Fire Alarm Project Manager

Fire Alarm Project Manager

Location: Raleigh, NC Employment Type: Full-Time

The Fire Alarm Project Manager (PM) is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering fire alarm and life-safety system projects from turnover through closeout. This role manages scope, schedule, budget, subcontractors, documentation, and customer communication to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and in compliance with NFPA and local AHJ requirements.

Project Planning & Execution

• Lead project kickoff and turnover; confirm contract scope, plans/specs, inclusions/exclusions, schedule constraints, and required deliverables.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, manpower plans, and milestone tracking; proactively communicate impacts and recovery plans.
• Coordinate material procurement, equipment lead times, and staging to support installation and testing timelines.
• Direct and support field leadership/technicians; remove roadblocks and ensure crews have clear work plans and documentation.
• Manage subcontractors and specialty vendors (as applicable) including scopes, scheduling, and performance.

Financial & Contract Management

• Track job costs (labor, material, rentals, subcontractors) and forecast cost-to-complete; drive corrective actions when variances occur.
• Manage change order lifecycle: identify scope changes, price/quote, submit per contract requirements, and obtain written authorization prior to execution.
• Prepare and submit timely progress billings and closeout billing per customer/GC requirements (including documentation needed for payment).
• Maintain accurate project files including contract documents, approved change orders, schedules, and customer communications.

Technical Coordination & Code Compliance

• Coordinate design-assist activities, shop drawings, product data, calculations (as required), and submittal packages for approval.
• Ensure installations align with approved submittals, manufacturer requirements, and applicable codes/standards (e.g., NFPA 72) as well as state/local requirements and AHJ expectations.
• Coordinate system programming, device addressing, panel configuration, and integration points (e.g., elevator recall, door releases, HVAC shutdown, sprinkler monitoring) with internal teams and other trades.
• Plan and manage pre-testing, deficiency resolution, and final acceptance testing with the AHJ and other stakeholders.

Customer, General Contractor & Trade Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, general contractors, and inspectors; provide regular updates on progress, constraints, and upcoming activities.
• Participate in OAC and coordination meetings; document decisions and distribute action items.
• Manage RFIs, field coordination items, and schedule dependencies with other trades to avoid delays and rework.
• Confirm site readiness, access, shutdown/outage windows, and required permits prior to work execution.

Documentation, Closeout & Service Transition

• Maintain project documentation including daily reports, progress photos (as required), inspection/testing records, and commissioning/verification forms.
• Deliver closeout packages on time: as-builts, device lists, battery calculations (as required), programming backups, O&M manuals, warranty letters, and training documentation.
• Coordinate customer training and ensure proper handoff to service/inspection teams for ongoing support.
• Close punch lists and warranty items promptly; drive resolution of deficiencies to protect schedule and customer satisfaction.

Safety & Quality

• Enforce company and jobsite safety requirements; lead by example and correct unsafe conditions immediately.
• Ensure crews follow quality standards; perform periodic field audits for workmanship, labeling, device placement, and documentation accuracy.
• Support incident reporting, near-miss reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience managing fire alarm/life-safety projects (or equivalent combination of project management and fire alarm field/technical leadership).
• Working knowledge of fire alarm systems and installation practices; ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and addenda.
• Knowledge of NFPA 72 and general familiarity with applicable building/fire codes and AHJ processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word) and comfort working in a job-costing/project management system.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to manage expectations with customers, GCs, and internal teams.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to job sites as needed.