Pre-Construction Project Manager

About the role

Cl nera is a tier-one developer and independent power producer located in Boise, Idaho, and is the U.S. subsidiary of Enlight Renewable Energy (Nasdaq: ENLT). We develop, finance, construct, own, and operate utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities throughout the United States.

In its 2025 analysis of solar independent power producers, S&P Global ranked Cl nera as a top ten U.S. owner of planned installations in the next five years. Cl nera has over 1.9 GW of solar and 5.1 GWh of storage in operations or construction, and a development pipeline totaling 17.8 GW of solar and 51.1 GWh of storage across 23 states.

Our company culture is at the core of everything we do, so you'll regularly find Caring, Committed, and Courageous individuals who value respectful, cross-functional collaboration with partners internally and externally. With our tremendous portfolio growth, we are increasing our headcount to meet the demands of the business. Are you ready to change the world with us?

About the Role

The Pre-Construction Project Manager independently leads pre-construction efforts for multiple assigned projects, owning the development of scope, budget, schedule, procurement strategy, and risk mitigation plans. You will focus on ensuring pre-construction deliverables are accurate, organized, and aligned with project requirements while developing judgment in cost, schedule, and risk evaluation.

This role partners closely with Development, Engineering, Estimating, and Construction teams to ensure projects are construction ready and aligned with business objectives. The Pre-Construction PM plays a critical role in protecting cost, schedule, and execution certainty before mobilization.

What You'll Do

• Lead overall set up of utility-scale projects for handoff to Construction.
• Lead design coordination by reviewing deliverables for scope, constructability, and compliance, monitoring design progress, and identifying gaps or risks that could impact cost or schedule.
• Own pre-construction budgeting and estimating activities by validating assumptions, reconciling contractor and vendor pricing, identifying cost risks, and supporting value engineering opportunities.
• Develop and refine pre-construction and baseline construction schedules by identifying critical path activities, long lead procurement risks, and sequencing constraints requiring early mitigation.
• Facilitate constructability, risk, and execution planning reviews by coordinating cross-functional input from engineering, construction, development, operations, and external partners.
• Identify and mitigate project risks during project planning phase to address scope-gap and efficient execution of the projects following turnover to the Construction team.
• Lead procurement planning efforts by developing long-lead material strategies, supporting early release packages, and coordinating vendor and contractor engagement to support schedule certainty.
• Manage contractor and consultant bid processes by coordinating bid issuance, leading bid leveling efforts, and preparing clear recommendation packages that communicate cost, scope, and risk tradeoffs.
• Maintain and govern pre-construction controls and documentation, including estimates, schedules, risk registers, design logs, and decision records, ensuring consistency and traceability.
• Coordinate permitting and regulatory readiness by tracking approval requirements, coordinating discussions and documentation, identifying jurisdictional risks, and supporting mitigation strategies to protect project schedule.
• Lead pre-construction to construction handoff activities by summarizing key assumptions, risks, procurement strategies, and schedule drivers to ensure a smooth and informed transition to execution teams.
• Serve as Cl nera point of contact (POC) for external customers including contractors, utilities, service providers, etc.
• Collaborate with individual department, as well as cross-functionally with other departments within the organization.
• Maintain organizational excellence in terms of project timelines and deliverables.
• Demonstrates the Cl nera Core Values of Caring, Committed, and Courageous.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, business, public administration, or related field.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in construction management, construction project management or related field, and;
• Minimum of 3 years managing the pre-construction activities of utility-scale renewable projects.
• Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Procore, P6, and an ability to learn company-specific software programs, tools, processes, and machines.
• Skills/Attributes:
• Demonstrated experience assessing, understanding the potential cost and schedule impacts to the project, and reporting project risks to executive level leadership.
• Lead site visits and coordinate appropriate stakeholders to assist with site investigations for project acquisitions.
• Plays a significant role in negotiating the EPC Agreements and the unique requirements associated with each individual project.
• Mindfully applies foundational project management principles throughout the project lifecycle, including proactively finding ways to improve cost and schedule while maintaining scope.
• Drives the pre-construction deliverables within our agreements (PPA, LGIA, ESA), permits, and financial agreements with the banks.
• Ability to lead and mentor team members, internally and externally, by guiding the team towards shared goals with clear direction, support, and motivation.
• Proven ability to build, navigate, and manage complex interpersonal relationships and conflicts, fostering collaborative relationships internally and externally.
• Self-motivated to work through complex problems and competing priorities, including a high level of detail and organization.
• Be the main POC for internal & external stakeholders for Pre-Construction activities
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Travel: 25%

Benefits

• Cl nera pays 100% of employee and dependent premiums for a suite of medical, dental, and vision coverages.
• Hybrid Work Environment
• HSA and FSA Plans Available
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary, and AD&D
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Public Holidays)
• Incentive Pay and RSU Plans

*Recruiting agencies, we are not currently accepting unsolicited referrals for this or any open role. We will not pay any fee associated with unsolicited referrals.