Project Executive

Southland Industries; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with 50% company match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Annual bonus program

Paid holidays and vacation

Professional development opportunities

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Southland Industries in Sacramento, CA seeks a Project Executive to lead the delivery of our most complex and high-profile projects. You will provide executive oversight of project performance, client relations, financial outcomes, risk management, and team development, serving as the primary voice to owners and key stakeholders.

You will guide lean implementation through design, procurement, and construction, mentorship, and growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Mech/Civil/Construction Mgmt; 10+ yrs relevant field or 15–20 yrs Construction Mgmt.
• Proven ability to manage very large projects or multiple projects.
• Demonstrated ability to train and develop successful project teams.
• Proactive planning and positive impact on project success.
• Lead preconstruction activities on a major project.
• Perform value engineering analyses.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems (HVAC, Plumbing) for large projects.
• Ability to estimate large jobs in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate with all management levels and present proposals.
• Instill urgency in project teams through leadership.
• Experience with GMP projects management.
• Experience with MS Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project).
• Read and interpret technical docs (CAD, Blueprints, Submittals).

Responsibilities

• Manage a large project or oversee multiple projects as senior representative.
• Lead and mentor the project team.
• Apply lean tools (A3, 5-Why, choosing by advantages).
• Run Last Planner System sessions effectively.
• Teach lean concepts quickly to the team.
• Coordinate design, trades, and subs interactions.
• Apply policies and make project decisions.
• Develop systems to improve team performance.
• Develop CFLs (Customers for Life).
• Support sales during pursuit with input and proposals.
• Communicate project status to clients regularly.
• Oversee budget analysis, cost and revenue projections, manpower curves, change orders.
• Negotiate and manage contract changes.
• Own cost-impacts related to issues.
• Support Connected Solutions strategies.
• Initiate contact to secure maintenance contracts.
• Lead monthly project reviews to leadership.
• Engage with industry groups (DBIA, LCI, CPMCA, ASHRAE, ASPE).
• Own contract scope and mentor team accordingly.

Skills

Lean principles

Team leadership

Project management

Financial acumen

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Job description

Position Summary

The Project Executive serves as the senior leader responsible for the successful delivery of Southland Industries' most complex, high-profile, and strategically important projects. This role provides executive oversight for project performance, client relationships, financial outcomes, risk management, and team development while serving as Southland's primary representative to owners, partners, and key stakeholders. The Project Executive leads project teams through all phases of project execution, from preconstruction and procurement through commissioning and closeout, ensuring projects are delivered safely, profitably, and in alignment with Southland's commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Job Description

As a trusted advisor to both clients and internal teams, the Project Executive drives Lean construction principles, promotes continuous improvement, and fosters collaboration across design, engineering, construction, and service operations. This leader plays a critical role in developing Customers for Life (CFL), supporting business development efforts, mentoring future leaders, and advancing Southland's strategic growth initiatives. Through strong leadership, technical expertise, and financial acumen, the Project Executive ensures exceptional project outcomes while reinforcing Southland's reputation as the industry's leading integrated building systems provider and the nation's largest privately held mechanical contractor.

Position Details

• Responsible for managing a larger project (or overseeing a team delivering multiple projects) and team functioning as the Southland’s senior representative and primary point of contact for one or more large construction projects.


• Leadership role to entire project team, including identifying and delegating the responsibilities of team members, as well as effectively mentoring team members.


• Implement the effective use of lean tools (A3 development, choosing by advantages, 5-why).


• Implement effective Last Planner System sessions.


• Learn and simultaneously teach new lean concepts and processes quickly.


• Responsible for coordination of design, trades and subcontractor interaction.


• Applies defined policies and procedures and takes responsibility for decisions and project issues.


• Develops and implements procedural systems and strategies to ensure the continuous improvement of project team and overall project performance.


• Develop CFLs (Customers for Life).


• Responsible for developing a clearly defined repeat client base and assists in future work procurement with clients.


• Supports Sales team during the pursuit of projects (presentations, estimate input, client input).


• Consistently communicates and provides clients with all job-related information regarding status of project.


• Manages critical project functions including equipment selection and subcontractor procurement.


• Responsible for budget analysis and reports, cost and revenue projections, manpower curves, change orders, construction plans etc.


• Effectively negotiates and manages contract change orders.


• Solely responsible for any cost impact related issues.


• Understands, supports and execute Connected Solutions strategies.


• Initiates contact and supports Envise in securing Maintenance Contracts.


• Leads team in assembling and presenting monthly project review to division leadership.


• A member of one of the industry organizations (DBIA, LCI, CPMCA, ASHRAE, ASPE).


• Owning the contract and mentoring the team through understanding it and working within its scope.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Construction Management with minimum 10 years’ experience in related field or, 15-20 years’ experience in Construction Management.


• Proven ability to manage very large projects or simultaneously manage multiple projects.


• Demonstrated ability to train and develop successful project teams.


• Demonstrated skills for proactively planning projects and positively impacting project success.


• Lead preconstruction activities on a major project.


• Perform value engineering analyses.


• Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering systems, including HVAC and Plumbing, relating to the construction of large projects.


• Ability to estimate large jobs in a fast paced and demanding environment.


• Ability to communicate with all levels of management and to present proposals and give sales presentations.


• Ability to instill a sense of urgency in the project team through proven leadership skills.


• Lead through results oriented personal skill set.


• Experience with management of large Guaranteed Maximum Price projects.


• Experience with common software including but not limited to Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Project.


• Ability to read and interpret technical documentation including CAD drawings, Blueprints, Submittals, etc.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting


• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)


• Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability


• Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance


• Disability income protection insurance


• Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)


• Paid parental leave


• Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time


• Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses


• Wellness benefits

About Southland Industries

As one of the nation’s largest MEP companies, Southland Industries is built on the foundation of great people. Since 1949, we have put our people first, enabling growth, professional achievement, and innovation.

To learn more about careers at Southland, explore our career opportunities, follow us on social media, and check out our website.

Southland Industries and all its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing our employees with a safe work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Southland Industries are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, family care or medical leave status, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Southland Industries will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Pay:

Final pay is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. For Sacramento, CA this ranges from $165,949.00 - $202,826.00 plus annual incentive, benefits, and retirement program as outlined above.

Contingent Employment:

All employment offers are contingent upon successful drug tests, background checks, and professional reference checks. Roles that include driving as an essential job duty will be required to have a successful Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR). We are not able to offer sponsorship of employment at this time.

External Agency Announcement

Its Southland Industries' policy not to accept candidate submissions from recruiting agencies without an active and authorized work order. Candidate ownership can only be established after a bona fide work order is issued by a member of the Southland Industries Talent Acquisition team and the candidate is appropriately submitted through our Applicant Tracking System (ATS).