Project Lead Jobs in Columbus, OH

Commercial HVAC Project Manager – Construction

Mechanical Optimizers | Columbus, Ohio
Full-Time | Commercial HVAC / Mechanical Construction

About Mechanical Optimizers

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.

What You'll Own

Project Execution

• Take ownership of projects from estimating turnover through final completion and closeout.
• Review contracts, scopes, estimates, drawings, specifications, submittals, 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.

Financial Performance

• 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.

Field & Schedule Management

• 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.

This is not intended to be a desk-only project management position. Successful PMs at Mechanical Optimizers understand what is happening in the field and stay connected to the people performing the work.

Project Administration & Change Management

• 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.

Quality & Closeout

• 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.

What We're Looking For

• 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 submittals.
• 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. 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.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites throughout the region.

The Person Who Will Be Successful Here

We are looking for someone who:

• 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.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: Industry competitive salary range, depending on experience and demonstrated capabilities.

Performance Incentive: Target opportunity of approximately 15%, based on individual, branch, and company performance.

Mechanical Optimizers also offers a competitive benefits package including:

• 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

Location

Columbus, Ohio

This position is primarily based in our Columbus operation with regular travel to active project sites.

Join Mechanical Optimizers

If you are a commercial HVAC or mechanical construction professional who understands both how the work gets built and how a project makes money, we would like to hear from you.

Mechanical Optimizers is an Equal Opportunity Employer