Senior Mechanical Project Manager in Portsmouth

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior Mechanical Project Manager, Mechanical Contracts 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 sectors.

The business is well established, steadily growing, and 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 and consistent project pipeline, and a modern approach to work-life balance, with staff typically finishing at 1.00pm on Fridays, subject to client or project requirements.

The Role

As Senior Mechanical Project 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 responsibility for the mechanical project lifecycle from design and pre-construction through 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 consistent quality and customer satisfaction
• 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 all mechanical works comply with health and safety legislation, audits, and procedures
  • Monitoring site safety performance and supporting continuous improvement
• Client & Stakeholder Management
  • Acting as the key point of contact for mechanical project delivery
  • Attending progress meetings, design coordination workshops, and project reviews
  • Ensuring clear communication and high levels of customer satisfaction throughout delivery

About You

To be successful in this role, you should have:

• Strong experience as a Senior Mechanical Project Manager, Mechanical Contracts Manager, or a capable Mechanical Project Manager ready to step up
• A proven track record delivering mechanical building services projects typically ranging from £100k to £2.5m
• Excellent technical understanding of mechanical services including heating, ventilation, cooling, domestic services, plant, pipework, and associated systems
• Experience delivering both design and build and pre-designed mechanical projects
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
• Good commercial awareness, particularly around variations, procurement, and cost control
• The ability to manage multiple mechanical projects concurrently
• A full UK driving licence

This role will suit someone who takes ownership, leads from the front, and is confident managing mechanical projects to a consistently high standard.

Remuneration Package

• £70,000 - £80,000 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 plus bank holidays
• Additional 2 days holiday after one year (birthday month and anniversary month)
• Two-week Christmas shutdown (5 days taken from allowance)
• Pension scheme (5% employer contribution)
• Life assurance (6x basic salary)
• Full training and development support
• Employee shareholding (2% share allocation for all staff)

Next Steps

If you feel this opportunity aligns with your experience and career ambitions, 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.