Director of Preconstruction

Job Description

GridStor is a rapidly growing, grid-scale energy storage developer, owner and operator backed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management ("GSAM") and led by experienced clean energy industry professionals. We acquire and develop battery storage projects in markets across North America. GridStor's mission is to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free, resilient grid by rapidly deploying stand-alone energy storage at scale.

GridStor is based in Portland, Oregon, and offers competitive compensation and a wide selection of benefits including unlimited paid time off. Read more about life at GridStor at: https://gridstor.com/careers/

Role Summary

GridStor is looking for an experienced Director of Preconstruction to join our growing team. This role will report to the Senior Vice President of EPC and is responsible for EPC functions from project origination to NTP for our utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) portfolio across the United States. The Director of Preconstruction will serve as the primary technical and commercial strategist during early, mid, and advanced stages of projects (prior to Construction stage), working hand-in-hand with the Development and M&A teams to de-risk assets, validate costs, and ensure projects are "shovel-ready" for the construction team.

Key Responsibilities

• Development & M&A Support: Provide due diligence and cost-modeling for early-stage development projects and potential M&A acquisitions. Assess site feasibility and technology selection to support investment committee decisions. Where needed, provide initial due diligence and cost-modeling for M&A projects that are in-construction or operational stage.
• Early-Stage Engineering: Manage internal and external engineering resources to produce 10-30% design packages. Oversee site layouts, single-line diagrams, and technical specifications for utility-scale BESS facilities.
• Budget & Estimating: Manage and prepare capex and opex (total cost of ownership) models related to EPC and operations scope. You will be responsible for industry best practices for estimates, ensuring cost certainty as projects move toward final investment decision.
• Scheduling: Work with development and M&A project managers to create and manage integrated project schedules; accounting for major equipment lead times, engineering timelines, construction timelines, market specific commissioning timelines, and construction permitting milestones; with understanding of interconnection timelines, financing milestones, and development milestones.
• EPC Procurement & Contracting: Lead the selection process for EPC contractors. Negotiate commercial terms, scopes of work, and exhibits for balance of plant and high voltage EPC contracts.
• Long-lead procurement: Identify and manage the procurement of long-lead equipment (e.g. battery, inverters, transformers, breakers) to support project COD dates while mitigating supply chain constraints.

Handover Management

Ensure a seamless transition from the preconstruction stages (early, mid, advanced), including M&A projects, to the Construction project team; providing all necessary documentation, risk registers, and budget clarity.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Education: Bachelor's or advanced degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• Experience: 8+ years of experience in construction management or preconstruction, with at least 5 years specifically focused on utility-scale battery energy storage projects.
• Deep understanding of BESS technology and EPC constructability (high voltage substation and transmission lines, civil design, fire safety).
• Commercial Acumen: Proven track record in negotiating multi-million-dollar EPC contracts and managing complex procurement strategies.
• Location & Availability: Preference to be based in Portland, available to work a hybrid schedule.
• Software Proficiency: Advanced skills in Procore, Microsoft Project or Primavera, AutoCAD/Bluebeam, Microsoft Office.
• Organizational Skills: Exceptional organizational abilities with keen attention to detail. Capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment and seeing delegated projects through to completion.
• Adaptability: Ability to be agile and flexible, readily taking on tasks outside the typical scope of the role as needed.
• Confidentiality: Proven ability to handle highly confidential information with utmost discretion.
• Integrity & Judgment: Strong track record of excellent judgment and integrity in previous roles.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to translate complex technical risks into financial, safety, and reputational impacts for non-technical stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving: Adaptable, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively and approach challenges with a creative, proactive mindset.
• Team Orientation: Highly motivated to support and collaborate with team members, contributing to collective success.

Compensation and Benefits

• GridStor offers an attractive Total Rewards package, including:
  • Competitive base salaries commensurate with experience with an annual cash bonus (based on Company and individual performance).
  • Generous paid leave.
  • Employee participation in Long Term Incentive Plan.
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, including coverage for domestic partners and eligible domestic partner children.
  • HSA/FSA for participating employees.
  • 401(k) plan with company match and immediate vesting.
  • Continuing education and professional development.
  • Cellphone reimbursement, hybrid work environment, healthy snacks, volunteer opportunities, company outings, and more.

Company Operating Principles

GridStor's Operating Principles represent who we are, how we work, and what we believe.

We Collaborate. We believe trust is given, not earned. We honor each other's zone of genius and seek to challenge ideas, not each other. We listen to each other's points of view and work hard to find the better solution. We are one team.

We Are Humble. We like hard work, but don't make work hard. We know we have a lot to learn and never grandstand or take up all the space in the room. We are kind. We are welcoming. We are inspired by our mission to decarbonize the grid.

We Create the Future. We are curious. We go deep, search for the best idea, and then move fast. We always focus on the few things that matter most. We know there will be setbacks, so we show up every day ready to learn and be better, together.

We Show Up for Each Other. We keep each other fully informed. We seek to understand. We coach, we don't blame. We share our points of view and seek to make each other better every day. We believe everyone creates culture in every moment, every day.

We Do Hard Things. We view challenges as opportunities. We are resilient. We are all owners, and we act like it. We understand change requires taking risks and we push ourselves and our partners. We do what is right as opposed to what might be best for any one of us.