The Utility Project Manager / Due Diligence serves as a critical lead within the PreConstruction Team on the West Coast, responsible for overseeing the team that is responsible for the comprehensive technical and legal vetting of all potential real estate assets. This role is tasked with the systematic identification of site constraints, regulatory hurdles, and infrastructure requirements for assets targeted for lease and subsequent tenant build-out.
The successful candidate will have experience working with West Coast Utility companies and ensure that the transition from site selection to construction commencement is seamless, financially transparent, and fully de-risked.
Core Responsibilities
Technical Asset Evaluation & Feasibility
- Site Analysis: Execute rigorous physical due diligence, including the evaluation of structural integrity, MEP system capacities, and site-specific utility infrastructure.
- Feasibility Reporting: Synthesize complex technical data into concise "Go/No-Go" feasibility reports for a range of stakeholders, highlighting potential cost-drivers or schedule-impactors.
- Build-out Compatibility: Assess the alignment between "as-is" site conditions and the technical requirements of the client’s prototype or specific use-case.
Regulatory & Entitlement Oversight
- Jurisdictional Review: Navigate complex municipal zoning ordinances, land-use restrictions, and local building codes to confirm the viability of intended operations.
- Permit Strategy: Identify required discretionary approvals (e.g., variances, conditional use permits) and establish critical path timelines for procurement.
- Environmental & Legal Compliance: Oversee the procurement and critical review of ALTA surveys, Title Commitments, and Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments (ESA).
Lease Integration & Work Letter Negotiation
- Linguistic Precision: Collaborate with Real Estate and Transaction Management to define the Landlord’s Work and Tenant’s Work within the Lease Work Letter, ensuring technical specifications are enforceable and accurate.
- Financial Safeguards: Review Tenant Improvement (TI) allowance requests against verified site conditions to prevent capital expenditure overages.
Strategic Vendor Management
- Consultant Procurement: Manage a national or regional network of third-party consultants (Environmental, Geotechnical, Civil, and Structural).
- Quality Assurance: Audit consultant deliverables to ensure all reports meet the company's internal standards for depth and accuracy.
- SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.