Commercial HVAC Project Manager

Mechanical Optimizers, LLC • Cincinnati, OH

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Mechanical Optimizers is a commercial HVAC and mechanical contractor serving customers throughout Ohio and Kentucky. Our work includes commercial construction, design-build, equipment replacement, retrofit/special projects, preventive maintenance, and service. We are looking for an experienced Commercial HVAC Project Manager to join our Columbus operation. This position is for someone who wants real ownership of projects—not simply responsibility for paperwork and meetings. The Project Manager owns the successful execution of assigned projects from turnover through final closeout, including financial performance, schedule, procurement, change management, customer relationships, field coordination, quality, and documentation.

Requirements

• 5+ years of commercial HVAC, mechanical construction, or related project management experience preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of commercial HVAC construction, including equipment, ductwork, piping, controls, and coordination with electrical and other trades.
• Ability to read and understand construction drawings, specifications, contracts, schedules, and submittmitts.
• Experience managing project budgets, job costs, gross margin, cost-to-complete, change orders, and progress billing.
• Strong understanding of construction scheduling and field manpower requirements.
• Comfortable communicating directly with owners, general contractors, engineers, field personnel, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Working knowledge of construction/project-management software, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and related business systems.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites throughout the region.

Nice To Haves

• Procore experience is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related discipline is helpful but not required. Relevant mechanical trade, field leadership, estimating, or project-management experience may be equally valuable.
• Takes ownership rather than waiting for someone else to solve a problem.
• Understands that schedule, quality, and profitability have to work together.
• Knows the numbers and understands where each project stands financially.
• Communicates problems early instead of allowing surprises to develop.
• Builds strong relationships with field employees as well as customers.
• Can be firm when protecting scope and change-order rights while remaining professional and solutions-oriented.
• Is comfortable making decisions and being accountable for the results.
• Wants to help build a strong and growing Columbus operation.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of projects from estimating turnover through final completion and closeout.
• Review contracts, scopes, estimates, drawings, specifications, submittmits, schedules, and project requirements before work begins.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, procurement plans, equipment tracking, and critical milestones.
• Coordinate with general contractors, owners, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and internal field teams.
• Proactively identify schedule, scope, material, manpower, and coordination issues before they impact the project.
• Own the project budget and gross margin from award through completion.
• Monitor committed costs, labor performance, equipment/material costs, subcontractors, and cost-to-complete.
• Identify margin risks early and develop corrective actions.
• Manage equipment and subcontractor buyout.
• Identify, price, document, submit, negotiate, and track change orders.
• Support accurate monthly billing, AIA applications, WIP reporting, retainage, and collections.
• Maintain accurate forecasts of project cost, revenue, margin, and remaining exposure.
• Work closely with Field Managers, foremen, and installers to establish manpower and installation plans.
• Maintain regular presence on active jobsites and understand actual field conditions.
• Ensure materials, equipment, information, and decisions are available before the field needs them.
• Track productivity and schedule performance and take action when projects begin falling behind.
• Coordinate work with other trades and resolve field conflicts quickly.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, project documentation, meeting requirements, and correspondence.
• Maintain strong documentation of scope changes, delays, impacts, directives, and customer decisions.
• Protect Mechanical Optimizers' contractual and financial interests while maintaining professional customer relationships.
• Ensure additional work is properly documented and authorized before it becomes uncompensated work.
• Ensure installations meet contract documents, approved submittals, applicable codes, manufacturer requirements, and Mechanical Optimizers' quality standards.
• Coordinate startup, testing, controls, TAB, commissioning, and punch-list completion as applicable.
• Drive timely project closeout, including as-builts, O&M manuals, warranties, final change orders, and required documentation.
• Help transition completed projects and customer relationships to our Service team where appropriate.

Benefits

• Medical insurance options
• Dental and vision coverage
• 401(k) company contribution
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Company-provided tools and technology necessary to perform the role
• Professional growth opportunities within a growing multi-branch commercial HVAC organization

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree