Fire Protection Project Manager

J.C. Cannistraro LLC; Waltham (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cannistraro LLC in Massachusetts seeks an experienced Fire Protection Project Manager to lead major projects from planning through closeout, drive financial performance, and ensure successful field execution.

This hands-on role requires coordinating with estimators, accounting, field leadership, and subcontractors while maintaining safety and quality standards across multi-site deployments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field.
• 10+ years in project management, preferably fire protection or construction.
• Proven track record managing financials, scheduling, procurement, and field execution.
• Strong knowledge of fire protection systems and codes.

Responsibilities

• Lead major fire protection projects from turnover through closeout.
• Develop budgets, schedules, and milestones with cross‑functional teams.
• Coordinate procurement, vendor/subcontractor awards, and documentation.
• Review drawings, submittals, RFIs, and changes to keep work moving.
• Provide direction and training to junior staff and project teams.
• Ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance on site.

Skills

Project leadership

Budget management

Scheduling

Coordination

Communication

Negotiation

Problem solving

Safety management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

AutoCAD

HydraCAD

AutoSprink

Navisworks

CMiC

Job description

At Cannistraro, our work is about more than installing systems — it’s about delivering quality, protecting people, and building lasting relationships with our customers. We’re looking for an experienced Fire Protection Project Manager to lead major projects from planning through closeout, drive financial performance, and ensure successful execution in the field.

This is an opportunity for a hands‑on project leader who understands the technical, financial, and operational demands of fire protection construction and can bring teams together to deliver outstanding results.

What You'll Do

Lead Project Execution

• Manage major fire protection projects from turnover through closeout, ensuring work meets contract requirements, budgets, schedules, and quality standards.
• Develop project plans, budgets, schedules, and coordination milestones in partnership with Estimating, Accounting, coordinators, and field leadership.
• Coordinate procurement, vendor and subcontractor awards, material releases, equipment deliveries, permits, and project documentation.
• Review drawings, specifications, submittals, RFIs, and bulletins to identify changes, resolve issues, and keep work moving.
• Partner with Foremen and coordination teams to ensure the field has accurate, up-to-date project information.
• Oversee punch lists, as-built drawings, and operations and maintenance manuals to support successful project closeout.

Drive Financial Performance

• Establish and maintain project budgets and schedules of values.
• Prepare monthly billings and support payment collections in partnership with Accounting.
• Develop accurate job cost, cash flow, and manpower forecasts; monitor performance and address variances.
• Prepare and process purchase orders and change event change orders (CECs), including supporting takeoffs, pricing, and documentation.
• Manage scope changes and resolve contractual, pricing, and coordination issues with general contractors, vendors, and subcontractors.

Lead People and Promote Safety

• Provide direction, coaching, and training to Assistant Project Managers and other project team members.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and internal teams.
• Work closely with Foremen and field personnel to reinforce safety expectations and maintain required safety documentation.
• Promote quality, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout project execution.
• Manage projects independently while balancing competing priorities and responding to changing project conditions.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years of relevant project management experience, preferably in fire protection or a related construction trade.
• Demonstrated success managing complex construction projects, including financial forecasting, contract administration, scheduling, procurement, and field execution.
• Strong understanding of fire protection systems, construction drawings, specifications, applicable codes, and related trades.
• Experience leading project teams, developing junior team members, and managing projects independently.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, make sound decisions, and resolve issues effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with AutoCAD, HydraCAD, AutoSprink, and Navisworks.
• Familiarity with CMiC and company project management processes preferred.

Work Environment

This role combines office-based project management with regular visits to active construction sites. You’ll work closely with project teams, clients, general contractors, subcontractors, and field personnel to coordinate activities, address challenges, monitor progress, and maintain safety and quality standards. Success requires flexibility, strong communication, and the ability to respond to changing project needs.

Why Cannistraro?

Our mission is to empower the life‑changing impact of mastering a trade. We believe in craftsmanship, continuous learning, and working together to deliver exceptional results. At Cannistraro, you’ll have the opportunity to lead meaningful projects, develop people, strengthen customer partnerships, and make a lasting impact on our business.