Director of MEP

Job Title: Director of MEP

Location: New York, NY

Salary: $200,000 to $220,000 plus benefits

Fortiva are delighted to be partnering with a leading global owners rep firm, specifically with their New York team to support the recruitment of a Director calibre professional to drive forwards their MEP portfolio.

This role will support a diverse portfolio of large-scale developments across sectors including:

• Entertainment & Studio developments
• Core & Shell commercial projects
• Hospitality (luxury & lifestyle)
• Law & Financial Services firms
• Life Sciences (labs & R&D)

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end MEP delivery across multiple concurrent projects in NYC.
• Act as the Owner’s primary technical representative for all MEP-related matters.
• Establish project MEP strategy, budgets, and key design criteria from early concept stage.
• Drive design coordination and conduct detailed reviews of drawings, specifications, and calculations.
• Challenge and guide consultants on system selection, constructability, and value engineering.
• Oversee procurement processes including bid packaging, contractor selection, and technical evaluations.
• Monitor and manage MEP cost, schedule, and risk throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead coordination between architects, engineers, contractors, and client stakeholders.
• Review RFIs, submittals, and change orders to ensure alignment with design intent and project objectives.
• Conduct site inspections and track installation quality, progress, and compliance.
• Support commissioning, testing, and turnover to ensure operational readiness and performance.

Key Requirements:

• 12 years + in MEP engineering, construction, or project management, with a clear progression into leadership roles.
• Proven delivery experience across one or more of the following—commercial core & shell, hospitality, life sciences, corporate interiors, or media/entertainment projects.
• Experience working in an Owner’s Rep, consultancy, or senior contractor capacity, with a strong understanding of representing client interests.
• Deep knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems, including design coordination, constructability, and system performance.
• Strong familiarity with New York City codes, permitting processes, and local authorities (DOB and related agencies).
• Demonstrated experience delivering large, complex projects (typically $50M+) with full lifecycle involvement.
• Ability to manage budgets, evaluate cost plans, and lead value engineering without compromising quality or performance.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Confident leading multidisciplinary teams and engaging directly with senior clients, consultants, and contractors.

For further discussions please submit your resume and drop me a note on jon@fortiva.us.