Preconstruction Manager

Company Description BluePath Finance is a leading financier of sustainable infrastructure, specializing in distributed energy projects that advance climate sustainability. The team structures a wide range of financing solutions tailored to the specific technical and financial needs of each venture. BluePath collaborates closely with ESCOs, EPCs, developers, and engineering groups to deliver projects that balance economic performance with operational excellence. The company is known for its ability to navigate complex engineering requirements, ownership models, and financing constructs to provide practical, effective solutions for partners and clients.

Role Description The Preconstruction Manager is a full-time, on-site role based in Baltimore, MD. The Pre-Construction Manager is responsible for managing the early-stage construction activities from LOI execution through MIPA close and EPC contract execution. This role bridges BluePath's Commercial, Legal, and Construction teams by performing construction-related due diligence on prospective projects, leading the EPC procurement process, and ensuring that projects are properly scoped, scheduled, and contracted before transitioning to the Construction team. The Pre-Construction Manager reports directly to the VP of Construction and works closely with the Commercial and Legal teams throughout the pre-construction phase.

Responsibilities

Construction Due Diligence

• Review and evaluate all construction-related deliverables submitted by developers during the LOI phase, including but not limited to: site surveys, geotechnical reports, environmental assessments, civil and electrical designs, equipment specifications, permitting status, and interconnection documentation.

• Tailor the scope of due diligence review to the development stage of the project (early, mid, or late stage), scaling the depth of review to match the volume and maturity of available documentation.

• Provide written opinions and recommendations to the Commercial and Legal teams on constructability, cost risk, schedule risk, and completeness of construction deliverables.

• Conduct site visits as needed to validate site conditions and support due diligence findings.

EPC Procurement & Bidding

• Develop and issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to qualified EPC contractors, tailored to project type, technology, and scope.

• Manage the EPC bid process including issuing bid packages, conducting pre-bid meetings, responding to bidder questions, and receiving and evaluating proposals.

• Perform bid leveling and provide written analysis and recommendations to the VP of Construction and Commercial Team.

EPC Contract Negotiation Support

• Support the VP of Construction and Legal team in the negotiation of EPC agreements, including review and markup of commercial terms, scope of work, payment schedules, and performance guarantees.

• Ensure EPC contract terms align with MIPA requirements, project pro forma assumptions, and BluePath's construction standards.

• Coordinate with the Legal team on contract redlines and facilitate communication between BluePath and EPC counterparties through execution.

Scheduling

• Develop baseline project schedules using Microsoft Project, incorporating permitting milestones, interconnection timelines, procurement lead times, and construction durations.

• Review and comment on EPC-submitted schedules for completeness, logic, and alignment with contractual milestone dates.

• Maintain and update pre-construction schedules through MIPA close and EPC execution, flagging risks and schedule impacts to the VP of Construction.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as the primary Construction team liaison to the Commercial and Legal teams during the pre-construction phase.

• Collaborate with the Engineering team on technical review of design documents and equipment specifications.

• Support the handoff from pre-construction to active construction at MIPA close and EPC execution, ensuring all pre-construction deliverables and information are transferred to the Construction PM.

• Maintain organized project files and documentation throughout the pre-construction phase.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong understanding of solar PV construction processes, means and methods, and project delivery structures (EPC, design-build)

• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret construction documents including civil and electrical drawings, specifications, and geotechnical reports

• Experience developing and managing project schedules using Microsoft Project

• Experience drafting, issuing, and evaluating EPC RFPs and bid packages

• Familiarity with EPC contract structure and commercial terms

• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Functional understanding of LLM tools (Claude, Copilot, etc.) and their limitations

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy, or a related discipline required

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the solar PV industry; candidates with fewer years but directly relevant pre-construction or EPC procurement experience will be considered

• Direct experience in a pre-construction, project development, or EPC management role preferred

• NABCEP, PMP, or OSHA 30 certification preferred; if not held at time of hire, NABCEP certification must be obtained within 2 years of employment

Physical Demands:

• Conducts work in both a field-type environment and in a professional office setting with travel to project sites to conduct due diligence reviews and site assessments.

• Physical working conditions may involve the following:

• Lifting up to 75 pounds.

• Extended periods of being on an active construction site that may include climbing ladders, standing, or walking on uneven ground, and being exposed to outdoor climates.

• Extended periods of sitting, walking, standing, reaching, and/or bending.

• Extended periods of reading fine print on a computer or in paper-based format.