Preconstruction Director - Mission Critical

Our client is a leading builder of mission-critical facilities, delivering complex, high-performance projects for data centers, life sciences, healthcare, and other critical infrastructure.

Position Summary

The Mission Critical Preconstruction Director is responsible for leading all preconstruction efforts for complex, high-reliability projects from concept through construction start. This role partners closely with owners, designers, and internal operations teams to develop accurate budgets, schedules, logistics plans, and risk assessments that support successful project delivery.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in mission-critical construction, strong technical judgment, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders while driving clarity and alignment in early project phases.

Key Responsibilities

Preconstruction Leadership

• Lead preconstruction activities for mission-critical projects, including conceptual estimating, budgeting, scheduling, and feasibility analysis
• Develop and manage detailed preconstruction work plans, deliverables, and milestones
• Serve as the primary point of contact during preconstruction for owners, design teams, and internal stakeholders

Estimating & Cost Management

• Prepare and oversee accurate cost estimates at all design phases (conceptual through GMP)
• Perform quantity takeoffs, pricing validation, and scope reviews
• Identify cost drivers, value-engineering opportunities, and risk mitigation strategies
• Maintain cost histories and benchmarking data for mission-critical work

Design & Trade Partner Coordination

• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and consultants to ensure constructability, phasing, and sequencing are addressed early
• Lead trade partner selection, bid packaging, and scope alignment
• Evaluate subcontractor proposals for scope completeness, pricing accuracy, and technical compliance

Schedule & Logistics Planning

• Develop preconstruction schedules, milestone plans, and long-lead procurement strategies
• Identify site constraints, access limitations, and operational considerations specific to mission-critical environments
• Coordinate early procurement of critical equipment and systems

Risk & Quality Management

• Identify project risks related to cost, schedule, constructability, and operations
• Support development of risk registers and contingency strategies
• Ensure preconstruction plans align with mission-critical performance, redundancy, and uptime requirements

Handoff to Operations

• Lead seamless transition from preconstruction to construction teams
• Ensure scope, budget, schedule, and assumptions are clearly documented and communicated
• Support construction teams during early project execution as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 10 years of construction or preconstruction experience, with a strong focus on mission-critical facilities (data centers, healthcare, life sciences, or similar)
• Proven experience leading preconstruction efforts on large, complex projects
• Strong understanding of MEP systems, critical infrastructure, and redundancy requirements
• Proficiency in estimating, scheduling, and preconstruction software tools
• Excellent communication, leadership, and client-facing skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Experience

• Experience with data center construction or other high-availability facilities
• GMP and design-build project delivery experience
• Familiarity with LEAN construction, value engineering, and risk management practices