Preconstruction Director (Data Centers)

Jacobs; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 179,100 - 235,125; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & welfare benefits

401(k) and stock purchase

Paid time off

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Director to drive growth for the global Data Center market and lead the Greenville, South Carolina office. You will guide the Construction leadership team, develop strategic goals, and shape an engineering-centric delivery model across EPCM/CM projects.

You will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, manage safety standards, and advance opportunities in Electronics, Battery, and EV manufacturing markets while traveling as needed.

Qualifications

• BS in an Engineering discipline with 10+ years progressive responsibility
• 20 years of construction delivery experience including Design Build, CM, PMCM, EPCM
• Experience in Electronics, Battery, Data Centers, EV factories, Manufacturing sectors
• Willingness to travel extensively as needed

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Data Center business unit strategy and goals
• Shape operations team for EPCM/CM project delivery
• Set safety standards and lead Construction leadership
• Identify market trends and opportunities for new technologies
• Support pursuits and business development
• Oversee financial performance and contract discussions
• Collaborate across lines of business and leadership forums

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Construction management

EPCM/CM/PMCM

Sales knowledge

Willingness to travel

International experience

Education

BS in Engineering

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Our People & Places Solutions business – reinforces our drive to improve the lives of people everywhere and epitomizes the "why" of what we do – the tremendous positive impact and value our solutions bring to our communities and society. From facilities delivering life‑saving therapies and ensuring clean water to enabling the connection of people through all modes of transportation and providing access to technology – we're integrating a multitude of these solution elements to build the smart environments of tomorrow.

Start your Jacobs career with a company that inspires and empowers you to deliver your best work so you can evolve, grow and succeed – today and into tomorrow.

At Jacobs, we’re not just building structures, we’re helping our clients innovate and grow by designing, engineering, and executing the construction of their projects that are shaping our world.

We're looking for an experienced and collaborative Preconstruction Director to drive growth and provide leadership for our global Data Center market. You'll support our Greenville, South Carolina office.

As a passionate leader, you'll leverage your people management skills to help your team members discover what inspires them, nurturing their purpose and guiding them forward. Your role keeps our company connected and we’ll support you with what you need to be successful. Bring your curiosity, talent for progressing multiple prospects, projects and initiatives to a fast‑paced environment and we’ll help you grow, pursue and fulfill what inspires you – so we can make big impacts on the world, together.

Here’s what you will be doing

• Leading, directing, developing, communicating, and implementing strategic goals to the Data Center business unit. Each of these three markets are unique, and the contracting model may influence our approach.
• Reshape and create a construction operations team capable of executing EPCM and CM projects with the goal of expanding engineering-centric model to full project delivery
• Setting the safety performance standard of the business unit
• Leading, guiding, directing and evaluating the work of the Construction leadership team.
• Identifying market trends and applications for existing and new technologies.
• Monitoring and supporting the pursuit of viable business opportunities for profitable growth
• Support Business Development with new and prospective pursuits.
• Able to represent and lead in design-build pursuits that may involve construction partners to deliver with Jacobs as AE services provider.
• Driving the growth in gross margin as a percentage of revenue
• Suppling resources and training necessary to assess, screen, and develop business opportunities and optimize utilization of resources
• Developing strong relationships with internal and external clients, and with engineering and matrix counterparts
• Acting as a key participant in contract discussions
• Overseeing financial performance of projects & performance against established business plan
• Collaborating across lines of business and leadership/participation in various meetings and forums as necessary

Here’s what you'll need

• Bachelor of Science in an Engineering discipline, Construction Management, or in lieu of a degree, at least 10+ years’ additional experience in positions with progressive accountability
• 20 years’ construction delivery experience (Design Build, CM, PMCM, EPCM, lump-sum EPC work, etc.)
• Working knowledge of the sales process – including client presentations
• Breadth of experience in multiple markets including Electronics, Battery, Data Centers, EV Giga Factory, and Manufacturing
• International experience (desired but not required)
• Willingness to travel extensively as needed

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well‑being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full‑time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $179,100.00 to $235,125.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on September 14, 2025. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full‑time basis, as required by the nature of their role.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.