Job Title: Construction Project Manager Mechanical / Data Center ProjectsJob DescriptionThis role leads large-scale mechanical construction projects, with a strong focus on HVAC systems for mission-critical facilities such as data centers, hospitals, and industrial plants. The Construction Project Manager acquires new business, builds and maintains strong client relationships, and oversees the full project lifecyclefrom estimating and contract support through execution, closeout, and customer handoffwhile meeting cost, quality, schedule, equipment utilization, and safety objectives.
Responsibilities
- Actively pursue and acquire new business opportunities by developing and maintaining strong client relationships and delivering compelling presentations to prospective clients.
- Review and interpret project plans, specifications, and contractual documents to develop a clear understanding of project scope and requirements.
- Prepare detailed project estimates, budgets, and schedules, and assist in project contract negotiations to ensure alignment with company and client expectations.
- Monitor adherence to project budgets, schedules, and quality standards through regular job site visits, progress reports, and performance evaluations.
- Attend job site meetings, safety meetings, and progress reviews to stay informed on field activities and to address issues proactively.
- Work closely with field supervision and crews to coordinate day-to-day construction activities and ensure safe, efficient execution of mechanical scopes of work.
- Collaborate with architects and engineers to resolve design-related construction issues, including coordinating, processing, and obtaining timely approvals 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 manage change orders to reflect scope adjustments, ensuring transparency and alignment with client expectations.
- Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate manpower, equipment, tools, and supply needs to achieve project objectives efficiently and safely.
- Purchase equipment and standardized materials, and monitor the maintenance, safeguarding, and proper utilization of equipment, tools, and supplies.
- Ensure equipment is properly repaired and maintained upon completion of each job, coordinating with appropriate internal teams or vendors.
- Manage administrative aspects of contracts, including change orders, rental equipment, timesheet coding, billing, expenses, and collections, in close collaboration with administrative and accounting staff.
- Communicate all financial details, including budget status and cost trends, to appropriate internal and external stakeholders in a clear and timely manner.
- Develop and maintain sound working relationships with union field employees and local business representatives, participating in joint labor-management committees and apprenticeship subcommittees as needed.
- Develop a thorough understanding of applicable labor agreements and apply them appropriately in day-to-day project and workforce management.
- Lead the job closeout process, including resolution of punch list items, coordination and recording of as-built drawings to reflect all changes from original plans, and distribution of all operating and maintenance manuals to the customer.
- Strengthen customer relationships by hosting or participating in company-supported events, including community, athletic, and performing arts activities relevant to client interests.
- Participate in annual divisional and departmental meetings and social functions, representing the project team and contributing to broader organizational goals.
- Provide leadership and guidance to project teams and field crews, either directly or through forepersons, ensuring alignment with project goals and company standards.
- Track, manage, and report on a wide range of project budgets, including mechanical scopes, major equipment packages, and subcontractor costs.
- Support and coordinate multiple mechanical scopes on large, complex projects such as data centers, utility plants, hospitals, and industrial facilities.
- Serve on corporate or special division committees and contribute to special projects as assigned.
- Perform other duties and special projects as required to support successful project delivery and client satisfaction.
Essential Skills
- 37 years of construction experience as a Project Manager specifically with a mechanical contractor overseeing HVAC work.
- Experience as a Project Manager on large commercial, utility plant, industrial, hospital, or data center projects, with significant mechanical scopes of work.
- Experience overseeing the mechanical scope on a large-scale data center project, including projects in the range of approximately $200M or greater.
- 510 years of construction experience working on-site with a variety of different contractors, with a strong preference for mechanical backgrounds (GC or other trades experience considered if translatable).
- Bachelors degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field such as Business.
- Demonstrated experience with project estimating and budgeting for large-scale construction projects.
- Proven ability to manage and coordinate mechanical scopes, including HVAC, chillers, underground mechanical systems, and interior mechanical systems.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to complex construction and design coordination issues.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with clients, design teams, field personnel, and union representatives.
- Clear and professional verbal and written communication skills for interaction with clients, partners, and internal stakeholders.
- Comfort leading and guiding project teams and supervising field crews through forepersons or other field leaders.
- Comfort and proficiency in tracking, maintaining, and reporting on multiple project budgets simultaneously.
- Confident, proactive personality capable of taking ownership of mechanical scopes on large, complex projects.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working for a mechanical contractor with primary responsibility over HVAC and mechanical scopes of work.
- Experience on mission-critical projects such as data centers and other facilities requiring high reliability and complex mechanical systems.
- Experience coordinating mechanical scopes on projects contracted under joint ventures or large general contractors.
- Familiarity with union environments and prior participation in joint labor-management committees or apprenticeship subcommittees.
- Experience managing change orders, rental equipment, and other contract administration activities.
- Experience with project closeout processes, including punch list resolution, as-built documentation, and delivery of operating and maintenance manuals.
- Ability to represent the company at customer-facing events, community functions, and internal divisional or departmental meetings.
- Willingness to travel and work on long-term, multi-year projects, including out-of-state assignments with per diem support.
- Openness to roles at different levels (mid-level or junior Project Manager) provided there is relevant experience with large projects, data centers, or mission-critical facilities.
Work EnvironmentThis position supports the HVAC division with a primary focus on large data center work, including a major data center project in Port Washington. Depending on the candidates location, the Project Manager may work from an office in Wauwatosa as needed while spending significant time on-site. The project involves a substantial mechanical scope, including underground mechanical systems, chillers, HVAC systems, and interior mechanical work on a large, complex facility. The environment is highly collaborative, with a multidisciplinary team already in place, including leadership for HVAC, commissioning, quality, scheduling, and project controls. The role typically requires a work schedule of approximately 4050 hours per week, often structured as five 10-hour days with an additional 8-hour shift on Saturdays. Saturday work is expected to taper off over time to approximately one Saturday every fourth or fifth week. The position is part of a long-term, multi-year project and may involve out-of-state assignments, for which a daily per diem is provided according to applicable rates. The company offers 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 culture emphasizes safety, teamwork, strong customer relationships, and active participation in company and community events, creating a professional yet supportive work environment for long-term career growth. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Milwaukee, WI. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $43.00 - $57.00/hr. 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.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) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Milwaukee, WI. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Milwaukee,WI.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.