MEP COE Director, Retail Construction

Company: JLL
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 3, 2026

Job Description:

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way . Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. What this job involves: Leading the development and operation of a national MEP Center of Excellence for a premier financial services client's retail construction program. This role combines deep technical expertise with strategic program management, serving as the single point of contact for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems across hundreds of retail banking locations annually. You'll establish standardized quality control processes that span all regions, enhance design consistency across external engineering partners and general contractors, and provide expert technical guidance on priority MEP challenges throughout the project lifecycle—from entitlements through turnover. At JLL, we are collectively shaping a brighter way for our clients, ourselves and our fellow employees, and this position exemplifies that commitment by driving measurable improvements in construction quality, energy efficiency, and operational performance. Beyond quality assurance, you'll serve as the technical program manager for critical building infrastructure initiatives including rooftop solar PV systems, variable refrigerant flow HVAC, building commissioning protocols, advanced lighting controls, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on how sustainable, high-performance retail banking environments are designed and delivered across the country, working at the intersection of engineering excellence, operational efficiency, and environmental stewardship. What your day-to-day will look like: Develop and continuously refine MEP design standards, best practices, and quality control processes for retail banking projects including freestanding branches, tenant improvement locations, co-located office spaces, and airport lounges Conduct formal peer reviews of MEP designs at critical project milestones (50% construction documents and 90% construction documents) for approximately 30 projects annually, evaluating both technical design quality and operational efficiency considerations Provide regular training sessions to Architects of Record, Engineers of Record, and internal design managers on current MEP best practices and evolving client standards Serve as the primary technical liaison between retail construction teams, sustainability initiatives, and facilities management groups for specialized systems including VRF HVAC, rooftop solar, commissioning protocols, and building controls Analyze facilities work orders and commissioning issue logs bi-annually to identify trends, determine root causes, and implement design or process improvements that prevent recurring problems Attend HVAC system startups and commissioning functional tests in the New York tri-state area to ensure proper installation and provide hands-on technical support Manage prototype design updates across multiple project types by coordinating with external engineers and architects to enhance standardized drawings, details, and riser diagrams Meet quarterly with retail facilities management teams to understand operational concerns from recently completed projects and develop solutions that improve future deliveries Support the client's decarbonization initiatives by providing technical subject matter expertise on refrigerants, HVAC system selection, renewable energy integration, and water conservation measures Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline 10-15 years of progressive experience in MEP design, construction management, or building systems engineering with focus on commercial or retail environments Deep technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems including HVAC design, electrical service sizing, lighting controls, and building automation systems Proven experience conducting design reviews, quality assurance assessments, and technical peer reviews on construction projects Strong understanding of energy efficiency principles, commissioning processes, and operational considerations that impact long-term building performance Demonstrated ability to develop and implement technical standards, best practices, and quality control processes across multiple projects or regions Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to train diverse audiences and prepare clear technical documentation Willingness to travel 5-10 times annually for site visits, client meetings, and internal conferences (typically 1-3 days per trip) Proficiency with construction documentation review and ability to provide detailed markup comments on engineering drawings Preferred qualifications: Professional Engineer (PE) license in Mechanical Engineering Experience with variable refrigerant flow (VRF) HVAC systems and dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) Knowledge of renewable energy systems, particularly rooftop solar photovoltaic design and integration Familiarity with building commissioning standards (ASHRAE Guideline 0 or 1.1, LEED, or similar protocols) Background in sustainable building design, LEED projects, or corporate decarbonization initiatives Prior experience working with national retail chains, financial institutions, or other clients with standardized prototype designs Understanding of facilities management operations and the transition from construction to building operations Experience managing relationships with multiple external consultants, contractors, and vendor partners across different geographic regions This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Estimated compensation for this position: 130,000.00 – 150,000.00 USD per year This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations. Location: On-site –Chicago, IL, New York, NY If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table! Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth: JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include: 401(k) plan with matching company contributions Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care Paid parental leave at 100% of salary Paid Time Off and Company Holidays Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing. JLL Privacy Notice Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely. For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement . For additional details please see our career site pages for each country. For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here . Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at HRSCLeaves@jll.com . This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL. Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment. Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest. Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate. California Residents only If you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view our Supplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information. If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device. Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.

Keywords: JLL, Buffalo Grove , MEP COE Director, Retail Construction, Engineering , Chicago, Illinois