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Vice President of Projects

Academy Fire & Life Safety Company

Job Title

Vice President of Projects

Reports To

Executive Vice President: Ben Cramer

Position Summary

The Vice President of Projects is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, execution, and financial performance of all project operations, Sales and Estimating, for Academy Fire. This executive role oversees project management, estimating, installation, inspections, system upgrades, and large-scale fire protection projects, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in compliance with all applicable fire codes, regulations, and customer requirements.

The VP of Projects drives operational excellence, customer satisfaction, profitability, and team development while collaborating with sales, service, engineering, and executive leadership to achieve company objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement project strategies that support company growth and profitability goals.
• Establish operational objectives, policies, procedures, and performance metrics.
• Identify opportunities to improve project delivery, efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Participate in executive leadership meetings and contribute to company-wide strategic planning.

Project Operations Management

• Oversee all fire alarm, fire sprinkler, suppression, emergency communication, security, and life safety installation projects.
• Ensure successful project planning, scheduling, execution, and closeout.
• Monitor project performance, budgets, labor utilization, and resource allocation.
• Resolve high-level project issues, risks, and customer concerns.
• Ensure compliance with all contractual requirements and industry standards.

Financial Management

• Manage project department P&L responsibilities.
• Review project estimates, budgets, forecasts, and financial reports.
• Monitor project margins and identify opportunities for cost control and increased profitability.
• Approve major expenditures, change orders, and subcontractor agreements.
• Collaborate with finance teams to track revenue recognition and project billing.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor Project Managers, Project Coordinators, Superintendents, and related staff.
• Develop and retain high-performing project teams.
• Establish performance goals and conduct regular performance evaluations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote and enforce workplace safety programs and company safety culture.
• Support safety audits, inspections, and corrective action initiatives.
• Maintain compliance with licensing, certification, and regulatory requirements.

Client & Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, contractors, architects, consultants, AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction), and strategic partners.
• Participate in executive-level customer meetings and project reviews.
• Support business development efforts and key account growth initiatives.
• Assist in resolving escalated customer concerns and contract disputes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales, Engineering, Service, Procurement, and Operations departments.
• Support project handoff processes from sales to execution.
• Ensure proper communication and coordination across departments.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and organizational development.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, or related field preferred.
• Advanced degrees or professional certifications are desirable.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressively responsible project management experience.
• 5+ years of executive or senior leadership experience within fire protection, life safety, construction, MEP, or related industry.
• Proven track record managing large-scale fire protection and life safety projects.
• Strong experience overseeing multiple project teams and regional operations.

Preferred Certifications

• PMP (Project Management Professional)
• NICET Certification
• OSHA 30-Hour Certification
• Fire Protection or Construction-related certifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of fire alarm, fire sprinkler, suppression, and life safety systems.
• Strong understanding of NFPA standards, OSHA regulations, and applicable building codes.
• Advanced project management and organizational skills.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team development abilities.
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Project Revenue Growth
• Gross Margin Performance
• Project Completion Timeliness
• Customer Satisfaction Scores
• Change Order Recovery Rate
• Safety Performance Metrics
• Labor Productivity
• Backlog Management
• Employee Retention and Development
• Budget Compliance

Working Conditions

• Regular travel to branch offices, customer sites, and project locations.
• Combination of office, field, and executive leadership responsibilities.
• Availability for occasional after-hours support for critical projects and customer needs.

Compensation

Competitive executive compensation package including:

• Base Salary
• Annual Performance Bonus
• Long-Term Incentive Opportunities
• Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off and Executive Benefits

This position serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for driving project excellence, operational performance, customer satisfaction, and profitable growth throughout the organization.