Pre-Construction Project Manager

AES US•Us, NY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Preconstruction Project Manager leads preconstruction activities for utility-scale renewable energy projects from early-stage development through execution readiness and EPC agreement completion. This highly visible role partners across Development, Development Engineering, Estimating, Procurement, Construction, Finance, and external EPC contractors to establish executable scope, cost, schedule, procurement, and risk strategies. As a trusted project leader, you will help drive investment-quality decisions, strengthen cross-functional alignment, and ensure a seamless transition from development into construction execution. This position offers the opportunity to influence large-scale renewable energy projects, collaborate with experienced industry professionals, and contribute to the growth of a more sustainable future. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences who are passionate about renewable energy, problem-solving, and delivering successful project outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline required.
Significant professional experience in renewable energy project development, preconstruction, estimating, engineering, procurement, construction, or project management.
Candidates with an equivalent combination of education and experience are encouraged to apply.
Demonstrated understanding of the utility-scale project lifecycle, including feasibility, permitting, entitlements, design, interconnection, procurement, EPC contracting, and construction execution.
Experience supporting EPC solicitations, bid evaluations, commercial negotiations, cost reviews, and project risk assessments.
Strong working knowledge of utility-scale solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems, including major equipment and applicable technical considerations.
Ability to develop and interpret project schedules, cost estimates, bid comparisons, risk registers, and executive-level project reporting.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, organizational, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to thrive in dynamic and time-sensitive environments.
Proficiency with Microsoft Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Primavera P6, Procore, Quickbase, Microsoft Project, and Bluebeam, or comparable tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience working across a portfolio of utility-scale renewable energy projects in a matrixed organization.
Experience with domestic content requirements and prevailing wage and apprenticeship considerations.
Experience leading project teams, mentoring colleagues, or guiding cross-functional initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to improve preconstruction, procurement, contracting, or project-controls processes.

Responsibilities

Lead preconstruction engagement for assigned projects and establish alignment on scope, schedule, deliverables, risks, and execution strategy.
Assess project maturity across permitting, entitlements, site control, interconnection, design, procurement, logistics, and constructability to support informed decision-making.
Proactively identify project risks and opportunities, develop mitigation strategies with cross-functional partners, and communicate impacts and recommendations clearly and effectively.
Provide consistent project tracking and executive-ready reporting on milestones, priorities, workload, and key dependencies.
Support M&A due diligence, opportunity assessments, and red-flag memoranda for potential projects and acquisitions.
Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying lessons learned and best practices that enhance project performance and scalability.
Review design information for constructability, operational considerations, and readiness before estimating and procurement activities.
Partner with Development Engineering and interconnection stakeholders to understand high-voltage scope, utility requirements, and related schedule impacts.
Collaborate with Estimating to validate capital cost assumptions, reconcile EPC pricing with internal estimates, and identify opportunities to improve cost accuracy and project value.
Develop and maintain integrated development and construction schedules that incorporate design, utility, permitting, equipment delivery, logistics, and targeted commercial operation date milestones.
Apply a strong understanding of project sequencing to anticipate constraints, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical solutions that support project success.
Develop and execute EPC engagement and solicitation strategies in partnership with the Execution Strategy, Construction, Engineering, and Procurement teams.
Prepare and issue EPC RFP packages through Procore, manage bidder communications and RFIs, and drive complete and compliant responses.
Analyze EPC proposals, facilitate cross-functional bid reviews, and prepare clear bid summaries and selection recommendations.
Support EPC contract negotiations and ensure alignment among RFP requirements, bid assumptions, commercial terms, project risks, and execution plans.
Manage the EPC target-price process, including labor, materials, direct and indirect costs, domestic content considerations, and prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements.
Monitor relevant equipment technology, approved vendor requirements, commodity pricing, availability, and supply-chain considerations that may affect project cost or schedule.
Help identify innovative procurement and commercial strategies that enhance project value and competitiveness.
Build trusted relationships with EPC contractors and strategic partners to support reliable delivery of regional project portfolios.
Influence decisions across a matrixed organization and facilitate timely alignment among Development, Engineering, Construction, Procurement, Estimating, and Finance stakeholders.
Provide execution-ready bid and project information to Construction Project Managers to support an effective handoff into execution.
Drive standardization, continuous improvement, and scalability across preconstruction, bidding, contracting, and reporting processes.
Promote a culture of safety, integrity, accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and disciplined decision-making in all internal and external interactions.
Mentor and share knowledge with colleagues, helping strengthen team capabilities and organizational excellence.