JR165 Preconstruction Manager - Lead Estimator

Rycon Construction; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rycon Construction, Inc. is seeking a Preconstruction Manager / Lead Estimator for mission critical/data center projects. The role is remote-capable with local or hybrid collaboration preferred.

You will lead all preconstruction and estimating activities through GMP and construction start, managing stakeholders and developing budgets and cost models. Ideal candidates have extensive experience with data center infrastructure, risk assessment, value engineering, and negotiation support, with

Qualifications

• 10+ years of construction estimating and preconstruction experience
• Experience with data center / mission critical facilities
• Strong knowledge of MEP systems and cost control
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Proficiency with estimating software and Excel

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction and estimating activities for mission critical/data center projects from concept through GMP and construction start (locally or remotely).
• Manage relationships with owners, developers, architects, engineers, and subcontractors during preconstruction.
• Develop conceptual to detailed estimates using current market data and historical costs.
• Prepare budgets, cost models, and benchmarking analyses for clients and leadership.
• Lead value engineering and cost-saving initiatives while maintaining schedule and reliability.

Job description

RyconConstruction, Inc. is an employee-owned company (ESOP) that provides construction management, general contracting, and design-build services nationwide.Ryconis an ENR Top 400 Contractor, ENR Top 100 Green Contractor, and is celebrating our 35th anniversary this year (2024). We have nine offices, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Charlotte, Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Houston, Philadelphia, and Washington,DC.,and specialize in new construction, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects.Rycon'sportfolio consists of projects and developments in health care, educational (K-12 & higher ed), industrial/warehouse, commercial, multi-unit residential, retail, financial, food service/dining, governmental, hospitality, cannabis, self-storage, and LEED facilities. We excel in preconstruction planning, MEPexpertise, with experienced project team members focused on the multiple markets we serve. We also have an in-house Architectural Woodwork & Specialty Fabrication Division that ships/installs nationally.

Preconstruction Manager / Lead Estimator - Mission Critical (Data Centers) role with any of our Rycon offices.

(Remote-capable for the right candidate; local or hybrid preferred for collaboration)

What you will do:

• Lead all preconstruction and estimating activities for mission critical/data center projects from concept through GMP and construction start.
• Manage relationships with all project stakeholders, including owners, developers, architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, and vendors throughout the preconstruction process.
• Develop conceptual, schematic, design development, and detailed estimates using current market data and historical cost information.
• Prepare and present project budgets, cost models, and benchmarking analyses to clients and internal leadership.
• Lead value engineering and cost-saving initiatives while maintaining project performance, reliability, and schedule objectives.
• Perform constructability reviews and identify design risks, scope gaps, coordination challenges, and cost impacts.
• Develop project-specific risk assessments and mitigation strategies related to cost, schedule, procurement, labor availability, and market conditions.
• Manage subcontractor solicitation, bid packages, bid leveling, scope reviews, and procurement planning for mission critical systems and specialty trades.
• Collaborate with operations teams to support scheduling, logistics planning, phasing strategies, and project execution planning.
• Participate in contract review activities and provide pricing support for owner negotiations and subcontractor agreements.
• Maintain a strong understanding of local and national construction market conditions, including labor trends, material pricing, escalation factors, and supply chain impacts.
• Monitor and analyze market intelligence related to mission critical construction, including contractor availability, emerging technologies, and economic trends.
• Organize and maintain cost data within the company's historical estimating database and continuously improve estimating accuracy.
• Support client presentations, pursuit efforts, and preconstruction meetings while serving as a trusted advisor throughout the planning process.

What you will need to be successful:

• Minimum of 10 years of construction estimating and preconstruction experience, including at least 5 years supporting Mission Critical/Data Center projects.
• Demonstrated experience preparing conceptual through GMP estimates for hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, or other mission critical data center facilities.
• Strong understanding of data center infrastructure systems, including electrical distribution, generators, UPS systems, cooling systems, controls, commissioning, and redundancy requirements.
• Proven experience leading negotiated and design-assist preconstruction efforts for large, complex projects.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, narratives, reports, and complex MEP systems.
• Strong knowledge of construction means and methods, estimating principles, procurement strategies, and cost control practices.
• Experience developing risk assessments, value engineering studies, and constructability reviews.
• Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software such as Precon Suite, BuildingConnected, Destini Estimator, On-Screen Takeoff, Planswift, Bluebeam, or similar platforms.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Knowledge of the mission critical construction market preferred; familiarity with regional labor, subcontractor, and supplier networks strongly desired.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively engage owners, consultants, and executive leadership.
• Strong organizational and leadership capabilities with the ability to oversee multiple pursuits simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience delivering projects valued at $50M to $500M+ within the mission critical/data center market.
• Existing relationships with data center owners, developers, engineers, specialty contractors, and key industry partners.
• Experience supporting hyperscale clients such as major cloud, technology, or colocation providers.
• Familiarity with commissioning processes, phased turnover strategies, and mission critical operational requirements.
• Experience with BIM/VDC coordination and technology-enabled preconstruction processes.
• Professional certifications such as CCP, CEP, LEED, DBIA, PMP, or CDT are a plus.

AtRyconConstruction, Inc. we believe outstanding employees build the foundation necessary for excellence in business. It is with this belief that we are always looking for the best qualified and most talented employees to become part of our team.Ryconoffers advancement opportunities along with an excellent salary and benefits package thatincludes,medical, dental, vision, ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) and 401(k). Qualified candidates willbe requiredtosubmit toa background screening upon acceptance of an offer.

RyconConstruction Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.