Director of Preconstruction: Strategy, Leadership & Growth

Director of Preconstruction

Phoenix, AZ

$165,000-$200,000 Base Salary + Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) + Benefits

Win the work. Shape the strategy. Build what's next.

Preconstruction leaders play a critical role in transforming opportunities into successful projects. By aligning estimating, design collaboration, constructability, and customer relationships, they position projects and teams for success long before construction begins.

At RK Mechanical, you'll lead the preconstruction strategy behind complex commercial, industrial, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, mission-critical, and data center projects. Working closely with executive leadership, operations teams, customers, designers, and trade partners, you'll guide pursuits from concept through contract award while helping shape the future growth of the organization.

This is an opportunity to influence major project decisions, strengthen customer partnerships, develop high-performing teams, and drive the success of one of the region's leading self-perform mechanical contractors.

What You'll Do

• Lead budgeting, estimating, design development, and project pursuit activities.
• Partner with operations, engineering, customers, and project stakeholders to develop winning project strategies.
• Oversee conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction document estimates.
• Track project scope, budget, trends, and design changes throughout preconstruction.
• Lead contract scope reviews, value engineering, constructability reviews, and risk assessments.
• Support Design-Build and Design-Assist projects in collaboration with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, and trade partners.
• Ensure estimates, proposals, and preconstruction deliverables accurately reflect project requirements and execution strategies.
• Support business development efforts and help strengthen long-term customer relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement of estimating processes, tools, and best practices.
• Provide executive reporting on pursuits, market trends, department performance, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop team members, manage departmental budgets, establish goals, and support long-term business planning.
• Provide constructability guidance and budget certainty as projects transition into construction.

What You Bring

• 10+ years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, engineering, construction operations, or related leadership roles.
• Experience leading large-scale preconstruction efforts within mechanical construction, industrial, commercial, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, mission-critical, or data center environments.
• Proven success leading teams and driving organizational performance.
• Strong understanding of estimating, budgeting, conceptual design, value engineering, constructability reviews, and project delivery methods.
• Experience collaborating with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, and construction teams throughout the design process.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate drawings, specifications, scopes, and contract requirements.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Why Build Your Career at RK

Influence major projects. Help shape the strategy behind high-profile construction projects across multiple industries.

Drive business growth. Play a key role in project acquisition, customer engagement, and organizational success.

Build lasting partnerships. Collaborate with executive leaders, customers, designers, and industry partners.

Develop what's next. Mentor future preconstruction leaders while continuing your own professional growth.

Build for the long term. Join a second-generation, family-owned company that combines the stability of an established builder with the growth opportunities of an industry leader.

Minimum Physical Requirements

• Work indoors and outdoors, including active construction, fabrication, and industrial environments.
• Occasionally visit jobsites, fabrication facilities, customer locations, and construction sites.
• Work at heights, in confined spaces, and in other challenging jobsite conditions as needed.
• Climb, balance, squat, kneel, crouch, and navigate uneven terrain when visiting project sites.
• Work in varying weather conditions when required.
• Maintain working knowledge of construction materials, tools, and building systems.
• Ability to lift, move, and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Your Benefits

• Paid Time Off plus 6 paid holidays
• Health Insurance with a $100 wellness incentive
• 401(k) with company match
• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)

If you're ready to lead strategic pursuits, shape major project opportunities, and help drive the future of mechanical construction, we'd like to talk.

Win opportunities. Shape strategy. Build the future with RK.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.