Director of Preconstruction

Role: Director of Preconstruction - Data Centers/Mission Critical

Location: Dallas, TX (with some travel)

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

Overview

A top #10 ENR general contractor is seeking a Director of Preconstruction to take the helm of their preconstruction efforts for large-scale, mission-critical projects, primarily focusing on data centers. This is a key leadership role, situated in Dallas, TX and reports to both 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 the 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 developing, an outstanding ability to cultivate client relationships (Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta etc), and a consistent history of securing and overseeing significant projects.

Key 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.

Preconstruction Leadership & Management

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.

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