Director, Development (Pre-Construction)

Quality Technology Services•Irving, TX

About The Position

QTS is a global digital infrastructure company that designs, builds, and operates data centers supporting AI, cloud, and digital transformation initiatives. QTS is a portfolio company of Blackstone. The role overview describes a Pre-Construction Manager on the Development team, responsible for coordinating preconstruction activities from initial pre-development engagement through the start of onsite construction. The position manages cost estimation, schedules, budgets, general contractor and subcontractor engagement, and early-stage risk and quality control. It aligns design intent, costs, and planning with business expectations and local regulations, working with pre-development teams, schedule planners, external partners, and consultants to prepare projects for delivery on time, within budget, and to QTS standards. The position coordinates scope, deliverables, schedules, permits, estimates, budgets, value engineering, client communication, stakeholder meetings, subcontractor and supplier engagement, bid reviews, risk mitigation, documentation, regulatory compliance, sustainability review, reporting, and audit preparation. It also coordinates with estimators, planners, and bid managers, mentors junior staff, contributes to process improvement, and uses project management and estimating software. The posting title is Director, Development (Pre-Construction), while the role overview identifies the position as Pre-Construction Manager.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and/or professional licenses in Construction Management, Electrical or 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 data center lease providers.
Ability to influence cross-discipline teams while managing deadlines and support staff.
Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.
Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations at a high-growth company.
Data center development and construction experience.
Master site planning and site due diligence experience.
Deep cost management and estimation background.
Site logistics and planning experience.
Constructability and design review expertise.

Responsibilities

Coordinate preconstruction activities from initial pre-development engagement through the start of onsite construction.
Collaborate with clients and internal teams to confirm project scope, milestones, and deliverables.
Create and manage preconstruction schedules aligned with client timelines and internal targets.
Coordinate design, procurement, and construction teams to align preconstruction inputs.
Coordinate early-stage approvals, permits, and documentation in accordance with applicable regulations.
Collaborate with estimators to develop cost estimates that reflect market rates and project conditions.
Monitor preconstruction budgets and flag potential overruns or savings opportunities.
Participate in cost review meetings and suggest materials, systems, or methods that maintain quality while reducing costs.
Serve as the client point of contact during preconstruction and communicate progress and changes.
Lead preconstruction meetings with architects, consultants, subcontractors, and other stakeholders to align scope, budget, and timelines.
Keep clients informed about risks, changes, and cost implications during planning.
Support subcontractor selection and onboarding, and ensure subcontractors meet project requirements and deadlines.
Coordinate review and comparison of subcontractor bids for value and scope compliance.
Monitor subcontractor participation and ensure deliverables and commitments are met.
Identify budget, design feasibility, procurement, and schedule risks during planning and assist with mitigation and contingency planning.
Provide input into contract terms to allocate and reduce QTS risk exposure.
Review design, scope, and tender documents for quality and regulatory standards.
Coordinate with compliance and legal teams to support adherence to health, safety, and environmental laws.
Promote sustainable construction practices in early-stage planning.
Produce reports on budget updates, preconstruction milestones, and risk status for internal and client reporting.
Maintain current records of estimates, schedules, approvals, and preconstruction decisions, and ensure documentation is audit-ready.
Coordinate with estimators, planners, and bid managers to support efficient workflow and quality deliverables.
Guide junior staff and support their development in preconstruction planning and project coordination.
Contribute lessons learned and best practices to improve preconstruction processes.
Use project management and estimating software such as Autodesk Construction Cloud, Procore, Primavera P6, or equivalent.