[Hiring] Preconstruction Manager - Lead Estimator @Rycon Construction

Role Description

Preconstruction Manager / Lead Estimator - Mission Critical (Data Centers) role with any of our Rycon offices.

(Remote-capable for the right candidate; local or hybrid preferred for collaboration)

What you will do:

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Knowledge of the mission critical construction market preferred; familiarity with regional labor, subcontractor, and supplier networks strongly desired.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision.
• ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).
• 401(k).