Preconstruction Manager

Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 85,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager to support a major data centre development in Southern Norway. The role involves coordinating design, planning, procurement and commercial activities to prepare for construction.

You will work across design teams, contractors and internal stakeholders, with hybrid working arrangements including some travel to site, and a strong emphasis on risk management and schedule control.

Qualifications

• Experience leading preconstruction on complex projects.
• Delivery of data centre or mission-critical developments preferred.
• Strong coordination between design, planning and procurement.
• Experience with General Contractor tendering and selection.
• Commercial risk assessment and cost planning experience.
• Excellent stakeholder communication and organisation.
• Proactive and ownership mindset.

Responsibilities

• Design management coordinating consultants and stakeholders.
• Develop and oversee preconstruction schedules.
• Lead General Contractor procurement, tendering and negotiations.
• Oversee procurement planning and packages.
• Coordinate site due diligence and risk identification.
• Monitor project costs and commercial risks in preconstruction.
• Coordinate with contractors and internal teams.
• Identify and address technical, commercial and programme risks early.

Skills

Preconstruction management

Design coordination

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Risk management

Tendering & procurement

Job description

Data Centre Development | Southern Norway | Hybrid

We are seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager to support the development of a major data centre project in Southern Norway.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of the preconstruction phase, coordinating multiple workstreams and helping establish the foundations for successful project delivery. The role will have broad oversight across design, planning, procurement, contractor selection and commercial considerations, working closely with key stakeholders to ensure the project is fully prepared before moving into construction.

The successful candidate will be comfortable operating across both the technical and commercial aspects of a project, bringing together the right people, processes and information to drive progress and manage risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Design Management: Oversee the design process, coordinating consultants and key stakeholders to ensure design deliverables align with project requirements, programme and budget.
• Programme & Scheduling: Develop and oversee preconstruction schedules, monitoring key milestones, dependencies and critical path activities.
• General Contractor Appointment: Lead the process of identifying, assessing and appointing a suitable General Contractor, coordinating tendering, bid evaluations and contractor negotiations.
• Procurement: Oversee procurement planning and strategy, ensuring key packages, suppliers and services are identified and aligned with the overall project programme.
• Site Due Diligence: Coordinate site investigations and due diligence activities, identifying potential constraints, risks and issues that could impact project delivery.
• Commercial Oversight: Maintain a strong overview of project costs, budgets, estimates and commercial risks, supporting informed decision-making throughout preconstruction.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Work collaboratively with consultants, contractors, developers and internal project teams to ensure all preconstruction activities remain aligned.
• Risk Management: Identify and proactively address technical, commercial and programme-related risks ahead of the construction phase.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience in a Preconstruction Manager or similar role within complex construction projects.
• Experience delivering large-scale data centre, mission-critical, industrial or other technically complex developments.
• Strong understanding of design coordination, construction sequencing and programme management.
• Experience managing General Contractor procurement, tendering and appointment processes.
• Commercial awareness, including cost planning, budget management and risk assessment.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple disciplines.
• A proactive, organised approach with the confidence to take ownership of the preconstruction process.

Location & Working Arrangements

The successful candidate can be based in London, Dublin or Amsterdam, working on a hybrid basis with occasional travel to the project site in Southern Norway.

This offers the opportunity to take on a significant project role without the need to relocate permanently.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for a preconstruction professional to play a key role in shaping a major data centre development, with responsibility spanning the technical, programme, procurement and commercial elements that underpin successful project delivery.