Sr Pre-Construction Manager, GES NA, Design and Construction

About the role

As a Senior Preconstruction Manager within Global Engineering Services (GES) North America (NA) Design & Construction (D&C), you are Amazon's senior owner's representative during the preconstruction phase. You autonomously manage complex, cross-functional industrial building projects from site selection through design completion, permitting, and contract execution across your assigned region. This role requires 60% regional travel on a yearly basis. When not traveling, you must have availability to work from a corporate office. Candidates should either live near or be willing to relocate within a reasonable commuting distance of one of the corporate office locations listed. Relocation assistance may be provided.

Responsibilities

• Safety & Compliance
  • Own and enforce Amazon's safety programs and standards across all internal and external project teams during the planning and preconstruction phases; set the standard for safety culture on complex projects.
  • Lead coordination with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to ensure regulatory compliance, smooth permitting execution, and timely approvals.
  • Review noise, traffic, and environmental studies; understand and apply zoning, planning, fire code, and building code requirements for assigned projects.
  • Proactively identify and eliminate compliance risks before they become project roadblocks.
• Preconstruction & Project Management
  • Autonomously manage complex, cross-functional industrial preconstruction projects from site selection through design completion, permitting, and contract execution; contribute to significantly complex projects as part of a team.
  • Lead site selection and validation, scope development, and design management — overseeing design teams in developing site plans and composite floor plans in compliance with Amazon's design standards and operational requirements.
  • Oversee design management end-to-end, including design evaluations, design conformance reviews, and value engineering assessments.
  • Manage multiple concurrent large industrial projects across various locations simultaneously, leading a region or program with limited management oversight.
  • Keep scope under control and accelerate progress by driving crisp, timely decisions, identifying and clearing blockers, and managing escalations with excellent judgment.
  • Identify and resolve upstream issues proactively to support a clean handoff to the Construction Manager; remain a key support resource and authority on project issues for the construction team throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Monitor project performance metrics, anticipate roadblocks and risks, manage escalations, and ensure corrective actions are taken.
  • Resolve complex issues and find a path forward in difficult situations; make and defend trade-off decisions between short-term and long-term needs.
  • Assess project performance through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for safety, quality, cost, schedule, and sustainability; deliver solutions that meet standards for customer satisfaction, efficiency, stability, and operational excellence.
  • Maintain a broad perspective — understand how project components drive successful programs, business portfolios, and not just individual projects.
• Budget, Schedule & Contract Management
  • Own project budgets and oversee spend approvals across all assigned preconstruction projects.
  • Perform conceptual estimating and pricing reviews for scope inclusions and exclusions; lead negotiations on the cost of work with developers, general contractors, and design consultants.
  • Lead external partner selection, contract negotiations, and project procurement functions; ensure contracts are fit for purpose, cost-effective, and incorporate appropriate service level agreements.
  • Review and analyze design and construction contracts, related exhibits, and lease agreements; provide detailed analysis and approvals of technical matters and site-specific deal structures and terms.
  • Review additional reports including noise and traffic studies and environmental assessments.
  • Partner with the Transaction team and developers to optimize schedule and strategy for entitlements and long-lead procurement.
  • Identify and solve factors that may impede a successful permitted project handover to Amazon stakeholders; make trade-offs between short-term and long-term needs.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management
  • Work 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 builds, set priorities and milestones, and drive delivery to meet deadlines.
  • Drive results through communicating, weighing risks, making decisions, leading, and influencing; serve as an authority on project issues across diverse audiences.
  • Select external vendor partners and manage delivery from external service partners to drive delivery with efficient use of resources and technology.
  • Lead large cross-functional teams to complete preconstruction projects; skillfully motivate and focus people of all levels to deliver complex projects.
  • Drive significant communication across departments, from front-line to executive-level managers; achieve high-level alignment and consensus with internal and external stakeholders across diverse teams (legal, regulatory, operations, engineering, finance, external industry groups).
  • Act as the primary escalation point for project team members; own and track issues to ensure they are addressed, documented, and resolved.
  • Support crucial relationships and lead negotiations of agreements with customers, suppliers, and external partners.
  • Contribute to developing Amazon's internal and external construction networks.
• Communication & Reporting
  • Write effective narratives and present complex decisions, trade-offs, and potential solutions to Directors and VPs.
  • Translate technical documents and information into end-to-end stories providing detailed risk analysis for leaders and customers.
  • Communicate budgets, schedules, project status, and priorities clearly to internal teams and external partners.
  • Run preconstruction meetings effectively — putting the right people in the room, driving detailed discussions, and achieving high-level alignment and consensus.
  • Utilize Amazon's information systems to record and update schedule, budget, and other key project developments.
  • Represent Amazon's interests in weekly Architect, Owner, and Contractor (AOC) meetings; provide input on root causes and corrective actions.
• Process Improvement, Best Practices & People Development
  • Drive continuous improvement and create sustainable, repeatable processes and playbooks for the team and region.
  • Contribute to process improvement ideas; develop tools and procedures that improve project efficiency and delivery across the organization.
  • Drive efficiencies, streamline workflows, and mitigate excess process and risk.
  • Learn to force multiply — drive adoption of best practices and elevate the performance of teams and partners.
  • Recommend improvements to the way projects are scoped, permitted, and executed across the region or organization.
  • Guide preconstruction managers in best practices in stakeholder management and project delivery; frequently serve as an expert resource on complicated technical, jurisdictional, or regulatory issues.
  • Actively recruit, mentor, and develop other preconstruction managers within your organization and location.
  • Assist leadership in building internal and external talent networks.
  • Participate in the interview process and help train new team members.
  • Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as fundamentally right for all employees by fostering a culture where inclusion is the norm.
  • Insist on the highest standards from self and others; drive accountability for results.

A day in the life

Each day, you represent GES NA Design & Construction as Amazon's senior owner during the preconstruction phase — executing autonomously, leading with no authority, and influencing the best project decisions across your region. You are 60% tactical and 40% strategic, planning your projects with limited management oversight and frequently called upon as an expert resource. Your day may include:

• Leading design reviews and providing strategic direction to architects, engineers, and design consultants on complex projects.
• Negotiating contract terms with developers, general contractors, and consultants while driving adherence to schedules and budgets.
• Presenting project status, risks, and trade-off decisions to senior leadership (Directors and VPs).
• Coordinating with AHJ on permitting status, zoning, fire code, and building code requirements.
• Monitoring project performance metrics and driving corrective actions with external partners.
• Partnering with Real Estate and Transaction teams on entitlement strategy and long-lead procurement.
• Mentoring PCMs and contributing to team development and best practices.
• Developing or updating process playbooks based on lessons learned from current projects.
• Leveraging project management principles and analytics to identify, avoid, or correct issues before they become roadblocks.

About the team

At Amazon, the GES North America Design & Construction team is a diverse group of engineers, construction managers, and preconstruction professionals who deliver the physical infrastructure behind Amazon's logistics network. We are employee owners who take pride in delivering high-quality, innovative facilities — on time and on budget — for our internal customers and the communities we serve. We are committed to being Earth's best employer and to building a more sustainable future through every project we deliver.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience as an Architect, Engineer, Construction Manager, Development Manager, Owner's Project Management Representative, or in a related commercial development or construction discipline.
• 7+ years of project management experience from design phase through implementation and operation, including negotiating construction, procurement, and labor contracts.
• Experience within packaging, processing, or logistical facilities.