Director of Preconstruction

Overview

Role: Director of Preconstruction - Data Centers/Mission Critical

Location: Dallas, TX (with some travel)

Salary Range: $225,000 base + excellent compensation package

A top #10 ENR general contractor is seeking a Director of Preconstruction to lead the preconstruction efforts for large-scale, mission-critical projects, primarily data centers. This is a key leadership role, reporting to the VP of Preconstruction and Regional President. In the next 2-5 years, the VP role will be next in line. This opportunity involves spearheading strategic pursuit and meticulous preconstruction management of projects ranging from $500m to $2bn across the United States. The ideal candidate will drive the preconstruction lifecycle from initial engagement through design development, comprehensive estimating, value engineering, and rigorous constructability reviews, culminating in a seamless handover to the construction teams. Our client is looking for someone with a profound grasp of mission-critical developments, an outstanding ability to cultivate client relationships (Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta etc), and a consistent history of securing and overseeing significant projects.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Pursuit & Business Development
  • Proactively identify and pursue new opportunities within the mission-critical sector, specifically data centers.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key clients, design professionals, and consultants in the mission-critical space.
  • Lead the creation of compelling proposals, presentations, and qualification packages to secure new business.
  • Represent the company at industry events and networking functions to expand our reach and stay abreast of market trends.
  • Collaborate closely with executive leadership to formulate and execute strategic growth initiatives.
• Direct and oversee the entire preconstruction process for assigned projects, ensuring strict adherence to schedules and budgets.
• Develop comprehensive project scopes, detailed budgets, and critical path schedules during the preconstruction phase.
• Supervise the estimating function, guaranteeing the precision and completeness of all cost projections.
• Conduct in-depth constructability reviews to pinpoint potential risks and unlock opportunities for optimization.
• Champion value engineering initiatives to maximize project value while upholding functional requirements.
• Manage the selection and engagement of design consultants and specialized subcontractors.
• Facilitate seamless communication and collaboration among all project stakeholders, including clients, design teams, and internal departments.
• Prepare and deliver insightful preconstruction reports and presentations to both internal leadership and clients.
• Ensure an efficient and thorough transition of project information and documentation to the construction team post-award.
• Mentor and guide developing preconstruction team members, fostering their professional growth.
• Remain at the forefront of industry best practices, emerging technologies, and relevant regulations within mission-critical construction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred, but not strictly essential if experience is significant.
• A minimum of 15-20 years of progressive experience in preconstruction management, with a substantial emphasis on mission-critical and industrial projects, particularly data centers.
• A demonstrated history of successfully leading the pursuit and preconstruction phases for large-scale projects (exceeding $500m).
• Excellent understanding of data center design, construction methodologies, and critical infrastructure systems (e.g., power distribution, cooling systems, security protocols).
• An established network of contacts within the mission-critical construction industry.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging effectively with clients, design teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency with preconstruction software and tools (e.g., estimating platforms, scheduling software, BIM).
• Strong analytical and complex problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to undertake extensive travel across the U.S. as required.
• Proven leadership acumen, with the ability to inspire and influence project teams.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Pension plan
• Child care support
• Paid maternity leave
• Paid paternity leave
• Student loan assistance
• Tuition assistance
• Disability insurance

Job Details

• Seniority level: Director
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Business Development, Strategy/Planning, and Management
• Industries: Construction