnel.
• Experience supporting business development, client relationship management, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of construction safety regulations, quality standards, and operational best practices.
• Excellent leadership, financial analysis, communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field, or equivalent applicable work experience.
• Ability to work 100% onsite in Lutz, FL, at the Tampa office or assigned project sites, with 20–30% regional travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• State Mechanical, Plumbing, or HVAC Contractor License.
• Previous experience serving as a Business Unit Manager, Operations Manager, Director of Operations, or similar leadership position within commercial mechanical construction.
• Experience overseeing large-scale healthcare, hospital, or complex commercial construction projects.
• Strong background working for a commercial mechanical subcontractor.
• Demonstrated success managing business unit profitability, revenue growth, and operational performance.
• Experience leading business development initiatives, strategic planning, and market expansion.
• Career progression through mechanical construction operations, project management, and senior leadership roles.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Competitive Compensation: $120,000–$156,000 annually.
• Additional Earnings: Discretionary annual bonus.
• Monthly Allowances: $80 phone allowance plus a monthly vehicle allowance (amount to be determined).
• Leadership Opportunity: Direct the strategy, operations, financial performance, and growth of a commercial mechanical construction business unit.
• Regional Travel: Approximately 20–30% travel to project sites, with eligible travel expenses reimbursed.
• Project Variety: Oversee large-scale commercial and healthcare mechanical construction projects.
• Strategic Impact: Influence business growth, operational efficiency, customer relationships, and long‑term organizational performance.
• Relocation Consideration: Qualified candidates interested in relocating to the Tampa area are encouraged to apply.