Pre-Construction Manager

About the Role: Pre-Construction Manager

As the Global Engineering, Maintenance, & Sustainability Pre-Construction Manager at Amazon, you will spearhead industrial development projects, including new builds, retrofits, expansions, and program initiatives. This role spans from site selection through contract execution, requiring strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to define scope, budget, and schedule, and ensure timely acquisition of building and site permits.

You will act as the project manager, leading planning, design, and pre-construction phases for various projects, including built-to-suit industrial buildings, tenant improvements, facility extensions, and renovations.

Key competencies for this position include ensuring that contracted resources meet project timelines, managing permitting processes, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), maintaining quality documentation, and leading diverse project teams (developers, design engineers, professional consultants). You will influence internal teams like Design Engineering and Amazon Robotics, manage contracts, oversee conceptual estimating and budget, and handle multiple large industrial projects concurrently across various locations. A crucial aspect is translating technical information into comprehensive narratives, providing detailed risk analyses for leadership and customers. This role blends construction engineering, planning, project management, real estate development, design validation, site visits, local code understanding, utility coordination, sustainability initiatives, multi-disciplinary design management, and contract management. The Pre-Construction Manager takes ownership of resolving upstream issues, ensuring a smooth hand-off to the construction team, and providing ongoing support.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Independently manage challenging, cross-functional industrial builds from site selection to design completion, permitting, and contract execution within an assigned regional area.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams including real estate, design engineering, entitlements, construction, finance, launch/startup, architects, engineers, permitting agencies, developers, and landlords to secure resources, scope infrastructure, set priorities, establish milestones, and drive timely project delivery.
• Drive project results through effective communication, risk assessment, decisive decision-making, and leadership, representing project and technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and vendors, leading constructive dialogue to resolve and prevent project issues.
• Manage vendor procurement and oversee professional service providers, ensuring their competencies align with property entitlement and project needs.
• Perform pricing reviews, negotiate scope inclusions/exclusions, and finalize costs with developers, general contractors, and design consultants.
• Execute cost estimating, schedule tracking, and forecasting, actively identifying and resolving factors that might impede successful permitted project hand-over.
• Supervise the implementation and management of Amazon’s safety programs and standards throughout the planning phases of a project.
• Focus on site selection, scope development, and coordination with design teams to develop site plans and composite floor plans that comply with design standards and operational requirements.
• Maintain scope control and accelerate progress by driving timely decisions, identifying and clearing blockers, and escalating issues appropriately.
• Develop and manage project schedules, including design and permitting, and select other necessary vendors.
• Partner with the Transaction team and Developers to optimize schedules and strategies for entitlements and long-lead procurement.
• Prepare and present project status and risk reports, providing clear and concise summaries to leadership and management teams.
• Operate independently within the assigned region, engaging with leadership and stakeholders to resolve issues.
• Conduct comprehensive budget and schedule tracking and forecasting, identifying and solving factors that may impede a successful project hand-over to Amazon stakeholders.
• Interface and coordinate with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to ensure regulatory compliance and smooth project execution.
• Adapt to constant change and innovation, Thinking Big to find adaptable solutions for an evolving business.
• Understand design and construction contracts, related exhibits, and provide detailed analysis and approvals of technical matters and site-specific deal structures and terms.
• Review additional reports such as noise and traffic reports and environmental studies.
• Travel up to 60% within assigned regions, with availability to work from a corporate office when not traveling.

A Day in the Life

Each day, you will represent GEMS in ensuring the on-time and within-budget execution of Amazon construction projects, while continuously improving processes. Daily tasks may include construction coordination management and design document development with various consultants regarding projected changes, project status, and ensuring consultants meet contractual obligations. You will also utilize Amazon's information systems to record and update scheduling, budget, and other key developments.

You will navigate uncertainty, proactively unblocking project barriers and influencing optimal project decisions. This involves negotiating contract terms with developers, contractors, and consultants, all while striving to meet or exceed approved scope schedules and budgets. You will also participate in site management, coordinating with contractors on changes and status, ensuring contractual obligations are met, and implementing sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions in line with Amazon’s practices. You will represent Amazon’s interests in weekly architect, owner, and contractor (AOC) meetings, providing input on root causes and corrective actions.

You will lead multiple medium to large-sized projects of varying functions, working strategically and tactically. Operating independently, you will interact with leadership to resolve issues, provide estimating support, interpret drawings, contribute to budgets, and approve lease exhibits. Pre-construction management also encompasses site validation, design management, and validation of checklists and construction documentation. For jurisdictional coordination, you will apply your understanding of zoning/planning, fire code, and building codes. You will lead large cross-functional teams, establishing confidence within the Amazon business and architecture/engineering community, and act as the primary escalation point, owning and tracking issues to ensure their resolution through influence and documentation.

Amazon Benefits

Amazon offers a full range of benefits that support you and eligible family members, including domestic partners and their children. Benefits can vary by location, the number of regularly scheduled hours you work, length of employment, and job status. Benefits generally apply to regular, full-time employees and include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Maternity and Parental Leave Options
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k) Plan

If you don’t meet every qualification, Amazon encourages you to apply. We value diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets. If you’re passionate about this role and want to make a global impact, please apply!

About The Team

At Amazon, we are all owners, leveraging unique opportunities by owning everything from design review and permitting to construction bidding and consultant management during construction execution, prior to final hand-off to our internal stakeholders. We are a diverse, upbeat, creative team of designers, engineers, and managers dedicated to developing innovative, sustainable, and efficient facilities for our customers. Our focus is on Delivering Results, demonstrating a Bias for Action, and Insisting on the Highest Standards for our customers.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience as an Architect, Engineer, Construction Manager, Development Manager, Owner's project management representative, or in other Commercial Development and Construction related disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7+ years of project management, real estate development, or architecture/design experience.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, please visit amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information.

Key skills/competency

• Project Management
• Pre-construction Planning
• Site Selection & Development
• Budget & Schedule Management
• Contract Negotiation
• Permitting & Entitlements
• Risk Analysis
• Stakeholder Management
• Industrial Construction
• Design Validation