Senior Project Manager- Central Utility Plant

Job Description

Job Description

Client Company: Ameresco Job Title: Senior Project Manager- Central Utility Plant Location: Denton, TX Work Schedule: onsite full timeClient Job ID: Bullhorn ID: # of Openings: 1Max Submittals: Job Type:Direct roleDuration: Work Authorization: Clearance: n/aBackground/Drug: yesInterview Format: zoom and or in personMax Bill Rate: Pay Range: 80,000 -100,000Additional Notes:

Job Summary Job Title: Senior Project Manager- Central Utility Plant Location: Denton, TX Pay Range: 80,000 -120,000

Job Description

Seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead planning, execution, and delivery of a new modular Central Utility Plant and associated renovation and equipment-replacement projects in Denton, Texas. This is a highly visible, onsite leadership role supporting construction within an active, mission-critical campus utility environment.

The ideal candidate has deep mechanical-construction and project-delivery experience involving central utility plants, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, pumps, chilled-water systems, HVAC infrastructure, electrical systems, shutdowns, tie-ins, commissioning, and complex construction phasing. This individual will provide end-to-end project leadership while coordinating owners, campus facility stakeholders, engineers, commissioning agents, contractors, subcontractors, and internal project teams to protect continuous utility service and deliver safe, high-quality work on schedule and within budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead overall planning, execution, controls, and delivery for installation of a modular central utility plant, including chillers, cooling towers, pumps, piping, electrical distribution, and associated controls.

• Manage construction, renovation, equipment replacement, and infrastructure work in and around an operating central utility plant while maintaining continuous service to campus facilities and critical infrastructure.

• Develop and oversee project execution plans, master schedules, look-ahead schedules, construction sequencing, outage plans, risk logs, recovery plans, and long-lead equipment procurement plans.

• Lead the planning and execution of shutdowns, cutovers, tie-ins, outages, temporary-service plans, and phased construction activities to minimize operational disruption.

• Coordinate closely with university representatives, plant operators, facility directors, engineers, commissioning agents, and campus stakeholders to ensure constructability, system integration, operational readiness, and continuity of service.

• Manage and direct general contractors, mechanical piping, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, controls/BAS, insulation, rigging, crane, and specialty subcontractors.

• Establish and enforce expectations for safety, quality, productivity, schedule adherence, contractual compliance, site coordination, documentation, and issue resolution.

• Conduct regular site walks, field inspections, progress meetings, safety meetings, quality reviews, and schedule-recovery discussions.

• Review subcontractor work plans, scopes, bids, schedules, change requests, pay applications, labor reports, material receipts, and equipment-delivery requirements.

• Manage project budgets, cost forecasts, contingency, commitments, subcontractor invoices, change orders, cash flow, and financial reporting.

• Identify, document, communicate, and mitigate safety, scope, schedule, cost, quality, procurement, and operational risks; elevate critical issues promptly and lead resolution.

• Coordinate logistics for large mechanical and electrical equipment, including equipment deliveries, laydown areas, site access, rigging plans, crane picks, permits, and safety controls.

• Lead quality control and turnover activities, including inspections, functional testing, startup, testing/adjusting/balancing coordination, punch lists, commissioning support, system integration, and final acceptance.

• Ensure accurate and complete project documentation, including progress reports, meeting minutes, schedules, outage plans, risk registers, change documentation, as-built drawings, O&M manuals, warranties, training records, and turnover packages.

• Provide concise, timely reporting to internal leadership and the client on safety, cost, schedule, risks, project progress, and required decisions.

• Serve as the primary client-facing project leader and maintain strong working relationships with university leadership, facilities teams, plant operations, design professionals, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders.

• Champion Ameresco’s Culture of Safety and ensure strict adherence to all company, site, and regulatory safety requirements in energized, operational, and high-risk utility environments.

• Lead a high-performing project team and support the development, coordination, and accountability of project engineers, construction managers, field staff, and subcontractor partners

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, Architecture, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant construction and field leadership experience will be considered.

• Ten or more years of progressively responsible project management, construction management, mechanical construction, superintendent, or field management experience supporting industrial, institutional, healthcare, higher education, utility, or mission-critical facilities.

• Direct experience leading central utility plant, central plant, energy infrastructure, industrial HVAC, mechanical retrofit, or major equipment-replacement projects involving chillers, boilers, cooling towers, chilled-water systems, condenser-water systems, pumps, hydronic piping, steam systems, HVAC infrastructure, electrical distribution, or plant controls .

• Proven success managing multiple general contractors, mechanical, electrical, controls/BAS, plumbing, rigging, and specialty subcontractors on complex construction projects.

• Demonstrated ability to lead shutdowns, tie-ins, cutovers, outages, temporary-service planning, construction phasing, and system turnover in occupied or continuously operating facilities.

• Strong knowledge of project controls, cost forecasting, budget management, change management, schedule management, procurement coordination, and subcontractor invoice/pay-application review.

• Ability to interpret and apply P&IDs, mechanical and electrical drawings, one-line diagrams, equipment submittals, shop drawings, specifications, construction schedules, and commissioning documentation.

• Strong safety record and demonstrated ability to lead safe construction operations in active, energized, industrial, or operational environments.

• OSHA 30 certification, or the ability to obtain it before beginning employment.

• Advanced client-facing communication, leadership, negotiation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Project, as well as construction-management platforms such as Procore, PlanGrid, Bluebeam, Autodesk Build, or equivalent.

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

• Ability to work full time onsite in Denton, Texas.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working for or closely with a major mechanical contractor, HVAC contractor, central-plant contractor, industrial contractor, energy-services company, or self-performing MEP contractor.

• Prior leadership of modular central utility plant construction, chiller replacement, boiler replacement, cooling-tower replacement, plant expansions, temporary cooling/heating, or campus energy infrastructure modernization.

• Higher-education campus, healthcare, airport, data center, manufacturing, laboratory, government, or other mission- critical/continuously operating facility experience.

• PMP, CCM, CEM, CMVP, LEED AP, or equivalent professional certification.

• Experience with commissioning, startup, TAB, controls/BAS integration, energy performance projects, and handoff to plant operations and maintenance teams.

• Experience leading geographically dispersed project teams or multiple concurrent construction workstreams.

Military experience equivalency may substitute for some requirements.

Equal Opportunity Statement

USPRO is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability and/or other protected categories. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodation(s) to qualified individuals with disabilities or needs, as required by law.