Project Sales Manager

Opportunity Profile

Location: Central New Jersey

Position Title: Project Sales Manager

The Opportunity:

This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished HVAC project sales professional to step into a highly visible leadership role with a respected mechanical contractor that has built its reputation over more than five decades. The company is seeking a Project Sales Manager to lead and grow its project sales organization while helping the business navigate an important leadership transition following the retirement of a long-tenured engineering and project sales leader.

This position offers the chance to become a key contributor to the future growth of the organization. The successful candidate will inherit an established sales team and will be responsible for elevating the effectiveness of a group of four Project Sales professionals while maintaining an active presence in the marketplace. This is not a management role removed from the business; it is a player-coach opportunity for someone who enjoys building relationships, identifying opportunities, developing technical solutions, and winning projects.

The role is ideal for an individual who thrives in consultative, design-build sales environments and enjoys working directly with owners, facility managers, engineers, and end users. The Project Sales Manager will help drive growth across commercial and industrial HVAC projects, energy-efficiency initiatives, and utility incentive programs. A significant portion of the business is tied to energy rebates and incentive-based projects, creating substantial opportunity for a strategic sales leader who understands how to leverage those programs to deliver value for customers.

Perhaps most importantly, this role provides the opportunity to make a measurable impact. The successful candidate will help shape sales strategy, mentor developing sales professionals, strengthen customer relationships, and drive revenue growth throughout New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, and surrounding markets. For someone looking to leave a lasting mark on an organization while remaining deeply engaged in sales and client relationships, this represents a career-defining opportunity.

The Company:

Our client is a well-established mechanical contracting organization serving commercial and industrial customers throughout the region. The company operates as a mid-sized business with expertise spanning mechanical construction, design-build HVAC solutions, controls, energy services, and ongoing service support.

The organization has built a strong reputation in critical system environments where reliability, performance, and technical expertise are essential. Its customer base includes life sciences facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturers, hospitals, educational institutions, data centers, and other mission-critical environments where HVAC systems directly impact operations and business performance.

The company differentiates itself through its ability to deliver technically sophisticated design-build solutions while maintaining the responsiveness and agility of a mid-sized contractor. With a strong foundation, experienced workforce, and growing market presence, the organization is well positioned for continued expansion.

The business is also part of a broader private equity-backed platform, providing additional resources, investment support, and long-term growth opportunities. Leadership is actively focused on expanding both the project sales and controls side of the business, making this an exciting time to join the organization.

The Boss:

The Project Sales Manager will report directly to the company President. He brings more than three decades of HVAC and mechanical industry experience and recently stepped into the top leadership role with a clear vision for growth. His leadership style is focused on building strong teams, empowering talented individuals, and creating opportunities for people to make a tangible impact on the business.

He values professionals who can take ownership, contribute strategically, and execute at a high level. He is not seeking someone to simply maintain the status quo. He is looking for a business-minded sales leader who can help drive growth, strengthen customer relationships, and serve as a trusted resource throughout the organization.

Candidates who appreciate direct access to executive leadership, visibility within the organization, and the opportunity to influence decision-making will find this environment particularly attractive.

The Position:

The Project Sales Manager will provide leadership and direction to the Project Sales team while maintaining responsibility for personal business development activities and customer relationships.

This individual will serve as both a sales leader and subject matter expert, helping clients identify solutions, supporting technical sales efforts, developing project opportunities, and guiding sales strategy across the organization.

The position requires a strong understanding of design-build HVAC sales, mechanical systems, energy-efficiency solutions, and consultative selling within commercial and industrial markets.

Essential Functions (Other duties may be assigned):

• Lead and mentor a team of four Project Sales professionals.
• Drive growth of the project sales and design-build business.
• Develop and maintain relationships with owners, engineers, facility managers, contractors, and end users.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue project opportunities throughout the territory.
• Develop and present HVAC solutions tailored to customer needs.
• Support and expand sales initiatives tied to utility incentive and energy-efficiency programs.
• Guide proposal development, pricing strategy, and sales execution.
• Provide leadership and coaching to project sales personnel.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, project management, estimating, and service teams.
• Maintain a personal sales pipeline and actively contribute to revenue generation.
• Serve as a trusted technical resource for both customers and internal stakeholders.
• Help strengthen the company's presence throughout New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, and surrounding markets.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of commercial HVAC industry experience.
• Extensive experience with design-build HVAC project sales.
• Demonstrated success within a mechanical contracting environment.
• Strong customer-facing and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to identify opportunities, develop solutions, and close projects.
• Technical understanding of HVAC systems and mechanical applications.
• Proven ability to influence customers and internal stakeholders.
• Strong communication, presentation, and business development skills.
• Experience working directly with owners, engineers, facility managers, and end users.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and develop sales professionals.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the assigned territory.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Construction Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• Equivalent industry experience will be considered.
• Engineering, technical sales, or applied mechanical industry background is highly desirable.
• Prior leadership, mentoring, or team management experience preferred.
• Experience with utility incentive, rebate, or energy-efficiency programs is beneficial.
• Existing relationships within the New Jersey and New York metropolitan markets are highly valued.

Competencies:

• Strategic sales leadership
• Business development and market growth
• Consultative selling
• Technical HVAC knowledge
• Relationship management
• Leadership and team development
• Problem solving and solution selling
• Presentation and communication skills
• Customer focus
• Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork
• Results orientation
• Executive presence

Work Environment:

This position combines office, customer-facing, and field-based responsibilities. The Project Sales Manager will spend significant time meeting with customers, identifying opportunities, attending project-related meetings, and supporting business development initiatives throughout the market.

While the preferred location is Central New Jersey, hybrid flexibility may be considered for highly qualified candidates. Regular travel throughout New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, and surrounding markets should be expected.

The environment is collaborative, fast-paced, and built around delivering exceptional customer outcomes in critical commercial and industrial facilities.

Compensation:

The company offers a highly competitive compensation package designed to reward leadership, sales success, and business growth. In addition to a strong base compensation structure, the role includes performance-based incentives and substantial earning potential tied directly to individual and team success. A comprehensive benefits package, retirement program, paid time off, professional development opportunities, and business-related transportation support are also provided.