Project Director - Prime MEP

McKinstry Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 118,170 - 210,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision

Parental leave

Job summary

McKinstry is seeking a Project Director to lead the Prime MEP division. This role provides strategic leadership for large, complex projects from planning to completion, ensuring alignment with client expectations and financial goals.

You will oversee project activities, control financial performance, and coordinate across departments, while mentoring staff and maintaining strong client relationships within McKinstry’s growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• 10–12 years of project management experience in construction.
• 5 years leading a team.
• Knowledge of codes, equipment selection, and good design practices.
• Knowledge of construction financial programs and software.
• Advanced estimating skills preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of construction means and methods.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all project activities from initiation to closeout.
• Define assignments and clarify responsibilities for team members.
• Serve as primary customer contact throughout project.
• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Coordinate handoffs between departments and support preconstruction.
• Mitigate and report project risk for the company.
• Manage project financials, invoicing, and subcontractor payments.
• Draft subcontracts and purchase agreements; monitor change logs.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Construction

Client communication

Budgeting

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s in Construction Management or Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera P6

Excel

Job description

Build the future, spark innovation and align your career with purpose.

McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we're building a thriving planet.

Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We're making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability and equity crises through:

• renewables and energy services
• engineering and design
• construction and facility services

To get where we're going, we need big thinkers, problem solvers and collaborative mindsets. Does that sound like you?

The Opportunity with McKinstry

We are seeking a Project Director to join our growing Prime MEP division. This role provides strategic leadership for large, complex projects, overseeing all phases from planning to completion and ensuring alignment with organizational goals, client expectations, and financial objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

Management

• Oversee all project activities, functions, and resources from initiation to closeout.
• Define project assignments for team members and ensure clarity of responsibilities and accountabilities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with the customer throughout project implementation.
• Act as a steward of all company policies and procedures, ensuring compliance and alignment with organizational goals.
• Exercise global decision making by considering the needs of project management, sales and estimating, accounting, purchasing, and other departments.
• Respond to stakeholders with accurate and timely information to facilitate company decision-making.
• Assess, define, and document agreements from customers regarding project requirements.
• Coordinate implementation handoffs between internal departments and support the preconstruction process with field and business managers.
• Mitigate and report on project risk on behalf of the company.

Project Controls

• Assume financial responsibility for projects, including accurate, timely, and relevant reporting to stakeholders.
• Facilitate invoice payments from clients and ensure timely payment of subcontractors.
• Review and substantiate subcontractor billing, prepare client and subcontractor change orders, and conduct monthly project accounting reviews.
• Draft and oversee subcontracts and purchase agreements, monitor and proof change issue logs, and maintain project documentation.
• Monitor, control, and report on the financial performance of projects, delivering accurate and timely data to support project forecasts.
• Maintain positive working relationships with building owners, contractors, consultants, vendors, and partners, and respond to stakeholder inquiries.

Team Management

• Select, develop, coach, and manage project staff.
• Develop project staffing plans, including labor and subcontractors, and forecast project management labor requirements.
• Meet with each trade's foreman and review the project as the design develops.
• Develop positive working relationships with craft foremen and other field personnel assigned to projects.
• Act as a steward of McKinstry culture, communicating and influencing policies and procedures.
• Establish and lead project meetings.

Communication & Business Development

• Serve as the primary point of contact with the customer and facilitate communication internally between the project team and other departments. Inform internal and external customers of new offerings and upgrades.
• Make presentations to a variety of audiences and act as a subject matter expert.
• Identify, qualify, and funnel potential new service opportunities to the Business Development team.
• Direct customer requests for product functionality enhancements to the appropriate people.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Need to Succeed at McKinstry

• Demonstrated proficiency for all the responsibilities of a Senior Project Manager.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent work experience required.
• 10- 12 years of project management experience in construction required.
• 5 years leading a team.
• Knowledge of applicable codes, equipment selection procedures, and good design practices required.
• Knowledge of construction financial programs and software required.
• Advanced estimating skills preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of construction means and methods.

PeopleFirst Benefits

When it comes to the basics, we have you covered:

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match and profit‑sharing plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

People come first at McKinstry, and we go beyond the basic benefits with:

• Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance.
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave.
• Transgender inclusive benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Pet insurance
• ""Building Good" paid community service time.
• Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University.
• McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers.
  

See benefit plan documents for complete details.

If you're driven by our vision to build a thriving planet together, McKinstry is the place to build your career.

The pay range for this position is $118,170 - $210,100 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Base pay information is based on market location. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.

The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

McKinstry is a drug‑free workplace. Employment iscontingent upon successfully passing a pre‑employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.

Applicants for this role will only be considered if they possess current US Work Authorization, and do not require employer‑sponsored VISA support to begin or remain in this role.