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About Francis Energy:

Francis Energy is a pioneer in the EV (Electric Vehicle) charging industry, having established the nation’s first comprehensive statewide electric vehicle fast-charging network and has since expanded the nation's largest privately held universal fast charging network by installing more than 850 fast charging ports throughout the Country. Our mission is to transform the electrification of transportation by ensuring equitable, affordable, reliable, and safe access to public charging stations across America, leaving no community behind. Francis Energy is expanding rapidly throughout the continental U.S., supporting this expansion through a combination of federal grant funding and private partnerships. We are looking for a highly motivated individual who seeks a significant opportunity to join our team and shares our belief in the transformative potential of clean energy to mitigate climate change.


Position Summary: 

The Director of Pre-Construction serves as a strategic leader responsible for managing and directing the design and pre-construction functions that power Francis Energy’s national EV fast-charging deployment program. This role oversees a team of Design Managers, each responsible for a portfolio of 20–40 active projects, ensuring design consistency, operational excellence, and alignment with project timelines and funding requirements.


Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, this position leads all design initiatives from concept through permit approval - coordinating with internal stakeholders, third-party engineering partners, and external agencies to deliver compliant, build-ready plans. The ideal candidate combines strong technical acumen, project management discipline, and team leadership expertise to drive efficiency, accuracy, and innovation across all pre-construction activities.


Leadership & Oversight:

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Design Managers and design support staff overseeing 20–40 projects per manager.
  • Establish clear project ownership, workload distribution, and delivery expectations to ensure high-quality, on-time completion.
  • Define and implement department standards, templates, and workflows to maintain design uniformity and compliance across markets.
  • Serve as the primary escalation point for design and pre-construction issues, ensuring swift resolution and cross-departmental alignment.
  • Develop and maintain an ever-growing organizational structure, working closely with the HR department.


Strategic & Technical Execution

  • Oversee all aspects of project planning, design, and permitting coordination for awarded EV charging sites.
  • Direct engagement with third-party engineering firms, ensuring delivery of stamped, compliant construction documents that meet federal, state, and NEVI funding requirements.
  • Ensure design deliverables align with construction needs, utility requirements, and program budgets.
  • Partner closely with Commercial, Real Estate, and Construction teams to transition projects seamlessly from award through build-ready status.
  • Review and approve technical design packages, ensuring quality, accuracy, and feasibility.
  • Develop and maintain design standards for various projects


Process Management & Compliance:

  • Manage and streamline permitting, zoning, and utility coordination processes to reduce cycle times and enhance efficiency.
  • Develop and monitor KPIs for team performance, project throughput, and pre-construction milestones.
  • Maintain deep understanding of evolving NEVI and federal/state compliance requirements to ensure all projects meet funding eligibility and audit standards.
  • Provide executive-level reporting on design progress, risk mitigation, and permitting pipelines.


Collaboration & Continuous Improvement:

  • Build strong relationships with utility partners, AHJs, and third-party engineering firms to accelerate project approvals.
  • Identify process improvement opportunities to enhance scalability and accuracy in multi-state deployment.
  • Champion Francis Energy’s mission to deliver equitable, reliable EV infrastructure while modeling company values and culture.


Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or related field (Master’s preferred).
  • 6+ years of experience in commercial land development, engineering design, or pre-construction - preferably in infrastructure or EV charging deployment.
  • Proven success managing high-volume, multi-state design or development programs.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience managing design or engineering teams.
  • Strong understanding of permitting, zoning, and utility coordination processes.
  • Proficiency in design review tools (AutoCAD, Bluebeam, or similar) and familiarity with project tracking systems (Smartsheet, Site Tracker, Procore, Microsoft Project Primavera).
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills with a results-driven, team-oriented mindset.


Benefits:

Francis Energy values its people and offers a full range of benefits, including the following:

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) Matching
  • Medical Insurance (50% employer paid for employee)
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance ($25,000 employer paid for employee only)
  • FSA
  • PTO
  • Short Term Disability (100% paid by employer)
  • Long Term Disability
  • TeleDoc (100% paid by employer)
  • Onsite Gym Membership (100% paid by employer)


OUR MISSION

To transform the electrification of transportation by ensuring equitable, affordable, reliable, and safe access to public charging stations across America, leaving no community behind.


OUR VALUES

WE ARE PIONEERS. We seek the big problems to solve. We innovate, adapt, and improve. We are nimble and resilient. We strive to accomplish what others have not yet done before.


WE ARE BOLD. We are never content with the status quo. We ask tough questions, proactively seek feedback, and communicate openly. We take risks, overcome challenges, make decisions, and move forward.


WE WIN AS A TEAM. We are personally accountable for our collective success. We seek to create an inclusive environment that elevates all voices and perspectives, and where people engage with respect and concern for each other. We know that together, we can change the world.


WE LEAD WITH INTEGRITY. We build trust through responsible actions and honest relationships. We are trustworthy and act in good faith. We do the right thing.


WE DELIVER. We focus on our actions and are accountable for our outcomes. We set ambitious goals and work tirelessly to exceed them. We learn from our mistakes and better ourselves along the way. We celebrate our success.


WE LOVE WHAT WE DO. We believe in the transformative potential of clean energy to mitigate climate change.


AAP/EEO Statement:

Francis Energy is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Francis Energy are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, creed, religion or belief, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Francis Energy will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.