Metro General Manager

MARS Solutions Group is looking for an experienced Metro General Manager Fire in Chicago, IL. Our client is a building automation industry Leader looking for high-quality talent to make a difference. They are known to respect a traditional work week and often extend contracts for added job security and stability

Position Overview

Our client is seeking a dynamic and experienced Metro General Manager Fire to lead a large-scale fire systems, service, sales, and project delivery business within a major metropolitan market.

This executive leadership role is responsible for translating enterprise strategy into local market execution while driving sustainable growth, operational excellence, profitability, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement.

The ideal candidate is a strong business operator with experience leading complex field organizations and cross-functional teams within the fire/life safety, building systems, controls, mechanical services, construction services, industrial services, or related technical industries.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the metropolitan Fire business with overall accountability for growth, operational execution, profitability, and customer experience.

Develop and execute market strategies aligned with broader organizational growth objectives.

Own the business P&L, including budgeting, forecasting, financial performance, and resource planning.

Drive revenue growth, margin improvement, operational efficiency, and sustainable business performance.

Lead and develop cross-functional teams across sales, operations, service, project management, and related functions.

Build and maintain executive-level relationships with key customers, strategic partners, and other stakeholders.

Strengthen customer retention and identify opportunities to expand existing business relationships.

Ensure disciplined execution of service programs, projects, inventory management, cost controls, and operational commitments.

Monitor market trends, customer needs, competitive activity, and industry developments to inform business strategy.

Establish clear performance expectations and accountability throughout the organization.

Develop high-potential leaders, strengthen succession planning, and build a strong leadership pipeline.

Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, and customer satisfaction.

Champion all applicable safety, regulatory, compliance, and quality standards across business operations.

Leadership Approach

The successful leader will:

Drive accountability: Establish clear priorities, monitor performance against business plans, and proactively address operational, financial, safety, and customer risks.

Stay close to the business: Maintain a strong understanding of customer expectations, field execution, operational challenges, and market conditions.

Drive continuous improvement: Use business reviews, data analysis, root-cause problem solving, and process improvement to strengthen productivity, margins, quality, and consistency.

Build cross-functional alignment: Create strong collaboration between sales, operations, service, and project delivery teams around shared business objectives.

Make data-driven decisions: Balance near-term financial and operational performance with long-term market development and growth opportunities.

Develop people: Lead through transparency, coaching, mentoring, and clear communication while empowering managers and frontline leaders.

Prioritize safety and quality: Maintain a strong safety culture and operational discipline across customer interactions, field activities, projects, and service commitments.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline.

10+ years of progressive leadership experience within fire/life safety systems and services, building automation, controls, mechanical services, construction services, industrial services, or a related technical industry.

Significant experience leading geographically dispersed teams and complex field operations.

Proven experience managing a substantial P&L and delivering sustainable revenue and profit growth.

Strong background in strategic planning, operational leadership, financial management, and business development.

Experience leading multiple functions, including sales, operations, service, and project execution.

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain executive-level customer and stakeholder relationships.

Strong executive presence with the ability to influence across organizational levels.

Excellent communication, leadership, coaching, and relationship-building skills.

Demonstrated ability to lead through change, manage competing priorities, and drive results in a complex operating environment.

Preferred Qualifications

MBA or other advanced business degree.

Experience leading large-scale field operations within fire/life safety, security systems, building controls, building systems, or related industrial businesses.

Experience leading organizational transformation, operational improvement, or change management initiatives.

Demonstrated success developing leadership pipelines and succession plans.

Experience managing multi-site or metropolitan market operations.

Experience overseeing complex customer portfolios and strategic accounts.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a strategic yet hands-on business leader who combines strong commercial and financial acumen with operational discipline. They should be comfortable managing a significant P&L, leading large geographically dispersed teams, engaging directly with major customers, and developing leaders across the organization.

Success in this role will require the ability to balance growth, profitability, customer experience, operational execution, safety, and people development while building a sustainable and high-performing metropolitan business.

Additional Details:

Duration : Direct Hire

Location : Chicago, IL

About MARS Solutions Group:

MARS Solutions Group provides a range of opportunities for meaningful work by understanding that employment fit is a combination of people, process, and technology. We leverage our experienced and compassionate team to bring humanity to matching you with the right advanced technology role, and stay connected with you to help you attain your professional goals.