Sr. Manager Mep Ops

Rippling; Duluth (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rippling is seeking a Senior Manager or Director of MEP Operations & Business Development to lead growth of our MEP-focused industrial construction business in the United States. This role targets a business development professional with proven GC sector relationships and the ability to align MEP delivery with growth strategy.

The successful candidate will work across owners, EPCs, developers, and public-sector clients, shaping licensing, delivery models, and risk management while expanding our

Qualifications

• Network with owners, EPCs, developers, and industry partners in the U.S. industrial/advanced manufacturing sectors.
• Understanding of state MEP licensing requirements and preconstruction considerations.
• Experience structuring and managing MEP delivery models (self-perform, subcontract, JV).

Responsibilities

• Lead business development and opportunity leadership for MEP-driven industrial construction opportunities.
• Guide MEP operations and delivery strategy (electrical, mechanical, specialty) and licensing efforts.
• Structure partnerships, JVs, and teaming to meet licensing, capacity, and schedule needs.
• Collaborate with preconstruction, estimating, and construction teams on scope, pricing, and risk.
• Provide regular updates to executive leadership on pipeline, licensing, and strategic risks.

Skills

Owner/EPC/GC relationships

Negotiation

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Entrepreneurial mindset

MEP licensing awareness

JV delivery models

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Manager or Director of MEP Operations & Business Development to lead the growth and execution strategy of our MEP-focused industrial construction business in the United States. This role is intended for a business development professional with a proven track record within an industrial General Contractor environment - someone who brings established relationships with owners, EPCs, developers, and industry partners, and who can integrate MEP delivery strategy with business development to expand our industrial project portfolio. The role focuses exclusively on the U.S. market, engaging with owners, developers, EPC firms, General Contractors, and public-sector clients across industrial and infrastructure sectors.

Title and level will be determined based on experience, existing network strength, and demonstrated leadership capability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Development & Opportunity Leadership
  • Identify, qualify, and pursue industrial construction opportunities where MEP scope is a critical success factor, including:
  • Advanced manufacturing (battery, semiconductor, automotive, chemical)
  • Data centers and mission-critical facilities
  • Public and government-funded industrial infrastructure projects
  • Leverage existing relationships with owners, EPCs, GCs, and public agencies to originate and develop new opportunities.
  • Lead go/no-go decisions with a business-owner mindset, balancing margin, risk, and execution capability.
• MEP Operations & Delivery Strategy
  • Provide operational input on electrical, mechanical, and specialty construction scope strategy, drawing on MEP licensing or preconstruction experience.
  • Support company MEP licensing efforts at the state and local level where applicable.
  • Help establish and oversee MEP delivery models, including:
  • Selective self-perform execution
  • Licensed subcontractor structures
  • Joint ventures and strategic partnerships
  • Provide input during preconstruction and early execution phases to support constructability, compliance, and risk control.
• Strategic Partnerships & Market Expansion
  • Build and manage relationships with owners, engineers/design consultants, licensed MEP contractors, specialty trade partners, and JV entities.
  • Structure teaming, JV, or subcontracting arrangements to meet licensing, capacity, and schedule requirements.
  • Support entry into new states or sectors by aligning business development execution with licensing and operational readiness.
• Preconstruction, Bidding & Risk Management
  • Collaborate with Preconstruction, Estimating, and Construction teams to:
  • Define MEP scope and execution strategy
  • Develop pricing approaches and delivery plans
  • Identify and mitigate licensing, manpower, and schedule risks
  • Support proposal development with technical narratives related to MEP capability and execution approach.
  • Participate in constructability reviews, value engineering, and risk assessments for MEP-intensive scopes.
• Leadership, Reporting & Business Ownership
  • Provide regular updates to executive leadership on:
  • MEP business pipeline
  • Licensing status and coverage
  • Strategic risks and growth opportunities
  • Operate with a business-owner mindset, contributing to long-term MEP growth strategy, profitability, and organizational capability development.
  • Support planning for future MEP organizational structure, talent needs, and potential division growth.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience within an industrial General Contractor environment, with a demonstrated, established network among owners, EPCs, developers, and industry partners in the U.S. industrial/advanced manufacturing and infrastructure sectors — this is a core requirement.
• Experience supporting industrial, infrastructure, or public-sector projects in the U.S. required.

Skills & Qualifications

• Proven, verifiable network of owner/EPC/GC relationships within the U.S. industrial construction sector.
• Strong understanding of state-specific MEP licensing requirements, particularly in TX, AZ, and IN, a plus.
• Proven ability to align licensing strategy (or precon strategy) with business growth and execution models.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial, business-owner mindset.
• Experience structuring and managing MEP delivery models (self-perform, subcontract, JV) a plus.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and leadership skills.
• Comfortable operating in a mid-size, growth-oriented industrial GC environment.

Other Requirements

• Ability to travel frequently for client meetings, site visits, and industry events.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess project feasibility and risk factors