Project Manager (Chiller Plant / District Cooling)

About the Role

This role is responsible for leading and delivering chiller plant / district cooling system projects from planning through commissioning, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with technical specifications, safety standards, and contractual requirements while maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Plan, manage, and execute chiller plant / district cooling system projects from award to handover.
• Develop project schedules, work plans, budgets, and resource allocations; monitor progress and control cost, quality, and timelines.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, main contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal teams; manage project risks, variations, claims, and change orders.
• Review designs, drawings, specifications, shop drawings, and material submittals to ensure technical compliance and approvals.
• Provide technical guidance to site teams on installation and commissioning; oversee on-site installation works and enforce adherence to drawings, method statements, and safety requirements.
• Conduct site inspections, progress and coordination meetings; resolve site issues, clashes, and technical challenges promptly.
• Plan and manage testing, commissioning, and balancing of chiller plant / district cooling systems; prepare as-built drawings, O&M manuals, and test reports; support defects liability period and warranty issues.
• Serve as point of contact for project-related inquiries and facilitate communication between engineering, procurement, construction teams, and external partners.

Skills / Required Skills

• Hands-on experience with chillers (centrifugal, screw, magnetic bearing), cooling towers, condenser water systems, and primary/secondary/variable flow pumping systems.
• Experience with Thermal Energy Storage systems is advantageous.
• Knowledge of chiller plant design, installation, testing, commissioning, plant efficiency optimization (kW/RT), and energy management.
• Familiarity with Chiller Plant Management & Control Systems, BMS and SCADA integration, hydraulic analysis, pump selection, and system balancing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant project management experience in chiller plant / district cooling systems, with proven track record managing large-scale projects such as centralized chilled water plants, district cooling systems, and large chiller plants for commercial, industrial, infrastructure, or campus developments.
• Professional certifications such as PMP or Certified Energy Manager will be an added advantage.
• Strong project management capability with experience in cost control, scheduling, and risk management; ability to manage consultants, contractors, subcontractors, and equipment vendors.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and stakeholder management skills; result-oriented, flexible, systematic thinker, eager to learn and adapt.
• Willingness to travel or work in upcountry locations as required.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with workplace safety, health, and environmental regulations; enforce safety standards and best practices on all project sites.
• Ensure compliance with local codes, standards, and authority requirements (e.g. ASHRAE).