Summary:

The Director of Preconstruction will lead and formalize Sevan's preconstruction and design-build management function, overseeing estimating operations, preconstruction strategy, procurement planning, and pursuit execution for national ground-up commercial and government construction projects.

This role is responsible for building and leading a high-performing preconstruction organization that supports business development, operations, and client teams through all phases of project planning prior to construction start. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in commercial and government construction, design-build delivery, conceptual estimating, and strategic preconstruction leadership.

The Director of Preconstruction will serve as a key partner to executive leadership, clients, architects/engineers, and operations teams to ensure projects are properly planned, budgeted, phased, and positioned for successful execution.

This position is based out of our Plano, TX office, with a hybrid schedule. National travel is required on an as-needed basis, approximately 30%.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a scalable preconstruction organization, including estimating, procurement, and preconstruction personnel supporting commercial and government construction projects nationwide.
• Establish and standardize preconstruction processes, tools, reporting, and design-build best practices across the organization.
• Oversee the full pursuit lifecycle including Go/No-Go evaluations, pre-bid strategy, design review, conceptual budgeting, bid packaging, proposal development, and final submissions for RFPs, RFQs, and negotiated pursuits.
• Lead preparation and review of conceptual, schematic, design development, and GMP estimates for ground-up commercial and government projects.
• Partner with clients, architects, engineers, consultants, and operations teams during design phases to provide constructability input, value engineering recommendations, phasing strategies, logistics planning, and cost guidance.
• Drive design-build and collaborative delivery efforts by integrating cost, schedule, procurement, and operational considerations into the preconstruction process.
• Oversee subcontractor and vendor solicitation, bid leveling, scope analysis, procurement strategy, and buyout planning while building strong trade partner relationships nationwide.
• Lead contract development, negotiation, and procurement planning aligned with project budgets, schedules, and operational objectives.
• Develop and implement cost risk management strategies, market analysis processes, benchmarking tools, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve pricing accuracy and profitability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with executive leadership, business development, operations, and project teams to ensure successful project transitions from preconstruction into execution.
• Mentor and develop estimating and preconstruction staff, helping evolve junior estimators into broader preconstruction professionals.
• Support implementation and optimization of project controls, PMIS systems, dashboards, and reporting tools to improve visibility into project cost, schedule, forecasting, and performance metrics.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, and/or design-build management within commercial construction environments.
• Strong experience leading preconstruction efforts for ground-up commercial, retail, federal, municipal, and/or government construction projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing conceptual estimating, design-phase budgeting, constructability reviews, and collaborative preconstruction services.
• Experience with design-build project delivery and integrated project planning strongly preferred.
• Experience with federal and state government construction pursuits, including DoD, VA, municipal, and public-sector procurement processes preferred.
• DBIA certification or equivalent design-build experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related field preferred.
• Strong understanding of commercial and government construction means and methods, procurement strategy, scheduling, and cost structures.
• Proficiency with estimating and construction technologies including ProEst, Procore, Bluebeam, OST, Togal.AI, and Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with Revit and Smartsheet preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, organizational, and relationship management skills.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage multiple pursuits simultaneously, and operate effectively in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Willingness to commute or relocate to the Plano, TX area.
• Cost Estimating certification strongly preferred or equivalent certification training. (ICEAA's Professional Cost Estimator/ Analyst (PCEA) or AACE's Certified Estimating Professional (CEP) or ASPE's Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or ICEAA's Certified Cost Estimator/ Analyst (CCEA).

Culture, Leadership and Employee Development

• Exemplifies and promotes our values of integrity, respect, teamwork, excellence, and charity.
• Embrace key Sevan-wide initiatives, like Safety and Sustainability.
• Communicates our vision and purpose through Service, Talent, and Choices.
• Serves as a role model and promotes professional behavior.
• Participates in personal career development through on-the-job training, attends training programs, and assists in the development of interns / co-ops.

Pay & Benefits: The anticipated compensation range for the position is $150,000 - $175,000, is based on a full-time schedule, market and business conditions, and is commensurate on individual education, qualifications, and experience. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, flexible paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, and a matching 401K plan.