Project Manager

Position: Project Manager Fire Sprinkler Company: Columbia Fire, LLC Location: Seattle, WA in-person, with regular jobsite travel across Western Washington Reports To: Contract Division Manager Employment Type: Full-time, salaried, exempt Bargaining Unit Status: Non-union Incentive Eligibility: Annual bonus tied to goals and MBOs see Compensation Travel: Daily local travel to jobsites and customer offices across Western Washington About Columbia Fire Columbia Fire has been protecting lives and property in the Seattle market since 2005. We design, install, inspect, and service fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, suppression systems, and portable fire extinguishers across Western Washington. Columbia Fire is a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Safety Services, LLC, which also operates Valley Fire Control, LLC in Oregon and Eastern Washington and FFF Protection in Idaho. We are building a formidable fire protection platform rooted in trust, execution, and long-term relationships. Our core values guide how we operate: Customer First, Grit, Effective Communication, Own the Outcome, Take Pride in the Work, and Do the Right Thing. Why This Role Exists Sprinkler projects do not fail in the field nearly as often as they fail in the gaps a submittal that sat too long, a permit nobody chased, material that arrived after the crew did, a change in scope that never became a change order. Every one of those is a margin problem and a customer problem at the same time. This seat exists to close those gaps. You own a project from award through closeout: the schedule, the budget, the paperwork, the customer, and the handoffs. The crews build the work. You make certain they can. The Opportunity You will manage fire sprinkler projects across new construction, tenant improvement, and retrofit work in the Seattle market running them on time, on budget, and in compliance with applicable codes. This is a customer-facing, jobsite-facing role. You will be the primary point of contact for your projects, the person general contractors call, and the person who walks the building when something is wrong. You will work closely with design, purchasing, superintendents, foremen, and sales. The strongest candidates for this seat tend to come out of sprinkler design or the field. If you have laid systems out or installed them, you already understand what a buildable schedule looks like and where a job goes sideways. Project Planning & Execution Lead projects from kickoff through closeout, managing timelines, resources, and deliverablesDevelop and track project schedules, budgets, and manpower needsConduct internal kickoff with design, sales, and the design managerCoordinate with design, purchasing, and field operations to keep work sequenced correctlyReview and approve project setup in our ERP, including budgeted cost and revenueDetermine flush and hydrostatic test responsibilities before the crew needs the answer Customer & Stakeholder Management Serve as the primary point of contact for your assigned projectsSet expectations early through proactive communication with customers, general contractors, and authorities having jurisdictionLead handoff meetings and deliver regular status updates to all stakeholdersAddress problems directly when they arise including the uncomfortable conversationsProtect the relationship and the companys position at the same time Submittals, Permitting & Compliance Lead submittal and approval processes with customers and AHJsManage permitting from application through final inspectionVerify work complies with NFPA standards, local fire codes, and OSHA safety requirementsConduct site audits and confirm safety protocols are being followedOversee quality inspections, O&M training, and warranty documentation Budget & Cost Control Monitor project financials, identify variances, and forecast cost-to-completeApprove material purchases within budget and release purchase orders to purchasingPrepare, price, and negotiate change orders as scope evolvesSupport billing and collections, and maintain accurate schedules of valuesPerform job walks, create punch lists, and drive completion of closeout documentationLead closeout and after-action reviews so the next job goes better than the last one Field Partnership Hand off a complete scope, schedule, and budget to the superintendent and foremanWalk your jobsites regularly not once at the start and once at the endSupport the field team with the information, material, and answers they need to keep movingRespect that the crews own daily execution; your job is to remove obstacles, not manage tools