Senior Preconstruction Project Manager

Smart Tech Contracting delivers turnkey BAS & EPMS solutions for mission-critical colocation and hyperscale data centers operating at national program scale. As a Master Systems Integrator (MSI), we unify controls construction (DDC, PLC, SCADA) with software engineering, optimized graphics / UI standards, and program-level governance. Complex integrations are delivered cleanly, consistently, and fast. Our teams thrive in high-stakes environments where quality control and uptime matters, schedules are compressed, and coordination is everything. Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority. Position Title: Senior Preconstruction Project Manager Position Location: Remote – Work from Anywhere in the United States JOB SUMMARY The Senior Preconstruction Project Manager leads front-end project planning for large-scale mission-critical and data center construction opportunities prior to award. This role is responsible for developing proposal-phase manpower plans, labor forecasts, preliminary project schedules, execution strategies, and pre-award risk assessments that improve pursuit quality, increase schedule certainty, and better position Smart Tech Contracting to win and successfully launch complex projects. This role works closely with business development, estimating, operations, and technical and field leadership to translate conceptual scope, bid documents, and pursuit assumptions into a practical project delivery plan. The Senior Preconstruction Project Manager ensures that labor assumptions, sequencing strategies, schedule milestones, staffing needs, and project startup requirements are clearly defined during the pursuit process and can be efficiently transferred to the delivery team once a project is awarded. The ideal candidate brings strong experience from large construction programs in building automation, industrial automation, electrical, mechanical, ICT, industrial automation, or other mission-critical trade environments. This individual understands how major projects are actually built in the field and can develop realistic staffing and schedule plans that support both winning the work and setting the project team up for success. The Senior Preconstruction Project Manager will communicate and operate in line with organizational goals and values, as well as departmental objectives. The Senior Preconstruction Project Manager will self-direct day-to-day work and receive high-level guidance on strategic priorities, new initiatives, and assignments. The Senior Preconstruction Project Manager will lead projects, pursuits, tasks, or assignments of complex scope and may coordinate the activities of other personnel in support of preconstruction and proposal development efforts. This person will communicate and operate in line with organizational goals and values, as well as departmental objectives. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Preconstruction Planning and Scheduling (40%) Develop proposal-phase manpower plans, labor-loading models, staffing curves, and workforce forecasts for large-scale critical infrastructure and mission-critical construction projects Build preliminary project schedules, milestone plans, and high-level sequence logic aligned with owner, GC, and trade partner expectations Translate conceptual scope, estimate assumptions, and project strategy into practical execution sequencing and labor deployment plans Define work packaging, phasing strategies, turnover sequencing, startup assumptions, and deployment approaches for fast-track and phased projects Develop initial project startup plans including key staffing milestones, site mobilization assumptions, and major execution dependencies Prepare schedule narratives, manpower histograms, staffing plans, and related client-facing planning deliverables in support of proposals and interviews Estimating and Proposal Support (25%) Partner with business development, estimating, and operations leaders to align labor assumptions, resource needs, schedule durations, and execution strategy Review drawings, specifications, bid documents, client requests, and internal assumptions to identify risks, missing scope, constructability concerns, and schedule constraints Support pursuit strategy for negotiated, design-assist, design-build, GMP, and hard-bid opportunities Evaluate subcontractor, vendor, and trade-partner planning assumptions as needed to confirm schedule feasibility and manpower impacts Contribute to proposal content related to project approach, sequencing, manpower planning, logistics, schedule strategy, and risk mitigation Assist with client discussions and interviews involving staffing approach, schedule confidence, execution readiness, and overall delivery strategy Forecasting, Risk, and Execution Readiness (20%) Identify key project risks related to labor availability, productivity, procurement timing, prefabrication strategy, site logistics, turnover sequencing, and overall schedule compression Develop mitigation strategies and planning assumptions to improve project certainty before award Support portfolio-level manpower forecasting and resource visibility across active pursuits and expected awards Assist leadership in evaluating pursuit prioritization and go / no-go decisions by providing planning and execution insight Help establish realistic expectations around labor, schedule, and mobilization requirements for high-growth and high-volume project pipelines Handoff and Operational Integration (15%) Develop pre-award handoff packages that can be efficiently transitioned to the assigned project team upon award Ensure proposal assumptions for labor, schedule, sequencing, execution strategy, and project startup are documented and transferable to operations Participate in project kickoff and transition meetings to communicate key planning assumptions, risks, and execution priorities Help improve company standards, templates, and best practices for proposal-phase planning, manpower forecasting, preliminary scheduling, and project startup readiness Support continuous improvement of how Smart Tech Contracting ports preconstruction planning into awarded project execution Completion of Assigned Tasks and Deliverables on Time and on Budget Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned