Position Summary
The Commercial HVAC Project Manager is responsible for the successful execution of multiple concurrent commercial HVAC projects — typically 3 to 5 active jobs at a time — spanning new construction, tenant improvement, and system replacement work. This role is the driving force behind keeping each project on schedule and on budget: directing field foremen, managing install technician hours and labor allocation, coordinating materials and equipment, and serving as the primary point of contact for general contractors, property owners, and property managers. The ideal candidate is a strong, hands-on leader who can hold crews accountable, solve problems in the field, and represent Knight Mechanical professionally in front of clients.
Key ResponsibilitiesProject Oversight & Scheduling
- Manage 3–5 active commercial HVAC projects simultaneously, from award through closeout, ensuring each stays on schedule and within budget.
- Develop and maintain project schedules; coordinate sequencing across multiple job sites to keep crews and materials moving efficiently.
- Conduct regular site visits and inspections to monitor progress, quality, and jobsite conditions.
- Identify schedule risks or delays early and proactively adjust manpower, materials, or sequencing to keep projects on track.
- Coordinate project milestones, inspections, and turnover dates with foremen, GCs, and ownership.
Field Supervision & Labor Management
- Directly oversee project foremen, ensuring each crew is executing to plan, staying on schedule, and meeting quality standards.
- Review and approve install technician hours and timecards across all assigned projects; monitor labor budgets against actual hours worked.
- Allocate technicians and foremen across active jobs based on project priority, manpower needs, and skill level.
- Hold foremen and technicians accountable to company standards, safety protocols, and productivity expectations.
- Administer discipline when necessary — including verbal and written warnings, performance corrective action, and escalation to ownership/HR for serious issues — in a fair, consistent, and well-documented manner.
- Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and direction to field staff, and resolve personnel conflicts as they arise.
Budget & Cost Control
- Track job costs against budget for labor, materials, and equipment on each active project; flag and address overruns quickly.
- Review and process change orders, ensuring scope changes are documented, priced, and approved before work proceeds.
- Coordinate procurement and delivery of major equipment and materials to avoid delays or cost overruns.
- Provide regular cost and progress reporting to ownership on the status of all assigned projects.
Client, General Contractor & Owner Relations
- Serve as Knight Mechanical's primary point of contact on assigned projects for general contractors, property owners, architects, and property managers.
- Attend job site meetings, owner-architect-contractor (OAC) meetings, and progress meetings as required.
- Communicate proactively and professionally with GCs and owners regarding schedule, scope, issues, and change orders.
- Resolve field-level conflicts and design or coordination issues in collaboration with GCs, engineers, and architects.
- Build and maintain long-term relationships that support repeat business and Knight Mechanical's reputation for reliability.
Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Enforce jobsite safety protocols and ensure crews follow OSHA and company safety standards at all times.
- Ensure all installations meet code, manufacturer specifications, and contract requirements.
- Manage plan submittals, permitting, and inspection compliance for assigned projects.
- Conduct or coordinate quality inspections throughout each project's lifecycle.
Administrative & Project Closeout
- Manage project documentation, including submittals, RFIs, daily reports, and as-built drawings.
- Coordinate billing, cost coding, and collections with the office/accounting team.
- Lead job closeout: punch list resolution, O&M manual delivery, test-and-balance report filing, and warranty documentation.
- Perform other duties as assigned by ownership or operations management.
QualificationsExperience & Education
- Minimum 5+ years of experience in commercial HVAC construction, with prior experience managing multiple simultaneous projects.
- Prior experience supervising foremen and field technicians required.
- Background as an HVAC foreman, lead technician, or field superintendent is a strong plus.
- Trade school, technical certification, or degree in HVAC, construction management, or mechanical engineering preferred but not required with equivalent field experience.
Skills & Abilities
- Ability to read and interpret mechanical plans, specifications, and construction documents.
- Strong working knowledge of commercial HVAC systems, installation practices, and code requirements.
- Proven ability to manage budgets, labor hours, and schedules across multiple concurrent jobs.
- Strong leadership presence — able to direct, motivate, and, when necessary, discipline field personnel fairly and consistently.
- Excellent communication skills, with the professionalism to represent the company directly to GCs, architects, and building owners.
- Proficient with project management, scheduling, and timekeeping tools (e.g., Microsoft Office/Project, Procore, Bluebeam, or similar).
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure in the field.
Other Requirements
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for travel between job sites across Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.
- Ability to pass a background check and drug screening.
- OSHA 30 certification preferred, or willingness to obtain.
- Ability to walk job sites, climb ladders, and access mechanical rooms and rooftops as needed for inspections.
What Knight Mechanical Offers
Knight Mechanical Services, Inc. has spent over 25 years building a reputation across Southern California for precision workmanship, honest pricing, and long-term client relationships. This role offers the opportunity to lead field operations for a growing, well-respected commercial HVAC contractor with a steady, diverse pipeline of new construction, tenant improvement, and maintenance work across four counties.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
