Pre-Construction Section Manager – Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Burns & McDonnell

Kansas City (MO)

On-site

USD 140,000 - 210,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

You will collaborate with Business Development and engineering leaders to define pursuit strategies, oversee cost models, and ensure timely, competitive bids. Strong leadership, communication, and project-management expertise are essential.

Qualifications

Bachelor degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or related field with 5 years related professional experience in design and/or project management.
12 years of progressive construction and pre-construction experience preferred.
Leadership and management experience supervising pre-construction or estimating teams.
Experience in utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) or similar.
Excellent oral and written communication; ability to present to executives and clients.
Strong project management skills and a strategic perspective.
Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Understanding EPC, Design-Build, and CMAR delivery methods.
Deep knowledge of BESS equipment technology.
Ability to influence, lead, and manage change.
Strong commercial acumen in contracts and risk management.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership to pre-construction managers, estimators, schedulers, and staff.
Manage section workload to meet timelines and billable targets.
Recruit, onboard, train, and retain pre-construction staff.
Champion company culture, values, and safety across workflows.
Manage budgets, overhead, software licensing, and resources.
Partner with BD and practice leaders to define pursuit strategies.
Lead pursuit strategy meetings and client interviews.
Review RFPs to assess viability and risk.
Direct the preparation of cost models from concept to detailed bids.
Ensure standard WBS and cash flow forecasting.
Maintain estimating database and track pricing trends.
Chair estimate and risk review sessions with leadership.
Monitor budgets and schedules across pursuits.
Sponsor constructability reviews and value analysis.
Adopt BIM and digital takeoff tools.
Oversee subcontractor pre-qualification and bids.
Collaborate on contract terms, warranties, tax and tariff considerations.
Foster partnerships with trade contractors.
Establish handoff protocols from pre-construction to execution.
Participate in mobilization reviews and procurement alignment.
Conduct audits for lessons learned and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Team mentoring

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/architecture/construction

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

BIM

Digital takeoff

Job description

Description

Position Overview

The Pre-Construction Section Manager – Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is responsible for the managerial direction, leadership, and operational success of the Pre-Construction section supporting utility-scale energy storage and hybrid renewable projects. Operating within an Engineer-Procure-Construct (EPC), Design-Build, and Construction Management delivery framework, this role balances executive section leadership—including resource planning, staff development, and financial performance with hands‑on oversight of proposal development, estimating, constructability, and early procurement.

The Section Manager will lead and grow a high-performing team of pre‑construction managers, estimators, and technical support staff. By collaborating closely with Business Development, Engineering Global Practices, Estimating Leadership, and Field Operations, this role drives profitable growth and positions the firm as an industry leader in the evolving battery energy storage sector.

What You Will Do

Section Leadership & Resource Management

Provide direct leadership, coaching, and managerial direction to pre‑construction managers, estimators, schedulers, and support staff within the energy storage section.
Manage section workload, project assignments, and staff loading to meet project timelines, billable targets, and business unit utilization goals.
Direct recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention efforts to build and sustain a top‑tier pre‑construction team specialized in utility‑scale BESS.
Champion company culture, core values, diversity, and safety across all pre‑construction and proposal workflows.
Manage section budgets, overhead expenditures, software/tool licensing, and operational resources.

Business Strategy & Pursuit Leadership

Partner with Business Development, Global Practice Leaders, and Construction Directors to define pursuit strategies, market positioning, and client relationship management for BESS opportunities.
Lead pre‑construction strategy meetings, aligning proposal win strategies, project execution plans, and competitive value propositions.
Lead high‑stakes client interviews, technical presentations, and commercial alignment sessions.
Review incoming RFPs/solicitations to determine pursuit viability, resource commitment, and overall commercial risk.

Estimating Oversight & Financial Governance

Direct the preparation of comprehensive, competitive, and transparent cost models ranging from early conceptual estimates to detailed Class 1 EPC bid submissions.
Ensure consistent application of standardized Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), indirect cost assessments, and cash flow forecasting.
Establish and govern the section’s historical estimating database, tracking equipment pricing trends, labor productivity, and balance‑of‑plant (BOP) benchmarks.
Chair formal estimate and risk review sessions with executive leadership, presenting variance analyses, contingency modeling, and risk mitigation strategies.
Monitor monthly pre‑construction budgets, proposal costs, and deliverable schedules across all active pursuits.

BESS Technical Alignment & Constructability

Act as executive sponsor for constructability reviews and value analysis, ensuring seamless integration between engineering disciplines and construction teams.
Drive the adoption of advanced estimating and coordination tools, including BIM and digital takeoff platforms, to enhance accuracy and design coordination.

Trade Partnering, Procurement & Commercial Strategy

Oversee subcontractor and vendor pre‑qualification, bid leveling, scope clarification, and commercial risk evaluations.
Collaborate with legal, insurance, and risk management teams to review contract terms, bonding requirements, warranties, and tax/tariff considerations.
Cultivate strategic industry partnerships with key trade contractors, suppliers, and equipment manufacturers.

Operational Handoff & Project Governance

Establish standardized handoff protocols to transition awarded projects smoothly from pre‑construction to the project execution and field construction management teams.
Participate in early mobilization reviews, initial procurement buyouts, and alignment meetings with project managers and superintendents.
Conduct periodic quality, progress, and financial audits on active pre‑construction efforts to identify lessons learned and drive continuous process improvements.

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or related degree from an accredited program and 5 years related professional experience in design and/or project management required.
Or applicable experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
12 years of progressive construction and pre‑construction experience preferred.
Previous Leadership & Management Experience: Proven experience supervising, mentoring, and leading pre‑construction or estimating teams is preferred.
Industry Focus: Demonstrated experience in utility‑scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), solar‑plus‑storage, substation/transmission, or major industrial electrical projects is strongly preferred.
Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.
Position requires the ability to thoughtfully and positively influence, lead, and manage change.
Must possess strong project management skills and a strategic perspective.
Must be expert in the use of computer software (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
In-depth understanding of EPC, Design‑Build, and CMAR project delivery methods preferred.
Deep knowledge of BESS equipment technology preferred.
Strong executive communication, presentation, and negotiation skills with clients, partners, and senior corporate leadership preferred.
High commercial acumen in contract structures, risk registers, scope gap mitigation, and subcontractor packaging preferred.