VP, Business Strategy for Chicagoland HVAC and Plumbing Firm sought. The right candidate will be elevated to President / CEO within the next 2 years. Candidates must have an MBA and a strong mechanical services industry background - 10 years or more of experience REQUIRED
Our client is a national network of MEP Service Providers. One of their largest local operating companies has been serving the Greater Chicago market for nearly a century. They have grown into a full-service HVAC and plumbing provider specializing in a complete range of products and services, including the design and installation of new equipment, retrofits of existing systems, comprehensive maintenance programs and emergency service. Their mission is to provide customers with outstanding quality, reliability and performance.
The Vice President of Business Strategy is a senior leadership role designed to partner directly with the President in leading and evolving a scaled, multi-disciplinary HVAC services business. This individual will play a central role in driving strategic initiatives, strengthening operational execution, and building organizational capability across the company.
This role is intentionally structured as a broad, enterprise-level leadership position with exposure to all facets of the business, including operations, finance, sales, and talent development. The VP will work closely with the President on day-to-day execution while taking ownership of key initiatives that drive performance, scalability, and long-term value creation.
The position is designed for a high-potential leader who can develop deep operational understanding and leadership credibility across the organization, with a path to increasing responsibility over time. As the business continues to scale, this individual is expected to take on expanded leadership scope, ultimately positioning themselves as a natural successor to lead the company.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on operator with strong business acumen, the ability to lead through influence, and the ambition to grow into full P&L ownership. This is an in-person leadership role requiring strong analytical capability, operational instincts, and credibility with both field and corporate teams. The role is designed to develop the individual to grow into advancement opportunities.
SCOPE & SPAN
- $100M revenue HVAC services business (service, projects, and controls)
- Direct exposure to full leadership team (Operations, Service, Sales, Finance, HR)
- Ability to create project teams as needed from the key talent within each function.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Business Leadership
- Partner with the President to define and execute the company’s strategic priorities
- Lead high-impact initiatives across growth, operational improvement, and organizational development
- Evaluate business performance and identify opportunities to improve revenue quality, margins, and cash flow
- Support long-term planning, including market expansion, service line development, and capital allocation
Operational & Financial Execution
- Drive operating discipline across project execution, service delivery, and cost management
- Partner with functional leaders to improve forecasting, KPIs, and performance management cadence
- Identify and implement process improvements that enhance scalability and consistency
- Ensure alignment between growth initiatives and operational capacity
Organizational Leadership
- Model behavior to support Astra’s commitment to talent development.
- Support talent development, succession planning, and leadership coaching
- Lead cross-functional initiatives that require coordination across multiple departments
Market & Commercial Engagement
- Partner with sales leadership to improve pipeline quality, pricing discipline, and customer selection
- Participate in key customer and partner relationships
- Develop a strong understanding of the competitive landscape and market dynamics
EXPECTED CANDIDATE PROFILE
Professional Experience
- 8–15 years of progressive leadership experience in mechanical services, industrial services, or a related field including multiple years of HVAC products and services.
- Experience in roles spanning strategy, operations, finance, or general management
- Exposure to P&L ownership or direct support of business unit performance
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive measurable business outcomes
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Business, Finance, or related field)
- MBA or advanced degree is a plus but not required
Leadership Characteristics
- High potential leader with ambition to grow into a full business leadership role
- Strong analytical and financial acumen paired with practical operational instincts
- Hands-on, proactive, and comfortable operating in a dynamic environment
- Credible and effective communicator across all levels of the organization
- Collaborative leader who can influence without authority
- Resilient, adaptable, and solutions-oriented
- Aspires to a higher leadership role within Astra
COMPENSATION & TERMS
They offer a highly competitive base salary and an ambitious bonus program with a attractive benefits plan. In addition, there are long term equity opportunities. Relocation assistance is available.
