Senior Mechanical Project Manager
Locations: Buffalo, Rochester, or Albany, NY
We’re looking for an experienced Senior Mechanical Project Manager to lead complex commercial and industrial mechanical construction projects across Upstate New York. This is a senior-level role for someone who understands both the field and the financial side of mechanical construction . You’ll be responsible for delivering major projects profitably, overseeing multiple project teams, developing Project Managers, coordinating closely with field leadership and fabrication/VDC teams, and helping shape how projects are executed across the region. The right person will have a strong background with a mechanical contractor and experience managing large HVAC, piping, plumbing, or process-mechanical projects in a union construction environment. What You’ll Own You’ll take responsibility for the successful delivery of significant mechanical construction projects and portfolios, including: Leading projects from preconstruction and turnover through execution, commissioning, and closeout
Managing individual mechanical projects valued at $5M+ and broader project portfolios exceeding $15M
Owning project financial performance, including forecasting, cost-to-complete, labor performance, procurement, change management, and gross margin
Identifying project risks early and developing plans to protect schedule, quality, and profitability
Leading and mentoring Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, and other project-team members
Working closely with Superintendents, field leadership, and union trades to ensure projects are staffed and executed effectively
Coordinating with VDC/BIM and fabrication teams to maximize prefabrication, constructability, labor efficiency, and schedule performance
Overseeing major equipment, subcontractor, and long-lead procurement
Partnering with regional leadership on manpower planning, resource allocation, and project capacity
Maintaining strong relationships with owners, general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and labor partners
Reinforcing a high-performing safety culture across all assigned projects
Driving operational improvements and helping establish consistent project-management standards across the organization
What We’re Looking For We’re interested in experienced mechanical-construction professionals who have operated beyond basic project coordination and have taken real ownership of project outcomes. Strong candidates will bring: Significant project-management experience with a commercial or industrial mechanical contractor
Proven responsibility for $5M+ individual projects
Experience managing a $15M+ portfolio of concurrent work
Strong knowledge of commercial HVAC, plumbing, piping, process piping, or related mechanical systems
Hands-on ownership of project budgets, forecasting, change orders, labor productivity, procurement, and profitability
Experience working in a union construction environment
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with union field labor, foremen, superintendents, and labor leadership
Experience leading, mentoring, or developing Project Managers and project teams
Strong communication skills with executives, customers, subcontractors, field leadership, and internal operations teams
A practical understanding of VDC/BIM, prefabrication, fabrication-shop coordination, or lean construction methods
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
A bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred, but substantial relevant mechanical-construction experience may be equally valuable. Backgrounds That Could Be a Strong Fit You may currently hold a title such as: Senior Project Manager, Mechanical Project Manager, Senior Mechanical Project Manager, HVAC Project Manager, Project Executive, Mechanical Project Executive, Project Director, or Mechanical Operations Manager. Experience in environments such as healthcare, higher education, industrial manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, central plants, institutional construction, or other complex commercial mechanical projects is especially relevant. Why This Role This is an opportunity to move beyond simply managing your own jobs. You’ll have the ability to influence how projects are staffed and executed, mentor other Project Managers, improve operational performance, work closely with executive leadership, and play a meaningful role in the growth of a major mechanical-construction operation. For a strong Senior PM who is already handling large projects and looking for broader leadership responsibility, this can be a natural next step toward Project Executive or operational leadership . About Sperton We are a recruitment and consulting company with an international reach. We are committed to helping our clients achieve success in their hiring processes, finding the right people for the right positions.