Job Title: Construction Project Manager - Mechanical
Job site is in Port Washington, WI, per diem is available for 7 days/week.
Job Description
The Construction Project Manager leads large-scale mechanical construction projects, with a strong focus on data center work and HVAC systems. This role actively develops new business, manages all phases of project execution from preconstruction through closeout, and ensures projects meet cost, schedule, quality, equipment utilization, and safety objectives. The position requires a confident leader with mechanical project management experience who can build strong client relationships, coordinate with architects and engineers, and guide field teams to deliver complex projects successfully.
Responsibilities
Actively pursue and acquire new business opportunities by developing and maintaining strong client relationships and conducting presentations to prospective clients.
Review and interpret proposed project plans, specifications, and other contractual documents to fully understand project scope and requirements.
Prepare detailed project estimates, budgets, and schedules, and assist in project contract negotiations to secure favorable terms.
Monitor adherence to budgets, schedules, and quality standards by attending job site meetings, reviewing project progress reports, and conducting performance evaluations.
Participate in safety meetings and work closely with field supervision to promote and enforce a strong safety culture on all job sites.
Collaborate with architects and engineers to resolve design-related construction issues, including the timely processing, review, and approval of project shop drawings.
Keep customers fully informed of project progress, key milestones, and any significant issues that may affect design, schedule, or costs.
Negotiate fee changes and change orders with clients and stakeholders when project scope or conditions change.
Ensure projects are completed and turned over to the full satisfaction of the customer, including final acceptance and sign-off.
Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate manpower, equipment, tools, and supply needs within the department to achieve project objectives efficiently.
Purchase equipment and standardized materials, and monitor the maintenance, safeguarding, and proper use of equipment, tools, and supplies.
Oversee the repair and proper disposition of equipment upon completion of each job.
Manage all administrative aspects of contracts, including change orders, rental equipment, timesheet coding, billing, expenses, and collections, by working closely with administrative and accounting staff.
Communicate all financial details and project cost information to appropriate internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner.
Maintain sound working relationships with union field employees and local business representatives, and participate in joint labor management committees and apprenticeship subcommittees as needed.
Develop a thorough understanding of applicable labor agreements and ensure compliance on all assigned projects.
Complete the job closeout process, including resolving punch list items, recording as-built drawings to reflect all changes from the original design, and distributing all operating and maintenance manuals to the customer.
Strengthen customer relationships by hosting and participating in company-supported events and community-related functions.
Attend annual divisional and departmental meetings and social functions as required to stay aligned with organizational goals and initiatives.
Lead, guide, and support project teams and field crews, often through forepersons, to ensure coordinated execution of mechanical scopes of work.
Oversee mechanical scopes on large-scale projects, including underground work, chillers, HVAC systems, and interior mechanical installations on data center projects.
Track, manage, and maintain a wide range of project budgets, proactively addressing variances and implementing corrective actions when needed.
Support and collaborate with internal project stakeholders, including HVAC leadership, commissioning, quality, scheduling, and project controls personnel.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned, and serve on corporate or special division committees when required.
Essential Skills
3-7 years of construction experience as a Project Manager, specifically managing mechanical scopes of work on large projects such as industrial facilities, hospitals, or data centers.
Experience overseeing the mechanical scope on large-scale projects, including data center projects with budgets of approximately $200M or more.
Proven project management experience in mechanical construction, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and field coordination.
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field such as Business.
Experience with project estimating and cost control for large-scale construction projects.
Demonstrated ability to lead and guide teams involved with company projects and to supervise field crews through forepersons.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to complex construction and design issues.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with clients, field staff, and project partners.
Effective verbal and written communication skills for interacting with customers, design professionals, internal teams, and trade partners.
Comfort managing and tracking a wide range of project budgets and financial details.
Confident, decisive personality capable of taking ownership of mechanical scopes and driving projects to successful completion.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
5-10 years of overall construction experience working on-site with a variety of contractors is preferred.
Background with a mechanical contractor is strongly preferred; experience with general contractors or other trades may be considered if clearly translatable.
Experience overseeing mechanical scopes on large-scale projects, including underground, chillers, HVAC, and interior mechanical systems.
Prior experience supporting data center projects, particularly those with large mechanical packages, is highly desirable.
Experience working within union environments and familiarity with labor agreements.
Comfort participating in client-facing events, community functions, and company-sponsored activities to strengthen customer relationships.
Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including commissioning, quality, scheduling, and project controls.
Capability to serve on corporate or special division committees and contribute to broader organizational initiatives.
Work Environment
This role supports the HVAC division with a primary focus on data center projects, including a major data center in Port Washington. The Construction Project Manager spends significant time on-site, working closely with field teams and project stakeholders while also coordinating with office-based staff. The project scope covers a full range of mechanical systems, including underground work, chillers, HVAC equipment, and interior mechanical installations within the data center facility. You will collaborate with a robust project team that already includes HVAC leadership, commissioning specialists, quality professionals, and scheduling/project controls personnel. The typical work schedule ranges from approximately 40 to 50 hours per week, often structured as five 10-hour days plus an 8-hour shift on Saturday; Saturday work is expected to taper over time to roughly every fourth or fifth week. The organization offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, a matching 401(k) plan, paid time off, nine paid holidays, identity theft protection, life insurance, and short-term and long-term disability coverage. The environment is fast-paced, collaborative, and safety-focused, with a strong emphasis on quality, client satisfaction, and long-term customer relationships.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $43.00 - $57.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Cedar Rapids,IA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 5, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC-with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.
