Director, Preconstruction

Nscale is the GPU cloud engineered for AI, providing cost-effective, high-performance infrastructure for AI start-ups and large enterprise customers. We enable AI-focused companies to achieve superior results by reducing the complexity of AI development, bolstering technical capabilities, and supporting strategic business outcomes like cost management, rapid innovation, and environmental responsibility.

About the Role

Nscale is seeking a hands-on Director, Preconstruction — a pivotal role within our growing North American Preconstruction team, reporting directly to the Vice President, Preconstruction. You will lead a team of Preconstruction Managers and Analysts, owning integrated CapEx Total Development Cost Proformas, development cash flow, commitment and cancellation cost ledgers, and planning-level constructability analysis across a portfolio of hyperscale and mission-critical data center projects. This is a player-coach role: you will set the standard for technical excellence, develop your team, and drive process consistency while shaping capital expenditure decisions across North America.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Development
  • Directly manage, mentor, and develop a team of Preconstruction Managers and Analysts, including performance management, workload allocation, and career growth planning.
  • Build a high-performance team culture grounded in accountability, technical rigor, and continuous improvement.
  • Own complex scope, development cost, project-specific integrated delivery schedule coordination, and risk issues for active and prospective sites.
  • Support recruiting, onboarding, and succession planning within the Preconstruction group.
• Preconstruction Execution & Oversight
  • Oversee delivery of site-specific CapEx proformas, conceptual estimates, GC RFP reviews, cost ledgers (project-wide cash flow, commitment, and cancellation costs), and revenue-ready date forecasting across all active and prospective projects.
  • Review and approve team deliverables, including independent take-offs, cost estimates, and contractor pricing validations.
  • Lead or co-lead Prime Contractor Budget Reviews, directing budget review teams through cost and schedule analysis from conceptual phase through IGMP.
  • Ensure thorough review of Prime Contractor, Subcontractor, Colocation Provider, Power Entity, Building Design, and Consultant proposals for scope completeness, cost competitiveness, and schedule integrity.
  • Maintain and continuously improve the internal project cost database, incorporating lessons learned to keep estimating data accurate and market-competitive.
• Strategy & Business Planning
  • Support the Vice President of Preconstruction and NA Data Center Infrastructure leadership in driving business plans for geographic and vertical market expansion, ensuring capacity requirements align with hyperscale and wholesale customer needs.
  • Serve as an internal subject matter expert on total development cost, providing strategic guidance from conceptual phase through Construction Documents.
  • Partner with Commercial Management, Sales, Site Selection, Design/Engineering, Construction, Energy, Procurement, Project Controls, and Finance to ensure Preconstruction outputs support optimal capital deployment and revenue realization.
  • Contribute to project development strategy and early-stage decision-making on site characteristics, construction methodology, and cost optimization.
• Risk, Process & Standards
  • Identify, escalate, and develop mitigation strategies for risks related to scope, schedule, procurement, labor availability, and market escalation across the team's portfolio.
  • Drive standardization of Preconstruction procedures, documentation, reporting, and estimating workflows across all projects and team members.
  • Lead adoption of digital tools, estimating technology, and process improvements within the team.
  • Contribute to departmental KPIs and operational standards set by the Vice President.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Represent the Preconstruction team in executive presentations, client meetings, and strategic planning discussions.
  • Build and maintain relationships with General Contractors, major trade partners, consultants, and key vendors.
  • Support Prime Contractor commercial negotiations, site procurement strategy, and commercial positioning in partnership with Preconstruction team leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a relevant discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of related Preconstruction or construction management experience.
• Experience managing Preconstruction Managers or Senior Estimators, with demonstrated ability to lead a team of experienced professionals.
• Demonstrated expertise in CapEx proformas, conceptual estimating, cash flow modeling, GC RFP review, and Prime Contractor Budget Reviews.
• Strong understanding of construction documents at all levels of design, including drawings, specifications, and contracts.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple high-value concurrent projects while maintaining team cohesion and deliverable quality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Word.
• Excellent communicator across all levels, from trade partners to executive leadership and clients.
• Willingness to travel up to 35% based on business needs.

Nice to Have

• Data center or mission-critical facility experience strongly preferred.

Why this role matters

As Nscale continues to scale its hyperscale and mission-critical data center footprint across North America, this role directly shapes the capital decisions and cost discipline behind that growth. You'll be a driving force in ensuring every project is estimated accurately, resourced responsibly, and delivered with the rigor our investors and customers expect.

Benefits

• Highly competitive package (base + equity) with reviews every 12 months.
• Opportunity to join the fastest-growing tech startup, collaborate with brilliant minds, and make an impact on cutting-edge AI.
• Dynamic progression plan tailored to your ambitions, with support for growth through new challenges and leadership opportunities.
• Human-First Flexibility: Autonomy to shape your day around life's moments, with a workplace that trusts you to deliver.

Pay

Salary Range: $170,000—$270,000 USD. Actual compensation may vary based on job-related factors such as skill set, experience, education, and location. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for bonus, equity, and/or commission programs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexible paid time off.
• Parental leave.
• Retirement plan participation.