Project Executive

Connect Search, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus incentives

Job summary

Connect Search, LLC is seeking a Project Executive to lead the mechanical division's portfolio of projects and the Project Managers who run them. You will be accountable for financial performance, schedule, safety, and quality, while serving as a senior contact with Customers, Owners, and regulators.

You will shape business development and estimating strategy, build the project management team, and promote collaboration across divisions to maximize backlog and value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required.
• 15+ years in mechanical contracting with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
• Experience with P&L, forecasting, and multi-project oversight.
• Proven bid/estimation, negotiation, and contract management skills.
• Knowledge of job costing and labor metrics; familiarity with union labor.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of mechanical projects and Project Managers with profit and cash flow responsibility.
• Serve as senior point of contact for Customers, Owners, and authorities; negotiate contracts and resolve disputes.
• Lead pursuit and estimating strategy for new work; review bids and vendor offers.
• Develop long-term relationships to build backlog and repeat business.
• Approve forecasts, job costs, change orders, and pay applications; drive metrics.
• Oversee contract/change order processes, including terms and claims management.
• Identify value engineering opportunities and coordinate across divisions.
• Support field teams with on-site leadership and project reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Project leadership

P&L accountability

Negotiation

Microsoft Office

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related field

Tools

Bluebeam

Penta

OnBase

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Project Executive for the mechanical division of a diversified construction group leads a portfolio of mechanical construction projects and the Project Managers who run them. The Project Executive is accountable for the financial, schedule, safety, and quality performance of that portfolio and acts on behalf of the Company as a senior contact with Customers, Owners, Owner's Representatives, and governing authorities. This role also works with division leadership on business development, estimating strategy, and building the project management team.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of mechanical projects and Project Managers, with responsibility for project profitability, cash flow, schedule performance, and client satisfaction
• Serve as senior point of contact for Customers, Owners, Owner's Representatives, and governing authorities, including escalated issues, contract negotiations, and relationship development
• Lead pursuit and estimating strategy for new work: review bid documents, vendor offers, and Company requirements; approve pricing, risk, and terms; and negotiate with key vendors and clients for competitive pricing
• Develop long-term relationships with repeat customers, general contractors, and owners to build backlog
• Review and approve project forecasts, job cost reports, change orders, and pay applications; hold Project Managers accountable for monthly forecasting and project metrics
• Oversee the contract and change order process, including negotiation of contracts and contract terms, claims, and dispute resolution
• Identify value engineering and fabrication opportunities across the portfolio and present alternatives to Customers
• Promote other Company disciplines as project partners and coordinate resources across divisions
• Ensure compliance with project requirements, including OCIP/CCIP, tax exemptions, certified payrolls, and workforce and contract diversity goals; set and support MBE/WBE/DBE work plans with strategic partners
• Understand and manage labor metrics and the collective bargaining agreements for each trade the Company is signatory to, with knowledge of MCA and SMACNA associations
• Set the standard for safety, including site-specific safety plans and JHAs, and hold project teams accountable for compliance
• Review project schedules and subcontractor schedules, and step in when deliverables are at risk
• Lead post-project reviews, share metrics, and drive lessons learned across the division
• Recruit, mentor, train, and develop Project Managers, Project Engineers, and Interns, including delegation of work and performance feedback
• Maintain an on-site presence as needed and support project teams in the field
• All other duties as assigned

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related field is required
• 15+ years of experience working for a mechanical contractor, including at least 5 years as a Project Manager or in a senior project leadership role
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects and Project Managers at once, with P&L or financial accountability
• Experience estimating, bidding, and negotiating large mechanical contracts
• Strong knowledge of job costing, forecasting, and labor metrics, including collective bargaining agreements and union labor
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Project, and PowerPoint)
• Experience in Bluebeam a plus
• Experience in Penta and OnBase a plus
• OSHA 30 Hour Card required; other safety certifications a plus

Other Qualifications

• Ability to take ownership of results and responsibility for the performance of a portfolio and a team
• Professional, relationship-driven, and committed to upholding the Company reputation, with strong ethical awareness
• Proactive, with a sense of urgency and the ability to identify risks early and determine how to mitigate them
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, adjust to changing situations, and prioritize competing demands across multiple projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including clear and concise technical writing and the judgment to choose the right communication method for the situation
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, and a positive attitude when working with co-workers, clients, vendors, and leadership
• Able to lead and develop others, and to work independently with limited supervision while still being a team player
• Dependable, organized, and self-motivated

Compensation

Compensation for the Project Executive role will be based on the candidate's experience and qualifications, determined by internal criteria. Role is heavily bonus incentivized