Controls Service Manager

Position Profile
Location: St. Louis, MO
Position Title: Service Manager

The Opportunity:
This is a rare opportunity to build something meaningful from the ground up. The Service Manager will be responsible for establishing and leading a dedicated Building Automation Service Department. This role is designed for a technically strong, highly motivated controls professional who wants to shape a new service operation while remaining hands-on with customers and systems. In the early stages, the Service Manager will personally handle service calls, troubleshooting, estimating, and customer interactions, while laying the foundation for a scalable, profitable service business. As service revenue grows, this individual will directly influence hiring decisions, operational structure, and long-term strategy, creating a clear path from individual contributor to department leader with a lasting impact on recurring revenue and customer satisfaction.

The Company:
The organization designs, builds, programs, and commissions advanced building automation systems for new and existing construction across multiple markets. Known for its technical depth and modern automation platforms, the company operates with the agility of a growth-oriented team while benefiting from the stability, resources, and long-term mindset of a larger employee-owned enterprise. The culture emphasizes accountability, internal promotion, professional development, and shared ownership, creating an environment where motivated individuals can grow their careers while contributing directly to the company’s success.

The Boss:
The Service Manager will report to senior operations leadership that is hands-on, technically knowledgeable, and actively engaged in building teams and supporting growth initiatives. Leadership values autonomy, initiative, and results, while providing access to experienced technical and operational resources as the service function develops.

The Position:
The Service Manager is responsible for creating and leading the Building Automation Service Department within the local market. Initially operating as a one-person department, this role blends service technician, estimator, customer advocate, and business developer responsibilities. The Service Manager will be the primary point of contact for service customers, managing reactive service calls, system support, upgrades, renewals, and long-term relationships. As the service business gains traction, this role will evolve to include recruiting and developing dedicated service technicians and defining the processes needed to support sustainable growth.

Essential Functions (Other duties may be assigned):

• Perform hands-on service, troubleshooting, and repair of building automation and HVAC control systems.
• Act as the primary customer-facing representative for all service-related activities.
• Prepare service estimates, proposals, and recommendations for upgrades, renewals, and additional work.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to grow service revenue through maintenance agreements and repeat business.
• Coordinate with internal operations, programming, and construction teams to support service needs.
• Establish foundational processes, standards, and workflows for the service department.
• Participate in recruiting and developing service technicians as revenue and workload increase.
• Represent the company professionally and credibly to service customers.

Qualifications:

• Strong technical background in building automation systems and HVAC controls.
• Ability to multitask across technical service, customer interaction, and estimating responsibilities.
• Proven customer-facing skills and professional communication style.
• Self-starter mentality with the motivation to build and grow a new service function.
• Comfort operating independently while leveraging internal resources as needed.

Education and Experience:

• Approximately seven to ten years of progressive experience in building automation, controls service, or related technical roles.
• Prior hands-on field experience as a controls technician is strongly preferred.
• Experience with service estimating, customer support, and system troubleshooting.
• Experience with modern building automation platforms is preferred.

Competencies:

• Technical problem-solving and diagnostic capability
• Customer relationship management
• Business development and growth mindset
• Organization and prioritization in a startup-style environment
• Clear communication and professional presence
• Adaptability and resilience

Work Environment:
This role includes a mix of office-based work, customer meetings, and field service activities at client sites. The environment is fast-paced and entrepreneurial, particularly during the early stages of building the service department. Collaboration with internal teams across operations, programming, and management is a regular part of the role.

Compensation:
The company offers a competitive compensation and benefits package aligned with experience and responsibility, including participation in an employee ownership structure and opportunities for long-term career growth.