MEP Project Director

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $7.6 billion in revenue for 2024, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.

The Role We Want You For

The MEP Project Director at Clayco serves as the senior leader responsible for the strategic oversight, quality control, and successful delivery of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and low-voltage systems across Clayco projects. This role provides executive-level leadership during design, bidding, procurement, and construction, ensuring that all MEP systems are integrated seamlessly into the overall project strategy while maintaining Clayco’s standards for safety, quality, budget, and schedule.

The MEP Project Director collaborates closely with internal project teams, design partners, client stakeholders, and subcontractors. This role establishes project-wide MEP strategies, leads early-stage scope development, oversees subcontractor negotiations, and ensures Clayco’s commissioning and turnover processes are executed to the highest standard. The Director serves as the authority between original design intent and field execution, resolving high-level issues, guiding scope evaluations, and ensuring system performance meets contract and operational requirements.

The Specifics of the Role

Strategic Leadership & Oversight

• Lead the overall MEP project strategy from early conceptual phases through final turnover.
• Drive early MEP scope definition, bid package development, and subcontractor selection.
• Provide senior-level guidance to Clayco’s project teams, ensuring MEP alignment with project goals and client expectations.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex MEP issues and cross-discipline coordination challenges.

Design Coordination & Technical Authority

• Direct the evaluation of MEP design documents and provide recommendations to optimize system performance, cost, constructability, and schedule.
• Validate critical design assumptions and propose alternative technical solutions as appropriate.
• Lead collaboration with engineering consultants, client representatives, and design-build teams.

Construction Oversight & Field Leadership

• Provide senior oversight of on-site MEP activities, ensuring installation meets design intent, specifications, and Clayco standards.
• Oversee field quality control processes and ensure proper documentation of MEP changes, as-builts, and testing.
• Guide problem-solving between subcontractors and facilitate resolution of complex field conditions.
• Ensure all MEP subcontractors meet performance expectations, contractual requirements, and safety standards.

Commissioning & Systems Performance

• Lead and continuously improve Clayco’s commissioning strategy, processes, and tools.
• Oversee functional testing, integration, and troubleshooting of all MEP systems.
• Ensure system performance meets operational requirements and supports successful building turnover.

Cost Management & Scope Control

• Direct MEP change management processes, including scope review, pricing validation, and negotiation strategies.
• Maintain responsibility for the financial performance of MEP packages within overall project budgets.
• Ensure accurate documentation and tracking of MEP scope modifications.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a senior liaison to clients regarding MEP scope, risks, opportunities, and system performance.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, consultants, inspectors, and internal leadership.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in MEP systems, including field leadership, commissioning, or project management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (required).
• Commissioning experience and/or certifications such as ASHRAE, BCA, or University of Wisconsin Extension.
• Extensive knowledge across MEP disciplines, including plumbing, fire protection, HVAC, electrical systems, NEC, and overall building integration.
• Strong technical expertise in building controls, BACnet, Tridium, and full systems integration testing.
• Deep understanding of TAB processes, fire alarm and life safety systems, and relevant building codes (Building, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, NFPA, etc.).
• Ability to interpret architectural, structural, and civil drawings for system coordination.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office, iPad-based tools, and MEP industry applications.
• Proficiency with field testing equipment including infrared cameras, light meters, IAQ monitors, etc.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and strong communication skills with both technical and executive audiences.

Some Things You Should Know

• Our clients and projects are nationwide – Travel will be required.
• No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
• The pace is fast!

Why Clayco?

• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.

• 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).

• 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders – Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
  

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.