Director of Pre-Construction

Summary

The Director of Pre-Construction for RowCon is a leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s pre-construction and estimating functions for power infrastructure projects and programs. This role directs the strategic planning, leadership, and execution of pre-construction operations to ensure accurate, competitive, and profitable bids. The Director serves as a key link between business development, estimating, engineering, procurement, operations, and project delivery teams—driving the pursuit, development, and award of power infrastructure projects that align with the company’s long-term objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
• Develop and implement the company’s pre-construction and estimating strategies for access, civil, distribution, transmission, substation, and renewable power infrastructure markets.
• Partner with executive leadership to identify target markets, evaluate opportunities, and align pre-construction practices with growth and profitability goals.
• Establish consistent pre-construction standards, methodologies, and best practices across all markets.
• Champion the use of advanced technologies (e.g., InEight, AGTEK, P6, Civil 3D, BIM, for infrastructure, propeller, AI) to improve estimating accuracy and efficiency.
• Department Oversight
• Direct all pre-construction and estimating operations, including staffing, budgeting, scheduling, and performance management.
• Lead, train and mentor estimators, engineering managers, procurement coordinators, schedulers, and administrative staff, fostering professional growth and technical excellence.
• Manage the bid schedule and resource assignments.
• Develop standard estimating policies and procedures.
• Ensure that all estimates and proposals are prepared in accordance with company policies, client specifications, and project requirements.
• Pre-Construction Management
• Oversee conceptual estimates, feasibility analyses, value engineering, constructability reviews, and risk assessments for complex power projects.
• Collaborate with design engineers, owners, general contractors and operations teams during pre-bid and pre-construction phases to develop cost-effective, buildable solutions.
• Guide the preparation of detailed work breakdown structures, cost models, and production rate analyses.
• Oversee procurement planning and strategy during pre-construction, ensuring alignment between estimating, subcontractor selection, and project delivery goals.
• Collaborate with project management and field operations teams to develop procurement schedules, bid packages, and subcontractor award recommendations that optimize safety, project cost and delivery timelines.
• Direct the procurement process for key materials and subcontracted work during the pre-construction phase, including solicitation, evaluation, and negotiation of vendor and subcontractor proposals.
• Review and approve subcontractor and vendor scopes, bid comparisons, and recommendations for award.
• Collaborate with the marketing department to develop best in class proposals, presentations, technical approach and capability statements.
• Pursue teaming and potential JV opportunities at the early stages of Project pursuits
• Business Development & Client Relations
• Partner with business development and operations teams to pursue and secure new opportunities with municipalities, federal government, utilities, general contractors and private clients.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, client presentations, and proposal interviews to promote company capabilities and close new business.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, engineers, vendors and subcontractors to enhance the company’s reputation and market reach.
• Participate in marketplace and industry specific associations.
• Operational Excellence
• Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive cost history database and performance metrics to inform future bids.
• Analyze bid results, market trends, and competitor performance to improve pre-construction strategies and win rates.
• Promote innovation, collaboration, and integrity across all pre-construction activities.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, including DBE/MBE/WBE participation goals and other project-specific mandates.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead and manage estimators, engineering managers, procurement coordinators, schedulers, and administrative support staff.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and performance evaluations within the department.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Strong leadership, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• In-depth understanding of heavy civil construction means, methods, equipment, and production rates.
• Proficiency with estimating and scheduling software (e.g., AGTEK, Primavera P6, Bluebeam, Civil 3D).
• Proven ability to lead large teams and manage multiple concurrent pursuits under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management; 10 years of equivalent field experience is acceptable.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in power construction estimating, pre-construction, or operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience with municipal, federal, and large infrastructure programs and projects
• Demonstrated success in both competitive bid and negotiated contract environments.

Additional Information

All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a pre-employment physical examination to ensure fitness for duty and the ability to safely perform the essential functions of the position.