Chief Estimator

Vice President, Preconstruction – Electrical Infrastructure

Location: Houston, Texas

Eligibility: Open to US Citizens only

Hunter Philips is partnering with a leading electrical contractor specializing in the construction and maintenance of Electric Transmission and Distribution systems. The company delivers complex infrastructure projects that support the energy transition, critical power requirements, and the continued modernization of the electrical grid.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Vice President, Preconstruction to lead and shape a growing preconstruction function, supporting complex electrical infrastructure, mission-critical, industrial, and large-scale construction projects.

About the Role

The Vice President, Preconstruction will provide strategic and operational leadership across the preconstruction function, with a focus on complex electrical infrastructure and technically challenging projects.

This role will lead a team of senior preconstruction professionals, driving consistency, collaboration, and accountability throughout the front end of the business.

The successful candidate will work closely with executive leadership, commercial development, estimating, scheduling, project management, and operations teams to support major pursuits, improve project transitions, and position the business for continued growth.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for a professional who can operate strategically while remaining hands-on bringing technical expertise, commercial awareness, and strong leadership to complex project environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of senior preconstruction professionals

• Partner with customers and internal stakeholders to understand project requirements and develop successful pursuit strategies

• Provide leadership across estimating, budgeting, scheduling, value engineering, and front-end planning activities

• Develop project documentation including scopes of work, bid requirements, commercial terms, execution plans, and proposal deliverables

• Coordinate with engineering, estimating, operations, and project delivery teams to support successful project execution

• Strengthen collaboration between business development, preconstruction, and operational teams

• Establish and improve preconstruction processes, tools, communication, and review practices

• Support customer-facing preconstruction efforts including early engagement, scope development, and proposal preparation

• Review project risks, procurement strategies, constructability, and execution planning during pre-award phases

• Build strong relationships with clients, partners, and internal stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle

What You’ll Bring

• Significant progressive experience in preconstruction, estimating, scheduling, design-assist, or construction leadership roles

• Proven experience leading teams and coordinating multiple stakeholders within complex construction environments

• Strong background supporting large-scale electrical, infrastructure, industrial, or technically complex construction projects

• Experience with transmission & distribution, utility infrastructure, mission-critical, industrial, or similar markets

• Ability to align teams, manage competing priorities, and drive successful outcomes

• Strong commercial judgment and practical problem-solving ability

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence clients and executive stakeholders

• Ability and willingness to travel as required

Preferred Experience

• Experience leading senior-level preconstruction teams or discipline leaders

• Background with electrical contractors, EPC organizations, utility infrastructure providers, or complex industrial construction firms

• Experience with conceptual estimating, design-assist delivery, schedule development, procurement planning, and pre-award risk reviews

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred

If you are an experienced preconstruction leader looking to play a key role in delivering the next generation of electrical infrastructure projects, we’d like to hear from you.