Okay, I've searched for Project Manager roles in Lockport, IL, in low voltage contracting, requiring 3+ years experience and skills in estimating and project management, with full-time schedules. I have found 72 positions for you.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The Project Manager/Estimator role at Low Voltage Solutions (LVS) centers on bridging precise project estimation with effective end-to-end management of low voltage construction projects, focusing on structured cabling, fire alarm, security, and audiovisual systems. Fundamentally, this person is hired to ensure projects are competitively won through accurate bids while maintaining profitability and are executed flawlessly to meet client expectations. The dual nature of the job—estimating bids and managing ongoing projects—means the candidate must be both detail-oriented and strategically savvy. They will navigate complex scopes, coordinate among clients, subcontractors, and internal teams, and juggle budgets and timelines, requiring a blend of technical proficiency, financial acumen, and communication finesse. Success here looks like delivering projects on time, within or under budget, securing repeat business, and enhancing company reputation. The role demands autonomous decision-making in ambiguity, refined negotiation skills, and an ability to build trusted partnerships, critical for growing LVS’s presence in competitive markets. Proficiency with specialized project management and estimating software reflects a modern, efficient work approach, while 3+ years’ industry experience anchors the candidate’s capability to function confidently in this high-stakes environment.

Company Analysis:

Low Voltage Solutions is a seasoned, family-founded player entrenched in the Chicagoland low voltage market since 1997, combining deep technical expertise with a customer-centered philosophy. As a mid-sized contractor with a fast-growing footprint, LVS reflects a culture rooted in community, trust, and long-term relationships both internally among employees and externally with clients and partners. The firm balances the stability of a legacy business with a forward-looking appetite—evident in their investment in a new open-concept facility and emphasis on innovation and teamwork. For a candidate, this means stepping into a role that carries a high degree of responsibility within an environment that values personal initiative and collaboration equally. The culture is family-like, offering autonomy but also the support of a close-knit team, ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic, growth-oriented setting. Strategically, this role supports LVS’s ambitions to continue scaling by blending technical precision with strong client relationship management. Thus, the company is seeking not just a project executor but a strategic partner who can help elevate service quality and operational efficiency while helping the business expand its footprint.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to prepare a bid for a complex low voltage project under a tight deadline. How did you ensure accuracy and competitiveness?
• Behavioral: Describe an experience where you managed conflicting priorities between project cost control and client expectations. How did you handle it?
• Behavioral: Can you share a situation where you successfully built a long-term relationship with a difficult client or subcontractor? What strategies did you use?
• Behavioral: Give an example of when you encountered unexpected challenges during a project. How did you adapt your project management approach?
• Technical: What steps do you follow when estimating costs for fire alarm or security system installations to ensure profitability?
• Technical: How do you utilize project management and estimating software to enhance workflow and accuracy in your current role?
• Technical: Walk me through your process for reviewing scopes of work and negotiating contracts with general contractors and subcontractors.
• Technical: How do you track and control project expenses throughout construction to meet profit objectives?
• Situational: Imagine a key subcontractor misses a delivery deadline on a critical system component, jeopardizing the project schedule. How would you respond?
• Situational: You receive feedback from a client that the project is not meeting their expectations on-site, but your budget doesn't allow major adjustments. What steps do you take?
• Situational: If a project bid you prepared was rejected due to being above a competitor's price, how would you analyze and revise your approach for future bids?
• Company Fit/Motivation: Why are you interested in joining Low Voltage Solutions specifically, considering our company history and core values?
• Company Fit/Motivation: How do you see your past experience aligning with LVS’s mission to be an extension of the customer’s team?
• Company Fit/Motivation: What motivates you most about working in the low voltage contracting industry, particularly in a company with a family-owned culture?
• Candidate Questions: Can you describe the typical career progression for a Project Manager/Estimator at LVS?
• Candidate Questions: How does LVS support continuous learning and innovation within project management and estimating teams?
• Candidate Questions: What are the biggest challenges LVS anticipates in upcoming projects, and how can this role contribute to overcoming them?