JR165 Preconstruction Manager - Lead Estimator

Rycon Construction

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

Rycon Construction, Inc. is seeking a Preconstruction Manager / Lead Estimator for their Mission Critical (Data Centers) role. This position can be remote for the right candidate, but local or hybrid is preferred for collaboration. The role involves leading all preconstruction and estimating activities for mission critical/data center projects from concept through GMP and construction start. The successful candidate will manage stakeholder relationships, develop various types of estimates, prepare and present project budgets, lead value engineering initiatives, perform constructability reviews, and develop risk assessments. They will also manage subcontractor solicitation, bid packages, and procurement planning, collaborate with operations teams, and participate in contract review activities. A strong understanding of local and national construction market conditions, including labor trends, material pricing, and supply chain impacts, is essential. The role also includes monitoring market intelligence related to mission critical construction, maintaining and improving the historical estimating database, and supporting client presentations and preconstruction meetings.

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years of construction estimating and preconstruction experience, including at least 5 years supporting Mission Critical/Data Center projects.
Demonstrated experience preparing conceptual through GMP estimates for hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, or other mission critical data center facilities.
Strong understanding of data center infrastructure systems, including electrical distribution, generators, UPS systems, cooling systems, controls, commissioning, and redundancy requirements.
Proven experience leading negotiated and design-assist preconstruction efforts for large, complex projects.
Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, narratives, reports, and complex MEP systems.
Strong knowledge of construction means and methods, estimating principles, procurement strategies, and cost control practices.
Experience developing risk assessments, value engineering studies, and constructability reviews.
Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software such as Precon Suite, BuildingConnected, Destini Estimator, On-Screen Takeoff, Planswift, Bluebeam, or similar platforms.
Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively engage owners, consultants, and executive leadership.
Strong organizational and leadership capabilities with the ability to oversee multiple pursuits simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the mission critical construction market preferred; familiarity with regional labor, subcontractor, and supplier networks strongly desired.
Experience delivering projects valued at $50M to $500M+ within the mission critical/data center market.
Existing relationships with data center owners, developers, engineers, specialty contractors, and key industry partners.
Experience supporting hyperscale clients such as major cloud, technology, or colocation providers.
Familiarity with commissioning processes, phased turnover strategies, and mission critical operational requirements.
Experience with BIM/VDC coordination and technology-enabled preconstruction processes.
Professional certifications such as CCP, CEP, LEED, DBIA, PMP, or CDT are a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead all preconstruction and estimating activities for mission critical/data center projects from concept through GMP and construction start.
Manage relationships with all project stakeholders, including owners, developers, architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, and vendors throughout the preconstruction process.
Develop conceptual, schematic, design development, and detailed estimates using current market data and historical cost information.
Prepare and present project budgets, cost models, and benchmarking analyses to clients and internal leadership.
Lead value engineering and cost-saving initiatives while maintaining project performance, reliability, and schedule objectives.
Perform constructability reviews and identify design risks, scope gaps, coordination challenges, and cost impacts.
Develop project-specific risk assessments and mitigation strategies related to cost, schedule, procurement, labor availability, and market conditions.
Manage subcontractor solicitation, bid packages, bid leveling, scope reviews, and procurement planning for mission critical systems and specialty trades.
Collaborate with operations teams to support scheduling, logistics planning, phasing strategies, and project execution planning.
Participate in contract review activities and provide pricing support for owner negotiations and subcontractor agreements.
Maintain a strong understanding of local and national construction market conditions, including labor trends, material pricing, escalation factors, and supply chain impacts.
Monitor and analyze market intelligence related to mission critical construction, including contractor availability, emerging technologies, and economic trends.
Organize and maintain cost data within the company's historical estimating database and continuously improve estimating accuracy.
Support client presentations, pursuit efforts, and preconstruction meetings while serving as a trusted advisor throughout the planning process.