Pre-Construction Data Center Manager

We are seeking an experienced leader to drive pre-construction strategy and planning for large-scale, mission-critical data center developments. This role will guide projects from site selection through design development, ensuring cost, schedule, and constructability objectives are achieved while aligning cross-functional stakeholders.

• Lead pre-construction planning from site selection through design development, providing cost, schedule, and constructability guidance at key milestones. Act as primary liaison between Real Estate, Design Engineering, Procurement, and Construction teams.
• Conduct detailed constructability reviews across electrical, mechanical, structural, and civil disciplines, with emphasis on high-density power distribution, liquid cooling infrastructure, and utility interconnections
  . Identify and mitigate cost/schedule risks.
• Perform site evaluations assessing electrical capacity, utility access, civil/structural constraints, and build phasing. Define site-specific requirements impacting delivery strategy, budget, and integration with surrounding infrastructure.
• Develop construction scope packages and RFPs for General Contractors. Manage GC pre-construction services including bid reviews, schedule development, labor pricing analysis, subcontractor evaluations, and negotiations with landlords, developers, and contractors.
• Partner with Contracts, Legal, and Commercial teams to structure agreements reflecting construction realities, including milestone payments, rent commencement triggers, landlord/tenant obligations, and risk allocation.
• Execute financial analysis of construction costs from conceptual estimating through GMP. Support budget updates and validate estimates against market conditions and historical benchmarks.
• Prepare comprehensive handoff packages for Construction Managers, including budgets, schedules, design documentation, contractor agreements, and site data. Capture lessons learned to improve design standards and delivery processes.
• Lead full site due diligence including geotechnical assessments, utility availability (power, water, fiber), zoning/permitting pathways, environmental constraints, and logistics planning.

• 7+ years of construction management experience on large, complex projects involving major MEP systems.
• 3+ years focused on pre-construction or design phase management for mission-critical facilities valued at $50M+.
• Deep knowledge of critical facility MEP systems: electrical distribution, backup power, HVAC, fire protection, and BMS.
• Proven ability to review construction drawings/specifications and provide constructability guidance across disciplines.
• Experience developing budgets, schedules, scopes of work, and performing cost analysis / value engineering.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills in fast-paced environments.
• Proficiency with MS Excel, MS Project / Primavera P6, and cost estimating tools.
• Willingness to travel (25–40%) across project locations.

• Direct experience with data center construction
  , particularly hyperscale or AI/HPC environments.
• Expertise in high-density power (50+ kW/rack), liquid cooling, and advanced power architectures
  .
• Knowledge of utility interconnection processes and applicable codes/standards (NEC, NFPA, IBC, ASHRAE, OSHA).
• Experience operating in high-growth or startup/scale-up environments.
• Professional certifications (CCM, PMP, PE) preferred.
• Familiarity with renewable energy integration, microgrids, or sustainable infrastructure strategies.
• Established network of GC, MEP subcontractor, and supplier relationships.