Preconstruction Director, Data Center Development

QTS Data Centers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays

Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Wellness program

Job summary

QTS Data Centers is seeking a Pre-Construction Manager to coordinate all preconstruction activities for mission critical data center projects. You will manage cost estimation, schedules, budgets, and early-stage risk and quality control, aligning design intent with business goals and regulatory requirements.

Working with pre‑development teams, you will lead client engagements, facilitate meetings with architects and subcontractors, and drive value engineering to optimize cost and schedule while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or professional licenses in Construction Management, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or Architecture.
• Ten or more years of progressive responsibility in the development of Mission Critical Facilities.
• Five or more years of responsibility for data center project construction with large‑scale data centers or DC lease providers.
• Ability to influence cross discipline teams while managing deadlines and support staff.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Define Scope & Deliverables: Collaborate with clients and internal teams to confirm project scope, milestones, and deliverables.
• Schedule Development: Create and manage preconstruction schedules aligned with client timelines and internal targets.
• Cross Functional Coordination: Work with design, procurement, and construction teams to ensure alignment of all preconstruction inputs.
• Permit & Regulatory Planning: Coordinate early-stage approvals, permits, and documentation in accordance with local and national regulations.
• Support Estimating Efforts: Collaborate with estimators to develop accurate and competitive cost estimates, reflecting current market rates and project conditions.
• Budget Tracking: Assist in monitoring budgets during the preconstruction phase, flagging potential overruns or savings opportunities.
• Value Engineering: Participate in cost review meetings to suggest materials, systems, or methods that maintain quality while reducing costs.
• Client Engagement: Serve as the point of contact for clients during the preconstruction phase, ensuring clear communication of progress and changes.
• Meeting Facilitation: Lead preconstruction meetings with stakeholders including architects, consultants, and subcontractors to align on scope, budget, and timelines.
• Subcontractor Engagement: Support the selection and onboarding of subcontractors, ensuring they meet project requirements and deadlines.
• Bid Reviews: Coordinate the review and comparison of subcontractor bids to ensure value and compliance with scope.
• Performance Oversight: Monitor subcontractor participation in the preconstruction process, ensuring deliverables and commitments are met.
• Early Risk Detection: Identify risks related to budget, design feasibility, procurement, and schedule during planning stages.
• Mitigation Planning: Assist in the development of risk mitigation strategies and contingency planning.
• Contractual Risk Review: Provide input into contract terms to allocate and reduce risk exposure for QTS.
• Documentation Review: Ensure that all design, scope, and tender documents meet quality and regulatory standards.
• Regulatory Compliance: Coordinate with internal compliance and legal teams to ensure adherence to relevant health, safety, and environmental laws.
• Sustainability Review: Promote the integration of sustainable construction practices into early‑stage planning.
• Progress Reporting: Produce timely reports detailing budget updates, preconstruction milestones, and risk status for internal and client reporting.
• Record Management: Maintain UpToDate records for all estimates, schedules, approvals, and preconstruction decisions.
• Audit Preparation: Ensure all documentation is audit ready and aligned with project requirements and legal obligations.
• Team Coordination: Work closely with estimators, planners, and bid managers to ensure efficient workflow and deliverable quality.
• Mentorship: Provide guidance to junior staff and support their growth in preconstruction planning and project coordination.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to ongoing improvements in preconstruction processes by sharing lessons learned and adopting best practices.
• Software Utilization: Use project management and estimating software effectively (e.g. Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), Procore, Primavera P6, or equivalent).
• Digital Integration: Support implementation of digital tools that enhance collaboration, schedule accuracy, and document control.

Skills

Data Center development

Site planning

Cost management

Cross-functional leadership

Deadline management

Travel up to 50%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or Architecture

Tools

Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC)

Procore

Primavera P6

Job description

QTS Data Centers is seeking a Pre-Construction Manager to coordinate all preconstruction activities for mission critical data center projects. You will manage cost estimation, schedules, budgets, and early-stage risk and quality control, aligning design intent with business goals and regulatory requirements.

Working with pre‑development teams, you will lead client engagements, facilitate meetings with architects and subcontractors, and drive value engineering to optimize cost and schedule while