Director of estimating & preconstruction

Director of Estimating & Preconstruction

Confidential client | Indianapolis area, IN | Onsite | Full time

My client is a well-established, self-performing general contractor specializing in municipal and private water and wastewater treatment. They build across Indiana and the Chicago market.

The business is seeing record growth and wants to keep it going. This is the most important hire on its list. The Director of Estimating & Preconstruction will lead the function that wins the work behind that growth.

THE ROLE

You will lead estimating and preconstruction across all water and wastewater pursuits, hard bid and negotiated. You’ll own bid strategy, build and develop the estimating team, and make sure every number reflects how the business actually builds with its own forces.

The work is mechanically intensive treatment plant construction. That covers new plants, upgrades and expansions, pump and lift stations, interceptors and CSO work, often inside operating plants. You’ll work closely with operations and field leaders so that what gets priced is what gets built.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead, grow and mentor the estimating and preconstruction team
• Own go or no go decisions and bid day strategy with senior leadership
• Oversee detailed estimates for treatment plants, pump and lift stations, interceptors and CSO work
• Drive a self-perform approach, validating crews, production rates, means and methods with operations
• Plan for work inside live plants, including bypass, shutdowns and phasing
• Solicit and level sub and supplier pricing for process equipment, mechanical, electrical and I&C
• Lead preconstruction on CMAR, design-build and negotiated work, including budgets, GMPs and value engineering
• Build relationships with owners, utilities and consulting engineers across Indiana and Illinois
• Set estimating standards, templates and cost data, and feed job cost results back into future bids
• Track funding cycles, utility capital plans, pricing, lead times and subcontractor capacity

WHAT YOU BRING

• 12 or more years estimating in construction, with at least 5 years leading estimates or a team
• A proven record winning water and wastewater treatment plant work
• Deep self-perform knowledge of process piping, concrete structures and basins, and equipment installation
• Experience pricing projects from $15M upward
• Experience across design-bid-build, CMAR and design-build, including GMP and open book pricing
• A collaborative leader who holds people accountable and develops them
• Field experience, a heavy industrial or mechanical background, a degree or a PE are all a plus

WHAT IS ON OFFER

• $225,000 base salary
• 30% annual bonus, plus a performance based bonus
• Profit share of 0.5% to 1% of company net earnings each year, with the chance to grow your share
• Total compensation of around $400,000 to $500,000, with a path to $600,000 plus
• A senior seat in a fast growing business with a clear mandate and room to build

This role suits someone who wants to build something and be measured on results. All conversations are confidential. Apply here or message me directly to find out more.