POSITION REQUIREMENTS (ADVANCED LEVEL FOR ALL THE FOLLOWING) Industry and Technical Experience Demonstrated experience in preconstruction, project planning, project management, operations planning, or related leadership roles for large-scale construction projects Strong understanding of how complex construction projects are staffed, sequenced, and executed in the field Experience in one or more relevant contractor environments such as building automation, controls, electrical, mechanical, low-voltage, ICT, industrial automation, or mission-critical systems Experience supporting large data center, mission-critical, industrial, or other complex fast-track construction environments Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, bid packages, phasing plans, and owner / GC expectations to develop practical labor and schedule plans Familiarity with major project delivery methods including negotiated work, design-assist, design-build, GMP, and hard-bid environments Scheduling and Manpower Planning Advanced experience developing manpower forecasts, labor-loading plans, staffing curves, and resource plans for large construction projects Strong working knowledge of critical path scheduling, milestone development, phasing logic, schedule compression strategies, and project sequencing Ability to create preliminary project schedules and execution plans during pursuit and pre-award phases Experience forecasting project management, engineering, technical, field, and subcontract labor needs across different phases of work Ability to evaluate schedule feasibility against labor assumptions, site constraints, turnover requirements, and procurement lead times Strong understanding of how early staffing and schedule assumptions affect project startup, delivery risk, and operational readiness after award Tools and Project Controls Proficiency with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent scheduling and planning tools Advanced proficiency with Excel and related tools used for manpower planning, forecasting, scenario analysis, and staffing models Familiarity with Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, BIM 360, or similar project planning and collaboration platforms Ability to organize planning data and assumptions in a format that supports efficient handoff to project delivery teams Leadership and Communication Strong client-facing communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, especially related to schedule, manpower, execution approach, and project readiness Ability to collaborate effectively across business development, estimating, operations, engineering, procurement, and field leadership Ability to identify planning risks early, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical solutions Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple pursuits or planning efforts simultaneously Skilled in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form with technical and non-technical stakeholders Ability to analyze and prepare documents, reports, and correspondence Ability to leverage AI and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, improve forecasting, and contribute to company-wide innovation Ability to work successfully in a remote environment through effective communication, self-motivation, proactiveness, and resourcefulness in a distraction-free workspace Safety and General Ability to follow company and site safety requirements Ability to identify and analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions Ability to achieve certification for NFPA 70E and / or OSHA training as required Organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously PHYSICAL DEMANDS The following physical demands must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is: Frequently manipulating, moving or grasping small parts, devices or tools Frequently required to remain in a stationary position Frequently moving through office, critical facility and other environments (such as low temperatures, high temperatures and outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind), including tight and confined spaces Frequently descending / ascending stairs and ladders to access equipment On occasion the employee may be required to position self under or over equipment On occasion the employee may move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Up to 25%, this may include travel to any or all 50 US states Effective May 7, 2025, and in accordance with U.S. federal regulations for domestic air travel, a valid REAL ID (or an acceptable alternative, such as a passport) is required for travel associated with this position. Travel may involve transportation by car or plane depending on the destination and nature of the business need. Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meetings for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc. EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field OR equivalent military/industry experience. 8+ years delivering mission critical automation or controls projects, with ≥4 years as lead or senior project manager on ≥50 MW data center builds or comparable industrial megaprojects. BENEFITS Smart Tech Contracting offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option) Dental and vision plans Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance Paid parental leave after one year of employment CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC residents only: In accordance with CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC law, the range provided is STC's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and location. Smart Tech Contracting is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and participates in the E-Verify program with the Department of Homeland Security. We encourage diversity in our workforce. Are you ready to challenge yourself and redefine standards in the AEC industry? Apply now and join our award-winning team! NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES: STC does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to STC in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where STC has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of STC and STC will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.