Preconstruction Director

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for mission critical, industrial, life sciences, power & energy, aviation, commercial, institutional, residential and sports & entertainment related building projects.

The Role We Want You For

As a Preconstruction Director, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing and coordinating the preparation and management of projects within the Preconstruction Department. You will lead and support both internal teams and external partners through competitive bid efforts for CM and Design-Build project delivery formats, guiding projects from conceptual design to completed construction documents. Your expertise in design management, value-based scoping, risk assessment, and reliable pricing will be crucial in driving project success.

The Specifics of the Role

• Strategic Project Pursuit: Collaborate with Business Unit Leaders (Institutional, Industrial, Residential/Hospitality, Commercial) and Project Executives to identify and evaluate potential projects for pursuit.
• Proposal Leadership: Direct the team in preparing comprehensive and accurate proposals, ensuring alignment with project requirements and client expectations.
• Estimating Expertise: Develop detailed conceptual estimates and scope of work for each trade, ensuring thorough review with subcontractors.
• Subcontractor Management: Oversee the subcontractor selection process, including the preparation and review of scopes, to secure reliable and competitive pricing.
• Client Engagement: Prepare and present final estimates to clients and owners, effectively communicating project value and key details.
• Project Review: Evaluate construction schedules and documents for value engineering opportunities, preparing, and pricing value engineering items as needed.
• Mentorship and Training: Train and mentor junior estimating staff, fostering their professional growth and ensuring high standards of estimating practice.
• Data and Documentation Management: Maintain and develop master subcontractor/vendor lists by trade, manage historical data for unit pricing, and develop general conditions for review with project management.
• Contract Support: Assist project managers with contract negotiations, change orders, and other project-related activities to ensure successful project execution.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Experience: 15+ years of experience in estimating for commercial construction, with a proven track record in leading project pursuits across multiple market sectors, including Commercial, Industrial, Healthcare, Institutional, and Residential.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of building construction, materials, systems, market conditions, and trade practices. Familiarity with estimating and quantity takeoff software.
• Software Proficiency: Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Demonstrated experience in leading Preconstruction meetings and supervising junior staff.

Some Things You Should Know

• Our clients and projects are nationwide - Travel will be required.
• No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
• The pace is fast!

Why Clayco?

• 2025 Best Places to Work - St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2025 ENR Top 400 - Top Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms - Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors - Green Contractor (Top 3).

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.