Data Center Preconstruction Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The Preconstruction Manager will serve as a key member of the preconstruction team, acting as the owner’s representative responsible for overseeing the full preconstruction lifecycle across a portfolio of data center projects. This role we be responsible for GC and trade partner procurement, establishing buyout strategy, and preconstruction process oversight—ensuring that general contractors and trade partners deliver rigorous, transparent, and well-managed preconstruction efforts. The Preconstruction Manager will assist in the development of procurement strategies, lead GC selection processes, and establish the frameworks and deliverable standards that contractors are expected to follow throughout preconstruction and into GMP execution.

Key Responsibilities

GC & Trade Partner Procurement

• Develop and recommend procurement strategies for GC and trade partner selection, including evaluation of delivery methods (GMP, CM-at-Risk, Design-Build) based on project-specific requirements.

• Lead the development of comprehensive RFP packages, including project specifications, scope of work, evaluation criteria, and contract terms.

• Manage the bid process end-to-end: solicit proposals, conduct bid leveling and normalization, and prepare formal written recommendations for GC selection.

• Facilitate contractor interviews and selection meetings, providing objective analysis and recommendations to client stakeholders.

• Evaluate contractor proposals based on experience, qualifications, cost competitiveness, approach to preconstruction, and past performance.

• Provide coordination of long-lead equipment, prefabricated equipment skids, and schedule-driven procurement items.

• Establish framework for GC and trade partner cost reconciliation to ensure transparency, scope alignment, and competitive pricing.

Preconstruction Process Oversight

• Serve as the owner’s primary point of contact for managing the GC’s preconstruction effort, from GC onboarding through GMP execution.

• Attend design, development and utility coordination meetings, representing preconstruction and procurement interests.

• Define and communicate the framework of preconstruction deliverables expected from the GC, including cost trend reports, risk registers, schedule updates, value engineering studies, and trade procurement plans.

• Monitor and hold the GC accountable for the quality, completeness, and timeliness of preconstruction deliverables.

• Coordinate regularly with development, design, estimating, and project management teams to ensure alignment on procurement status, budget, and schedule.

• Review GC cost trends, estimates, and reconciliation packages to ensure alignment with project budgets and owner expectations.

• Coordinate with the WWMC estimating team to validate GC-submitted costs, quantities, and assumptions through independent reconciliation.

• Identify and escalate preconstruction risks, gaps, and misalignments early, driving resolution with the GC and project stakeholders.

• Travel to project sites as required for pre-bid walks, kick-off meetings, constructability reviews, and key project milestones.

Constructability Reviews & Value Engineering

• Conduct constructability reviews to identify potential challenges, design conflicts, and opportunities for improvement.

• Collaborate with design teams, GCs, and trade partners to develop and implement value engineering solutions that optimize cost, schedule, and quality.

• Evaluate alternative materials, methods, and technologies—including prefabricated and modular construction approaches—to enhance constructability and reduce long-term costs.

Scheduling & Phasing Support

• Provide oversight of the GC’s preconstruction and construction schedules, ensuring alignment with project milestones and delivery commitments.

• Review and validate GC-submitted baseline schedules, look-ahead plans, and phasing strategies.

• Coordinate scheduling input across design, procurement, and construction activities to identify sequencing conflicts and optimization opportunities.

• Support the development of phasing plans for multi-phase or campus-style data center programs.

· 7–10 years of experience in preconstruction management, GC procurement, cost management, or estimating within data center, mission-critical, or heavy industrial construction.

· Demonstrated experience leading GC and trade partner procurement processes, including RFP development, bid leveling, contractor evaluation, and award recommendations.

· Strong understanding of construction delivery methods, including GMP, CM-at-Risk, and Design-Build, with the ability to recommend optimal procurement strategies based on project requirements.

· Experience overseeing GC preconstruction efforts and establishing deliverable frameworks for cost trending, risk management, schedule management, and trade procurement.

· Familiarity with change order forensics, cost reconciliation, and contract compliance review.

· Working knowledge of data center construction, including familiarity with MEP infrastructure, prefabricated equipment skids, and long-lead procurement coordination.

· Experience with constructability reviews and value engineering across CSA and MEP disciplines.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, and familiarity with cost management and scheduling tools.

· Comfortable working directly with clients, GCs, design teams, and executive stakeholders.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex preconstruction information into clear, actionable recommendations.

· Self-directed problem solver; proactive in driving preconstruction processes and holding stakeholders accountable.

· Willingness to travel to project sites for meetings, pre-bid walks, and key milestones.