Mechanical Contracts Manager – Mechanical Building Services

Mechanical Contracts Manager – M&E Building Services contractor based in Portsmouth, Hampshire
Salary: £70,000 – £85,000 + £5,400 car allowance, plus an excellent benefits package
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Mechanical Contracts Manager, Senior Mechanical Project Manager, or a strong Mechanical Project Manager ready to step up, to join a respected, family-run M&E building services contractor delivering projects across the commercial, office fit-out, healthcare, education, industrial and public-sector markets.
The business is well established, steadily growing, and is widely recognised for delivering high-quality mechanical and electrical building services projects typically ranging from £100k to £2.5m in value. They offer a supportive working culture, a strong project pipeline, and a modern approach to work–life balance, with staff typically finishing at 1.00pm on Fridays, depending on client or project requirements.
The Role
As Mechanical Contracts Manager, you will take full responsibility for the operational, technical and commercial performance of multiple mechanical building services projects, ensuring successful delivery from pre-construction through to handover.
You will lead mechanical project teams, manage client relationships, coordinate design and technical information, and ensure all works are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.
Project & Operational Leadership
* Full mechanical project lifecycle responsibility from design and pre-construction to delivery and handover
* Weekly reporting to the Operations Director
* Supporting, developing and motivating site teams and project engineers
* Ensuring compliance with company standards, processes and expectations
* Driving project performance to achieve “Customer Excellence” and “Perfect Delivery”
Technical Delivery & Design Coordination
* Reviewing mechanical packages, drawings, specifications and contract documents
* Managing external designers and mechanical consultants
* Overseeing technical submittals and approval processes
* Managing RFIs, drawing registers and technical documentation
* Ensuring coordinated working drawings and plant schedules are produced to the required standard
Commercial & Cost Management
* Managing mechanical variations, valuations and commercial reporting
* Monitoring project costs and maintaining positive cashflow
* Supporting procurement of mechanical plant, materials and subcontractors
* Working closely with commercial teams to ensure accurate forecasting and cost control
Health & Safety
* Producing and implementing project-specific mechanical construction phase plans
* Ensuring mechanical works comply with all H&S legislation, audits and procedures
* Monitoring site safety performance and supporting continuous improvement
Client & Stakeholder Management
* Acting as the key point of contact for project delivery
* Attending progress meetings, design coordination workshops and lifecycle reviews
* Ensuring excellent communication and customer satisfaction at all stages
About You
To be successful in this role, you should have:
* Strong experience as a Mechanical Contracts Manager, Senior Mechanical Project Manager, or a capable Mechanical Project Manager ready to step up
* Proven track record delivering mechanical building services projects in the region of £100k and £2.5m
* Excellent technical understanding of mechanical services: heating, ventilation, cooling, domestic services, plant, pipework and mechanical systems
* Experience across both design & build and pre-designed mechanical projects
* Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills
* Good commercial awareness, especially around variations, procurement and cost control
* Ability to manage multiple mechanical projects concurrently
* Full UK driving licence
This role will suit someone who takes ownership, leads from the front, and is confident managing mechanical projects to a high standard.
Remuneration Package – Mechanical Contracts Manager
£70,000 – £85,000 basic salary (dependent on experience)
£5,400 annual car allowance
Company bonus scheme
Monthly performance bonus (details discussed at interview stage)
4.5-day working week, with staff typically finishing at 1.00pm on Fridays (project dependent where client or site requirements require flexibility)
25 days holiday + bank holidays
Additional 2 days holiday after 1 year (birthday month & anniversary month)
Two-week Christmas shutdown (5 days taken from allowance)
Pension scheme (5% employer contribution)
Life assurance (6 × basic salary)
Full training and development support
Employee shareholding (2% share allocation for all staff)
Next Steps
If you are an experienced Mechanical Project Manager, Senior Mechanical Project Manager, or Mechanical Contracts Manager looking for a fresh and exciting new challenge, please apply online today, or contact Rob at David Leslie Ltd for an informal and confidential discussion.
About David Leslie Ltd
David Leslie Ltd is a family-run construction recruitment consultancy with over 20 years’ experience connecting professionals and employers across the UK. Specialising in the Building, Fit-Out, and M&E Building Services sectors, our approach is built on trust, integrity, and long-term partnerships, ensuring both clients and candidates receive a service that is personal, transparent, and expertly delivered