Vice President - Mechanical Piping Division (New Construction & Retrofits) - Chicago, IL

Vice President - Mechanical Piping Division (New Construction & Retrofits) - Chicago, IL

Location: Chicago, IL (office based 5 days a week)

Gryphon Oakwood is seeking a Vice President / Division Manager to lead a $60M process piping division for a Chicago-based mechanical contractor.

The division delivers approximately 60% new construction and 40% retrofit projects across data centers, laboratories, hospitals and educational facilities. The successful candidate will provide operational leadership, maintain high standards of project delivery and drive the continued growth of the division.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall operational leadership for a $60M process piping division.
• Oversee project delivery, ensuring projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget and to the required quality standards.
• Drive divisional growth through existing client relationships and new business opportunities.
• Lead, develop and mentor project managers, superintendents and operational personnel.
• Maintain accountability for divisional financial performance, including revenue, profitability, forecasting and cost control.
• Establish consistent operational processes and performance standards.
• Work alongside estimating and preconstruction teams to support project pursuits and secure new work.
• Build strong relationships with clients, general contractors and key industry stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and project performance.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience within a mechanical contractor, ideally overseeing a process piping or industrial piping division.
• Experience managing a sizeable business unit with responsibility for operational and financial performance.
• Strong technical understanding of process piping and mechanical construction.
• Experience delivering both new construction and retrofit projects.
• Background across sectors such as data centers, laboratories, healthcare and higher education.
• Track record of developing teams and leading project management personnel.
• Strong commercial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and project profitability.
• Established client relationships and the ability to develop new business opportunities.
• Strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work from the Chicago office and provide hands-on leadership to the division.

Compensation

• Base Salary: $160,000–$190,000.
• Bonus: Performance-based, linked to divisional revenue and profitability.
• Target Total Compensation: Approximately $250,000–$260,000, with further earning potential based on performance.