MEP COE Director, Retail Construction

JLL•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. What this job involves: Leading the development and operation of a national MEP Center of Excellence for a premier financial services client's retail construction program. This role combines deep technical expertise with strategic program management, serving as the single point of contact for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems across hundreds of retail banking locations annually. You'll establish standardized quality control processes that span all regions, enhance design consistency across external engineering partners and general contractors, and provide expert technical guidance on priority MEP challenges throughout the project lifecycle—from entitlements through turnover. At JLL, we are collectively shaping a brighter way for our clients, ourselves and our fellow employees, and this position exemplifies that commitment by driving measurable improvements in construction quality, energy efficiency, and operational performance. Beyond quality assurance, you'll serve as the technical program manager for critical building infrastructure initiatives including rooftop solar PV systems, variable refrigerant flow HVAC, building commissioning protocols, advanced lighting controls, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on how sustainable, high-performance retail banking environments are designed and delivered across the country, working at the intersection of engineering excellence, operational efficiency, and environmental stewardship. What your day-to-day will look like: Develop and continuously refine MEP design standards, best practices, and quality control processes for retail banking projects including freestanding branches, tenant improvement locations, co-located office spaces, and airport lounges Conduct formal peer reviews of MEP designs at critical project milestones (50% construction documents and 90% construction documents) for approximately 30 projects annually, evaluating both technical design quality and operational efficiency considerations Provide regular training sessions to Architects of Record, Engineers of Record, and internal design managers on current MEP best practices and evolving client standards Serve as the primary technical liaison between retail construction teams, sustainability initiatives, and facilities management groups for specialized systems including VRF HVAC, rooftop solar, commissioning protocols, and building controls Analyze facilities work orders and commissioning issue logs bi-annually to identify trends, determine root causes, and implement design or process improvements that prevent recurring problems Attend HVAC system startups and commissioning functional tests in the New York tri-state area to ensure proper installation and provide hands-on technical support Manage prototype design updates across multiple project types by coordinating with external engineers and architects to enhance standardized drawings, details, and riser diagrams Meet quarterly with retail facilities management teams to understand operational concerns from recently completed projects and develop solutions that improve future deliveries Support the client's decarbonization initiatives by providing technical subject matter expertise on refrigerants, HVAC system selection, renewable energy integration, and water conservation measures

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
10-15+ years of progressive experience in MEP design, construction management, or building systems engineering with focus on commercial or retail environments
Deep technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems including HVAC design, electrical service sizing, lighting controls, and building automation systems
Proven experience conducting design reviews, quality assurance assessments, and technical peer reviews on construction projects
Strong understanding of energy efficiency principles, commissioning processes, and operational considerations that impact long-term building performance
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement technical standards, best practices, and quality control processes across multiple projects or regions
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to train diverse audiences and prepare clear technical documentation
Willingness to travel 5-10 times annually for site visits, client meetings, and internal conferences (typically 1-3 days per trip)
Proficiency with construction documentation review and ability to provide detailed markup comments on engineering drawings

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license in Mechanical Engineering
Experience with variable refrigerant flow (VRF) HVAC systems and dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS)
Knowledge of renewable energy systems, particularly rooftop solar photovoltaic design and integration
Familiarity with building commissioning standards (ASHRAE Guideline 0 or 1.1, LEED, or similar protocols)
Background in sustainable building design, LEED projects, or corporate decarbonization initiatives
Prior experience working with national retail chains, financial institutions, or other clients with standardized prototype designs
Understanding of facilities management operations and the transition from construction to building operations
Experience managing relationships with multiple external consultants, contractors, and vendor partners across different geographic regions

Responsibilities

Develop and continuously refine MEP design standards, best practices, and quality control processes for retail banking projects including freestanding branches, tenant improvement locations, co-located office spaces, and airport lounges
Conduct formal peer reviews of MEP designs at critical project milestones (50% construction documents and 90% construction documents) for approximately 30 projects annually, evaluating both technical design quality and operational efficiency considerations
Provide regular training sessions to Architects of Record, Engineers of Record, and internal design managers on current MEP best practices and evolving client standards
Serve as the primary technical liaison between retail construction teams, sustainability initiatives, and facilities management groups for specialized systems including VRF HVAC, rooftop solar, commissioning protocols, and building controls
Analyze facilities work orders and commissioning issue logs bi-annually to identify trends, determine root causes, and implement design or process improvements that prevent recurring problems
Attend HVAC system startups and commissioning functional tests in the New York tri-state area to ensure proper installation and provide hands-on technical support
Manage prototype design updates across multiple project types by coordinating with external engineers and architects to enhance standardized drawings, details, and riser diagrams
Meet quarterly with retail facilities management teams to understand operational concerns from recently completed projects and develop solutions that improve future deliveries
Support the client's decarbonization initiatives by providing technical subject matter expertise on refrigerants, HVAC system selection, renewable energy integration, and water conservation measures