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Metro General Manager MGM-Fire

Johnson Controls · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Jul 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you turned around a business unit that was underperforming.

What they are checking: A track record of diagnosing problems and fixing them, not just inheriting a good business.

How do you build a culture where safety and quality hold up even when the team is pushed on performance?

What they are checking: Whether they treat safety as non-negotiable and show it through decisions, not slogans.

Tell me about a tough people decision you made, like removing a leader.

What they are checking: Willingness to make hard calls on leadership fairly and with clear reasoning.

What would you do

How do you keep sales, operations and service aligned when their goals pull against each other?

What they are checking: Ability to lead across functions so sales doesn't sell work operations can't deliver profitably.

A major data center or hospital customer escalates a serious problem to you directly. What do you do?

What they are checking: Executive customer handling in mission-critical settings where failure has serious consequences.

How would you hire and keep skilled fire technicians in a tight labor market?

What they are checking: Practical plans for recruiting, training and retention, which limit growth in field businesses.

About the work

How would you translate enterprise strategy into a plan for a large metro fire systems, service and sales business?

What they are checking: Whether they can turn corporate goals into local priorities, targets and actions people can carry out.

What numbers do you look at every week to know how a metro branch is really doing?

What they are checking: Command of operating metrics like backlog, margin, service utilization, billing and safety.

How do you grow service revenue in fire protection, like inspections and recurring contracts?

What they are checking: Understanding of the recurring service model that keeps fire businesses stable.

How do you stay on top of fire code changes and requirements from local authorities?

What they are checking: Awareness that compliance with NFPA codes and local rules underpins the business.

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The full job description

As published by Johnson Controls.

About Us: Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education. For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward. Fire Metro General Manager MGM Johnson Controls is seeking a dynamic leader to guide a large-scale Fire systems, service, sales business in a metropolitan market. You will help deliver smart, healthy, and sustainable building solutions while driving strong customer outcomes, operational discipline, and sustainable growth. This role is ideal for an executive operator who can translate enterprise strategy into local market execution, lead across functions, and build a culture where safety, quality, accountability, and performance go hand in hand. Role Overview As the Metro General Manager, you will own the overall performance of a complex field organization spanning sales, operations, service, and project delivery. You will be responsible for growth, profitability, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement while developing leaders and strengthening strategic customer relationships across the market. What You'll Do • Lead the metro FIRE business with full accountability for growth, execution, profitability, and customer experience. • Develop and execute local market strategies aligned with Johnson Controls growth objectives. • Own the P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning for the assigned business. • Drive revenue growth, margin performance, and operational efficiency across sales, service, and project delivery. • Lead and coach cross-functional teams, including sales, operations, service, and project management leaders. • Build executive-level relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders to strengthen retention and expand business opportunities. • Support disciplined service delivery, project execution, inventory management, and cost control. • Identify market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics to guide business decisions. • Develop future leaders, strengthen succession plans, and foster a high-performing, inclusive culture. • Champion safety, compliance, and quality standards across all business activities. How You'll Do It • Own outcomes with accountability by setting clear priorities, tracking performance against plan, and acting quickly to address risks in safety, service, quality, and financial results. • Stay close to the work by understanding customer expectations, field execution realities, and the operational barriers that can slow delivery or impact experience. • Improve every day through candid business reviews, root-cause problem solving, and continuous improvement actions that strengthen productivity, margins, and consistency. • Win as one team by aligning sales, operations, service, and project delivery around shared goals and by creating trust across functions and levels of the organization. • Use data, market insight, and forecast discipline to make decisions that balance near-term performance with long-term market growth. • Lead with transparency and coaching so managers and frontline leaders have the clarity and support they need to perform at a high level. • Maintain a strong safety mindset and operational rigor in every customer interaction, project milestone, and service commitment. Required • Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field. • 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in FIRE systems and services, building automation, controls, mechanical services, construction services, industrial services, or a related technical industry. • Significant experience leading geographically dispersed teams and large operational organizations. • Proven success managing a substantial P&L and delivering sustainable business growth. • Demonstrated strength in strategic planning, operational leadership, and financial management. • Experience leading sales, operations, service, and project execution functions. • Strong executive presence with the ability to influence customers, employees, and senior leadership. • Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills. Preferred • MBA or advanced business degree. • Experience leading large-scale field operations within Security systems, controls, building systems, or related industrial businesses. • Experience driving organizational transformation and change management initiatives. • Experience building leadership pipelines and developing future leaders. • Familiarity with multi-site market operations and complex customer portfolios. HIRING SALARY RANGE: $160-200K (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This role offers a competitive Bonus plan that will take into account individual, group, and corporate performance. This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site at https://jobs.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us JCI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected categories. Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law. To view more information about your equal opportunity and non-discrimination rights as a candidate, visit EEO is the Law . If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit here .

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