Preconstruction Manager (Utility-Scale Solar & Energy Storage)
About The Position
The Preconstruction Manager leads pursuit strategy and preconstruction activities for utility-scale solar, battery energy storage (BESS), substation, and grid interconnection projects. The role develops estimates, evaluates project risks, coordinates design reviews, supports proposal development, and ensures a successful transition from preconstruction to execution. The position leads work from opportunity qualification through proposal, negotiation, award, and project turnover. It coordinates estimates across relevant project scopes; develops and maintains estimate bases; partners with Engineering and EORs on requirements and constructability; and supports bid packages, subcontractor and supplier evaluations, value engineering, schedules, procurement strategies, and execution plans. The manager also maintains risk and opportunity registers, evaluates commercial and contractual requirements, leads proposal development and leadership presentations, coordinates turnover of estimates and project commitments, and captures lessons learned while maintaining estimating standards, cost databases, and best practices. The role requires travel for site visits, owner meetings, bidder engagement, and project turnover activities.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Estimating, Business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
- 8+ years of progressive preconstruction, estimating, project management, or commercial experience supporting utility-scale renewable energy, power, or infrastructure projects.
- Experience developing estimates and proposals for utility-scale solar and/or BESS projects, including substations and grid interconnection scope.
- Strong understanding of renewable EPC work breakdowns, labor productivity, subcontractor scopes, equipment procurement, logistics, commissioning, and project indirect costs.
- Ability to review civil, structural, electrical, and controls documentation and translate technical requirements into cost, schedule, scope, and risk considerations.
- Experience leading subcontractor outreach, scope reviews, estimate reconciliation, value engineering, and proposal development.
- Understanding of EPC contracts, owner requirements, allowances, contingencies, escalation, change management, and risk allocation.
- Strong presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Advanced experience with Excel and construction management platforms such as HCSS, InEight, Sage Estimating, Procore, Bluebeam, Primavera P6, or similar systems.
- Ability to travel for site visits, owner meetings, bidder engagement, and project turnover activities.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
- Advanced Excel and estimating software proficiency.
Responsibilities
- Lead preconstruction efforts from opportunity qualification through proposal, negotiation, award, and project turnover.
- Coordinate conceptual through final estimates for solar, BESS, substation, transmission/interconnection, SCADA, commissioning, and related project scopes.
- Develop and maintain the basis of estimate, including quantities, labor assumptions, pricing, contingencies, schedule impacts, and exclusions.
- Partner with Engineering and EORs to review owner requirements, drawings, studies, specifications, and constructability considerations.
- Develop bid packages, scope matrices, and subcontractor responsibilities.
- Support subcontractor and supplier outreach, bid leveling, quote analysis, and market evaluations.
- Lead value engineering efforts to improve cost, schedule, constructability, and project performance.
- Develop preconstruction schedules, procurement strategies, and execution plans with Operations and Project Controls.
- Maintain project risk and opportunity registers and evaluate commercial and contractual requirements.
- Lead proposal development, scope narratives, clarifications, assumptions, exclusions, and leadership review presentations.
- Coordinate project turnover activities, including estimate assumptions, procurement strategies, risk items, and project commitments.
- Capture lessons learned and maintain estimating standards, cost databases, and best practices.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
