Data Center Preconstruction Manager (MEP)

As a Preconstruction Manager, you will be responsible for assisting with the design, preconstruction and some construction activities on a given project(s). The Precon Manager will interact daily with Contractors, Engineers, Commissioning Agents, Clients, Design Consultants and Vendors and should have both written and oral communication skills commensurate with this level of regular communication. This role is a hands-on, detail-oriented position focused on ensuring projects are well organized and prepared during the pre-construction phase.

The Preconstruction Manager will work across multiple projects, helping track progress, align teams, and support execution readiness. This role is best suited for someone who is proactive, organized, detail-oriented and can manage competing priorities, track complex workflows, and proactively support project execution in a fast-paced environment.

Serverfarm’s 25-year track record of success in designing, building, and operating data centers is rooted in core expertise across the entire infrastructure lifecycle. This includes strategic site acquisition, modernization of existing facilities, scalable capacity expansion, and the ongoing operation and management of high-performance, mission-critical environments. Our integrated approach ensures rapid deployment, sustainable growth, and resilient infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of AI, cloud, and enterprise customers across global markets.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead coordination between engineering teams, consultants, contractors, owners, and clients to define project scope, document deviations, and align technical requirements from the land due diligence phase through initial/finalized design.

• Drive alignment of evolving owner and client inputs with design standards, budget targets, cash flow considerations, and early schedule milestones.

• Own CDE completion along with BOD generation/deviation mgmt.

• Strong participation in Client contract/SLA reviews against the CDE and BOD

• Generate and own initial schedule for the project with other leadership teammates input and track project deliverables, timelines, and key milestones to ensure alignment across teams

• Oversee review of precon/design documents, initial engineering related analyses, bid packages, and preliminary schedules to ensure technical compliance, constructability, and commercial viability.

• Generate and maintain precon budget until handover to development project mgmt.

• Integrate preconstruction management into early design, including conceptual budgeting, cost benchmarking, value engineering, scope validation, and early risk identification.

• Partner with procurement and commercial teams to review OFCI strategies, long-lead equipment tracking and planning, and preliminary cost impacts.

• Facilitate structured preconstruction and design alignment meetings to ensure clear decision-making, documented outcomes, and forward momentum.

• Advise development and leadership teams on technical constraints, site limitations, cost drivers, and schedule risks during land evaluation and early project planning.

• Support QA/QC process with site observation visits and confirming validation of engineering intent during design development to ensure deliverables are coordinated, complete, and ready for execution.

• Manage multiple concurrent projects and workstreams while maintaining accountability for scope control, documentation, budget, and milestone adherence.

Required Skills

• 7+ years’ experience in construction management, design, design management, or relevant field

• 5+ years’ experience with data center and/or mission-critical projects’ design/construction

• Experience with electrical engineering systems and their integration into mission-critical environments.

Preferred Skills

• Proven ability to build and lead complex technical design discussions across engineering teams, consultants, contractors, owners, and clients while maintaining effective working relationships with internal/external stakeholders.

• Strong stakeholder alignment skills, bridging communication gaps, ability to participate in technical discussions and driving consensus across technical and non-technical groups.

• Experience managing design deliverables to meet evolving owner and client requirements while maintaining control of scope, budget, and schedule.

• Working knowledge of preconstruction management, including design-phase budgeting, constructability reviews, value engineering, scope validation, and early risk identification.

• Ability to integrate cost, schedule, and constructability considerations into engineering coordination to ensure designs are executable and commercially viable.

• Solid understanding of data center development workflows, consultant management, and cross-disciplinary engineering coordination.

• Strong organizational, written and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities across cross-functional teams

• Proactive in identifying risks, problem solving, resolving conflicts, and maintaining momentum across multiple concurrent workstreams with the ability to adapt quickly and learn new tools, processes and systems.

• Results-driven, highly organized, and accountable for delivering coordinated, constructible design packages aligned with preconstruction and project delivery milestones.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, project management, engineering, or similar

Travel

• Ability to travel up to 25%