Preconstruction Manager

SLS Consultants; United States; On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SLS Consultants is a premier real estate development and construction consulting firm focused on data center, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare assets. We seek a senior preconstruction specialist to own front-end cost planning, budgets, and procurement strategies across dynamic sites.

The role requires at least 7+ years in preconstruction, strong budgeting and bid analysis, and excellent cross-functional collaboration to drive feasibility and investment decisions.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of preconstruction experience in data center sector
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Management, or related area strongly preferred; equivalent experience considered
• Data center, semiconductor or healthcare experience preferred
• Proficient in project management tools, project accounting, and construction drawings
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Experience with GC procurement and bid evaluation
• Strong budgeting, cost modelling and risk management abilities

Responsibilities

• Lead front-end preconstruction activities across data center development opportunities in Central and Western regions
• Develop preliminary construction estimates, project budgets and programme-level cost forecasts
• Lead GC solicitation and early contractor engagement, obtaining preliminary pricing and competitive strategies
• Review and analyse GC bids, evaluating pricing, scope, exclusions, contingencies, and risks
• Develop and assess project schedules, milestones and delivery strategies
• Coordinate with development, design, engineering, finance and construction teams to refine scope and budgets
• Provide clear reporting on budgets, cost movements, and development risks with recommendations

Skills

Data center preconstruction

Cost estimation

Budget development

GC procurement

Bid evaluation

Risk assessment

Stakeholder comms

Education

Engineering/Construction degree

Tools

Project management tools

Project accounting

Construction drawings

Job description

SLS Consultants is one of the fastest growing real estate development and construction consulting firms in the industry today. We are embedded in the ever-expanding Data Center market, as well as Advanced Manufacturing, Life Science, and Healthcare asset classes. As we enter the next phase of our growth journey, we are hyper focused on providing career opportunities for our employees, maintaining our quality and culture, and consistently delivering excellence for our clients. Join SLS to fast-track your career, maximize your industry impact, and partner with iconic brands to build the digital infrastructure of tomorrow!

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in data center preconstruction, with a strong track record in front-end cost planning, budget development, GC procurement and bid evaluation. They will be commercially astute, with the technical knowledge to develop accurate project budgets, assess construction programmes, identify cost efficiencies and mitigate risks early in the project lifecycle. Experienced in engaging general contractors and reviewing competitive bids, they will be confident in challenging cost assumptions and providing robust analysis to support project feasibility and investment decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead front-end preconstruction activities across data center development opportunities in the Central and Western regions, working closely with land acquisition and due diligence teams to assess site feasibility, construction requirements and development risks.
• Develop preliminary construction estimates, project-level budgets and programme-level cost forecasts, providing robust cost modelling to support feasibility assessments and investment decisions.
• Lead GC solicitation and early contractor engagement, obtaining preliminary pricing, validating cost assumptions and establishing competitive procurement strategies.
• Review and analyse GC bids, evaluating pricing, scope, exclusions, contingencies, proposed programmes and commercial risks to support contractor selection and cost certainty.
• Develop and assess project schedules, key milestones and delivery strategies, identifying critical-path constraints, long-lead equipment requirements and potential programme risks.
• Coordinate with development, design, engineering, finance and construction teams to refine project scope, optimise costs and align budgets and programmes as projects progress through due diligence and preconstruction.
• Provide clear reporting on budgets, cost movements, contractor proposals, programme assumptions and development risks, delivering recommendations that support informed investment decisions and successful project execution.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of preconstruction experience, with a background in estimating, construction or development and exposure to the data center sector
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Management, or related area strongly preferred; equivalent experience considered
• Data center, semiconductor or healthcare experience preferred
• Proficient in project management tools, project accounting, and construction drawings.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Compensation Range: $160K - $200K