Solar Pre-Construction Manager; Utility-Scale IPP

Birch Creek Energy, a utility‑scale solar development company with projects throughout the United States, is seeking a Solar Pre‑Construction Manager who thrives in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented culture and shares our mission to create a future with more renewable energy.

The Solar Pre‑Construction Manager supports the successful execution of utility‑scale solar and storage projects by leading all pre‑construction activities from late‑stage development through notice to proceed (NTP). This role represents the owner’s perspective, ensuring projects are de‑risked, constructible, financeable, and ready for handoff to EPC partners and internal construction teams.

The position works closely with Development, Engineering, Procurement, Finance, and EPC contractors to validate scope, cost, schedule, and risk prior to financial close and construction start.

Our headquarters is in St. Louis, with an additional office location in Los Angeles. The ability to work from our STL or LA office is a plus factor, but remote‑work candidates with the ability to travel, as needed, are also welcomed.

• Lead pre‑construction planning for utility‑scale solar (and storage, if applicable) projects from late‑stage development through NTP
• Act as the owner’s technical and construction representative during pre‑construction
• Coordinate with EPC partners to validate construction methodologies, logistics, and sequencing
• Ensure alignment between development assumptions and executable construction plans
• Complete site walks and constructability review of projects and outline risk and opportunities to successful project execution
• Present risk and opportunities around new projects to company leadership.

• Review, validate, and challenge EPC cost estimates and schedules
• Support development of Class 3 / investment‑grade budgets and cost benchmarks
• Identify cost drivers, contingencies, and value‑engineering opportunities
• Support financial models by validating construction inputs, cash‑flow, and milestone timing
• Assist with lender technical advisor (LTA) and independent engineer (IE) reviews

• Review and validate EPC baseline schedules and critical path assumptions
• Identify schedule risks related to permitting, interconnection, procurement, and site constraints
• Develop mitigation strategies for long‑lead items and execution risks
• Track key pre‑construction milestones leading to NTP and financial close

• Facilitate Engineering meetings with internal and external engineers and project management teams prior to EPC Contract execution and handoff to Execution Project Managers.
• Coordinate constructability reviews of civil, structural, electrical, tracker, and HV/MV designs
• Ensure designs align with EPC execution strategies and site conditions
• Review design assumptions for cost, schedule, and risk impacts
• Support optimization of layouts, access roads, grading limits, and staging areas

• Coordinate and manage all RFPs for EPC selections with support from Development, Finance, and Execution teams.
• Lead LNTP negotiations with support of legal and commercial contracting team
• Manage all pre‑NTP budgets and cashflows
• Support procurement strategies and procurement team for all Owner Furnished equipment
• Review EPC subcontracting plans and supplier selections
• Assist with EPC contract exhibits related to scope, schedule, assumptions, and risk allocation
• Support negotiation of construction‑related commercial terms as needed

• Coordinate with Development on AHJ and utility requirements impacting construction
• Identify constructability and schedule impacts from permit conditions and interconnection agreements
• Support responses to utility and agency comments affecting construction scope or timing
• Track, manage, and execute on late‑stage development deliverables for company acquired projects.

• Prepare and document pre‑construction assumptions, risks, and mitigation plans
• Lead or support project handoff meetings to internal construction…