Senior Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager MEP Unit Manager

Job Description

The Project Manager MEP Unit Manager leads and oversees all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) functions on large, complex construction projects. This role manages MEP design coordination, project execution, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and quality to ensure successful project delivery from pre-construction through completion. The MEP Unit Manager serves as the primary MEP point of contact for project teams, clients, consultants, and subcontractors while mentoring teams and driving consistent, high-quality outcomes across multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate all MEP activities from pre-construction through project completion on large construction projects.
• Serve as the primary MEP liaison for project teams, clients, consultants, and subcontractors, ensuring clear communication and alignment.
• Review mechanical, electrical, and plumbing designs for constructability, completeness, and compliance with project requirements.
• Manage MEP project execution, including installation oversight, equipment installation coordination, and field issue resolution.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues related to MEP systems in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support and oversee MEP budgeting, including cost development, cost tracking, and alignment with overall project budgets.
• Participate in and support procurement activities, including equipment procurement and subcontractor selection for MEP scopes.
• Develop, monitor, and maintain MEP schedules, ensuring alignment with overall project milestones and critical path activities.
• Manage change control related to MEP scopes, including evaluating impacts, developing solutions, and communicating changes to stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate project risks related to MEP systems, contracts, and execution while ensuring quality, safety, and schedule performance.
• Ensure MEP scopes comply with construction contracts, project specifications, and design-build delivery requirements.
• Collaborate with preconstruction teams to support estimating, design coordination, and planning for MEP systems.
• Drive successful project outcomes by managing MEP components of construction project management, including documentation and reporting.
• Mentor and develop project team members, sharing technical expertise in MEP systems and construction management.
• Support organizational growth by contributing to best practices, process improvements, and knowledge sharing within the MEP function.
• Work closely with leadership and project stakeholders to manage profitability and deliver complex projects on time and within budget.
• Engage in regular meetings with internal teams and external partners to review progress, address issues, and maintain strong working relationships.
• Support multiple concurrent projects, balancing priorities in a fast-paced construction environment.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor"s degree or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience managing MEP systems on large construction projects.
• Proven experience with design-build project delivery methods.
• Experience with GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price), lump sum, and hard-bid project delivery methods.
• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in commercial and industrial construction.
• Solid understanding of construction contracts related to MEP scopes.
• Demonstrated expertise in MEP budgeting, cost control, and financial oversight.
• Experience developing and managing project schedules for MEP work.
• Proven ability to identify, assess, and mitigate project risks related to MEP systems and construction activities.
• Track record of successfully leading project teams and managing complex projects to completion.
• Experience managing project profitability and financial performance.
• Strong client-facing communication skills, including the ability to present technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to influence, motivate, and guide project teams.
• Proficiency in construction project management principles and practices, with a focus on MEP systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in the food and beverage industry.
• Experience delivering industrial, manufacturing, distribution, or mission-critical projects.
• Hands-on experience with equipment procurement and installation.
• Advanced estimating capabilities for MEP scopes and overall project costs.
• Advanced scheduling and preconstruction expertise, particularly for complex MEP systems.
• Experience mentoring project teams and supporting organizational growth and capability building.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including design, construction, and operations stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions under time and budget constraints.

Work Environment

This position is ideally based in Lexington, Kentucky, with the role reporting into the Lexington office; candidates located in Atlanta, Georgia, or Dallas, Texas will also be considered. The role is primarily office-based, with frequent collaboration across project teams, clients, consultants, and subcontractors. Occasional visits to active construction sites are required to oversee MEP activities, review progress, and resolve field issues. The work environment is fast-paced and dynamic, requiring the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously. The position involves frequent computer work, meetings, and stakeholder interaction in a professional office setting, along with exposure to typical construction site conditions during site visits. Physical requirements include the ability to work in both office and construction site environments, occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds, and the flexibility to travel as needed. Some overtime may be required to meet project deadlines and support critical project milestones. The culture emphasizes teamwork, accountability, strong relationships, and collaboration with top industry professionals. Team members have opportunities to work on high-profile, complex projects across manufacturing, food and beverage, data centers, and advanced technology markets, with clear paths for career growth, leadership development, and meaningful impact.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Lexington, KY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $155000.00 - $230000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

401K, Dental, Vision, Health

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Lexington, KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Lexington,KY.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.