Senior Project Manager – Mechanical

Senior Project Manager – Mechanical

Location

Cleveland, OH / Hobart, IN
Travel: This is a senior-level role supporting large-scale mechanical projects. Depending on project assignment, candidates may be required to travel or relocate to project sites across the Midwest.

Client

Helm Group

Website

Helm Group

Salary

$140,000 – $170,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits include 401(k) with company match, health/vision/dental insurance, PTO, HSA/HRA/FSA, wellness programs, and, for applicable traveling assignments, a travel stipend and moving allowance.

About the Client

Helm Group is a diversified construction and engineering organization with expertise across mechanical/HVAC, plumbing, piping, electrical, heavy civil, VDC, engineering, and other construction services.

Its Mechanical/HVAC division delivers HVAC, plumbing, piping, and sheet metal scopes for major new construction and renovation projects, including data centers, hospitals and healthcare facilities, sports stadiums, industrial facilities, and other large-scale projects.

The Senior Project Manager will join a team responsible for managing complex mechanical construction projects from preconstruction through completion.

Job Summary

Seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager – Mechanical to lead large-scale HVAC, plumbing, piping, and mechanical construction projects.

The Senior Project Manager will have full ownership of project execution and financial performance, including P&L, estimating, preconstruction, GMP development, procurement, scheduling, cost control, client relationships, construction operations, and project closeout.

This individual will lead project teams, mentor Project Managers and Project Engineers, coordinate with owners, Construction Managers, architects/engineers and subcontractors, and ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

Projects may range from $20M–$100M+ and can include data centers, healthcare facilities, sports venues, industrial projects, and other complex commercial construction.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership

Take full ownership of mechanical construction projects and overall project profitability.

Manage projects from conceptual design and estimating through preconstruction, construction, commissioning, and closeout.

Lead and mentor Project Managers, Project Engineers, superintendents, and field leadership.

Coordinate company personnel and resources to ensure efficient project execution.

Make critical decisions affecting project cost, schedule, quality, and profitability.

Preconstruction & Estimating

Drive preconstruction strategy, estimating, GMP development, procurement, and risk planning.

Participate in conceptual design and constructability reviews.

Support value engineering and cost optimization.

Develop project execution strategies and construction plans.

Integrate prefabrication and fabrication strategies into project execution.

Mechanical Construction

Manage HVAC, plumbing, piping, sheet metal, and other mechanical trade scopes.

Oversee self-performed construction and direct craft labor where applicable.

Interpret P&IDs, drawings, specifications, layouts, and isometric drawings.

Translate P&IDs and engineering documents into practical construction layouts and ISOs.

Apply mechanical system and building-code knowledge throughout the project lifecycle.

Coordinate mechanical installation with other trades and project stakeholders.

Financial & Cost Management

Maintain full P&L responsibility for projects.

Manage buyouts, billing, payments, subcontractor agreements, material purchases, and project expenses.

Monitor project costs and financial performance.

Analyze cost and schedule variances and implement corrective actions.

Manage change orders, value engineering, and other financial decisions affecting profitability.

Authorize and oversee project transactions, requisitions, billings, and material purchases.

Schedule & Construction Management

Develop and maintain project schedules.

Monitor construction progress and ensure projects remain on schedule.

Coordinate with owners, Construction Managers, architects/engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and internal teams.

Resolve construction issues and proactively identify project risks.

Ensure construction meets design requirements, specifications, budget, schedule, and quality standards.

Maintain accurate project documentation, logs, and records.

Client & Business Development

Build and maintain strong relationships with owners, clients, A/E firms, Construction Managers, and subcontractors.

Serve as a senior point of contact for clients throughout the project.

Support future business opportunities through strong customer relationships and successful project delivery.

Interface with executive leadership on project performance and strategy.

Technology & Project Controls

Utilize Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook, Project, and PowerPoint.

Use project scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Primavera P6.

Work with BIM/CAD processes and understand fabrication practices.

Leverage technology and project controls to improve project execution and profitability.

Qualifications

Required

10–15+ years of progressive mechanical construction experience.

5–10+ years in construction leadership at the Project Manager level or above.

Strong experience with mechanical systems, including HVAC, plumbing, piping, and/or sheet metal.

Experience managing large-scale mechanical construction projects.

Demonstrated experience with project financial management and P&L responsibility.

Experience with preconstruction, estimating, GMP development, procurement, and risk management.

Experience managing owners, Construction Managers, A/E firms, subcontractors, and internal teams.

Experience with construction scheduling and cost control.

Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, specifications, layouts, and ISOs.

Experience with self-performed construction and/or direct craft labor oversight.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Education

Preferred/required depending on experience:

Option 1: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field with 10–15 years of mechanical construction leadership experience.

OR

Option 2: 10–15 years of progressive mechanical trade experience, including at least 5–10 years in a Project Manager or higher-level construction leadership position.

Preferred

Experience with data centers, healthcare, industrial, stadium, or other complex large-scale projects.

Experience with BIM/CAD and prefabrication.

Experience with Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project.

Experience managing projects valued at $20M–$100M+.

Experience in a self-performing mechanical contractor environment.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a senior mechanical construction leader, not simply a general construction Project Manager.

They should have a strong background in HVAC, plumbing, piping, and mechanical systems, with the ability to manage projects financially and operationally from preconstruction through completion.

The strongest candidates will have:

10–15+ years of mechanical construction experience.

5–10+ years as a Project Manager or Senior Project Manager.

Experience managing $20M–$100M+ mechanical projects.

Strong P&L and cost-control experience.

Deep HVAC/plumbing/piping knowledge.

Experience with preconstruction, estimating, GMPs, procurement, and risk management.

Experience leading large project teams.

Strong client and owner-facing communication skills.

Experience with large, complex projects such as data centers, healthcare, industrial facilities, or stadiums.

Willingness to travel/relocate for project assignments when required.

Simple Explanation of the Job

This is a senior-level mechanical construction Project Manager role.

You will be responsible for taking large HVAC, plumbing, piping, and mechanical projects from planning → estimating → preconstruction → construction → completion.

You will manage the people, money, schedule, subcontractors, clients, and mechanical work on projects that can be worth $20M–$100M+.

You are essentially responsible for making sure the project is:

Built correctly + completed on time + stays within budget + makes money + keeps the client happy.

This is not a junior PM role. Helm is looking for someone who can independently lead major mechanical construction projects and manage the financial and operational side of the business.

Screening Questions

How many years of mechanical construction experience do you have, and how many years have you worked as a Project Manager/Senior Project Manager?

What is the largest mechanical construction project you have managed, and what was the project value?

What types of mechanical systems have you managed? (HVAC, plumbing, piping, sheet metal, etc.)

Do you have experience with full project financial management, including P&L, estimating, GMPs, budgeting, forecasting, and change orders?

Have you managed large project teams and worked directly with owners, Construction Managers, subcontractors, and A/E firms?

Do you have experience with large/complex projects such as data centers, healthcare, industrial facilities, or stadiums?

Are you comfortable with the Cleveland/Hobart location and, if required, significant travel or project-based relocation?