Pre-Development Program Manager

Who We Are:

It's exciting to find yourself standing in a pivotal moment in time. It’s even more exciting to be out front leading it. At QTS, our world-class data centers are supporting our customers most strategic growth initiatives, positioning us at the forefront of today’s dynamic digital transformation.

As AI and cloud drive the demand for increased speed, capacity and capability, QTS has emerged as the global digital infrastructure leader, committed to connecting the world for good. Driven by purpose and fueled by a spirit of innovation, QTS designs, builds and operates some of the world’s most advanced, forward-thinking data centers. QTS is a portfolio company of Blackstone. 

QTS is Powered by People. People who play a vital role in our company’s culture, innovation and growth. People who are committed to contributing to the communities where we operate and work. People who are knowledgeable, resourceful and mission driven. Together, we do great things.

Who You Are:

The Pre-Development Program Manager is primarily responsible for leading and managing the design, pre-construction and construction activities on a given project. The Program Manager will interact on a daily basis with Facilities, Contractors, Designers, Engineers, Commissioning Agents, Vendors, and Data Center Operations staff and should have both written and oral communication skills commensurate with this level of regular communication.

What You Will Do:

• Oversee multiple projects on a campus(es) and maintain updated budgets, schedules, and status reports for each

• Create and communicate updates on development program & project status on a monthly basis suitable for executive level reviews. Effectively present information in a manner to support efficient decision making

• Work with QTS stakeholders, design, and construction teams to create a master development program for site(s), including a complete campus design solution and capital budget.

• Manage entitlement and permitting needs for each assigned site project(s)

• Implement and manage multi-phased site development plans to achieve time, budget, and quality standards in a predictable fashion. Continuously update a campus master plan to provide predictable statistics in a dynamic environment

• Write scopes of work for design, construction, commissioning services & participate in procurement and project cost estimates

• Evaluate and level pricing proposals for design, construction, and commissioning services

• Work closely with strategic procurement team on equipment procurement and delivery process

• Ensure appropriate submittals are coordinated with site stakeholders

• Monitor & create project budget/cost-to-date against overall project budget.

• Establish project schedules and manage teams to on-time completion

• Review change order requests from contractors and negotiate pricing

• Establish site construction security procedures in conjunction with site security team

• Develop plans for product deployment and review/communicate plans with QTS staff involved

• Collaborate with Sales Engineers and Product teams to aid in custom deal solutioning for prospective clients within the applicable schedule and budget for an assigned location.

• Establish and maintain relationships serving as liaison with key QTS stakeholders

• Represent QTS interests as leader in OAC meetings

• Create & build relationships that enhance QTS's ability to be a leader in creating the World's Most Valuable Data Center Real Estate

• Aid in due diligence efforts for potential new sites on an as-needed basis

• Work with the internal development team to enhance project management processes and protocols

• Other duties may be assigned. 

What You Will Need to be Successful:

• 6 or more years of professional experience in commercial real estate development practices and procedures, including management of Construction Management and Design Build project delivery methods from land acquisition through project close out

• Advanced knowledge with Microsoft Office suite, specifically PowerPoint for use in communicating program updates to executive level, and Excel to create and maintain site program & individual project budgets

• Be able to travel up to 50% of the time

Nice To Have:

• MBA, Masters in Engineering, Management, or related field desirable

• Experience with delivery of mission critical data center facilities

• Extensive experience with management of MEP trades

Knowledge Skill and Abilities You Will Need:

• Construction & Engineering Principles – Understanding of commercial construction practices, including design-build, lump sum, and construction management at risk (CMAR) project delivery methods.

• Data Center Infrastructure – Knowledge of mission-critical facility design, including power, cooling, and network infrastructure.

• Project Management Methodologies – Advanced knowledge of project lifecycle phases, risk management, scheduling, and cost control.

• Real Estate Development & Entitlement – Advanced knowledge of land development, permitting, and entitlement processes.

• Procurement & Contract Management – Experience in writing scopes of work, evaluating bids, and negotiating contracts with vendors, contractors, and commissioning agents.

• Financial Acumen – Ability to develop and manage capital budgets, forecast costs, and evaluate financial impacts of project decisions.

• Regulatory & Compliance Standards – Awareness of local, state, and federal regulations affecting construction and data center operations.

• Project Coordination & Execution – Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects while ensuring adherence to budgets, schedules, and quality standards.

• Communication & Presentation – Strong written and verbal communication skills to interact with executive leadership, technical teams, and external partners.

• Stakeholder Engagement – Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including internal departments, contractors, and clients.

• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making – Capability to analyze complex challenges and implement effective solutions in a dynamic environment.

• Technical Proficiency – Competence in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) for budgeting, scheduling, and reporting.

• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution – Ability to review change orders, negotiate pricing, and mediate conflicts between project stakeholders.

• Leadership & Team Management – Ability to lead cross-disciplinary teams, coordinate efforts, and ensure alignment with corporate goals.

• Strategic Planning – Develop and execute multi-phased site development plans that align with business objectives.

• Adaptability & Resilience – Operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment while managing shifting priorities.

• Attention to Detail – Ensure accuracy in project budgets, contracts, and compliance documentation.

• Time Management – Efficiently prioritize tasks to meet project deadlines and operational goals.

• Customer-Centric Thinking – Understand client requirements and collaborate on solutions that meet both business and operational needs.

• Travel & On-Site Supervision – Ability to travel up to 50% and oversee construction activities at various locations.

TOTAL REWARDS 

This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits. This role is bonus eligible and may be eligible for equity.

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action.  We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings.  We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.

The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:

Know Your Rights (English)

Know Your Rights (Spanish)

The pay transparency policy is available here:

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted

QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.