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

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 — responsible for autonomously managing complex, cross-functional industrial building projects from site selection through design completion, permitting, and contract execution across your assigned region. Preconstruction services refers to the planning of a construction project before actual construction begins.

You will partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure scope, budget, and schedule definition are established, including timely receipt of building and site permits. You are responsible as the senior project manager to lead planning, design, and preconstruction projects — including new built-to-suit industrial buildings, tenant improvements, extensions of existing facilities, and renovation projects — serving major business customers within your region.

You execute deliverables with limited oversight, using advanced professional concepts to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways. You deliver a mix of tactical and strategic initiatives (60% tactical / 40% strategic) that impact multiple teams and/or geographies in support of significant business objectives. You own project budgets, oversee design management, select external vendor partners, and lead project procurement — and you are accountable for the full performance of your external project teams. You show excellent judgment when driving project escalations and make difficult trade-off decisions between short-term and long-term needs, defending those decisions to internal stakeholders.

Beyond project delivery, you guide preconstruction managers in best practices in stakeholder management and project delivery, contribute to developing Amazon's internal and external construction networks, and are learning to force multiply — elevating the performance of the teams and partners around you. You write effective narratives and present complex decisions and trade-offs to Directors and VPs. You actively recruit, mentor, and develop other preconstruction managers.

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.

Key job 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.

Basic qualifications

- 7+ years of project management, real estate development, architecture/design experience
- 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 with complex equipment, or comparable experience
- Position includes travel up to 60% (Nationwide). Travel involves air travel to regional airports and driving to site locations. A valid driver's license is required due to project assignments in areas with limited public transportation and rideshare options.

Preferred qualifications

- Advanced degree or certification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or Business Administration
- Experience operating across at least two disciplines within the construction industry (e.g., General Contracting, Owner's Representation, Commercial Development, Engineering & Design, or Owner's Project Management)
- Demonstrated capability in planning, design review, implementation, and project management/control of new structures and enhancement of existing facilities
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary design incorporating industrial automation, robotics, or similar
- Strong influencing and negotiating skills; demonstrated ability to lead with no authority and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups
- Demonstrated success communicating complex decisions and trade-offs to senior leadership (Director/VP level)
- Experience developing and implementing preconstruction processes, playbooks, or best practice frameworks
- Experience mentoring and developing junior preconstruction professionals
- Knowledge of Building Information Modeling (BIM)
- CMIT/CMAA or PMP certification or equivalent

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, CA, San Francisco - 103,800.00 - 181,600.00 USD annually
USA, MA, Boston - 90,300.00 - 158,000.00 USD annually
USA, NY, New York - 103,800.00 - 181,600.00 USD annually
USA, TN, Nashville - 81,200.00 - 142,200.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 90,300.00 - 158,000.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Houston - 90,300.00 - 158,000.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Irving - 90,300.00 - 158,000.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 90,300.00 - 158,000.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Bellevue - 90,300.00 - 158,000.00 USD annually