Director of Preconstruction

Ragnar Benson Construction, LLC; Illinois City (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Ragnar Benson Construction, LLC in Rockford, IL, seeks a Director of Preconstruction to lead the estimating staff, allocate resources across pursuits, and drive bid management for port, intermodal, rail, and industrial projects.

You will oversee cost databases, estimating software, and develop a high-performing preconstruction team, collaborating with project groups to ensure accurate, timely submissions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of estimating construction projects.
• Proven management experience with mentoring others.
• Strong presentation and verbal/written communication skills.
• Understanding of contractual requirements, conceptual estimating, design drawings, and project specs.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate the estimating staff and resources.
• Lead prebid attendance and bid management activities.
• Set timelines and goals for submittals.
• Ensure collaboration across disciplines on estimates.
• Review bids, specs, drawings, and contracts to mitigate issues.
• Provide monthly KPI reports and handoff to cost control.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Estimating

Project coordination

Education

B.S. in Construction Management / Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera P6

Bid2Win

Job description

Job Title: Director of Preconstruction

The Director of Preconstruction will be responsible for the management of the estimating staff, assigning resources to multiple estimating pursuits, coordinating pre‑bid attendance as needed, bid management, cost databases, estimating software, and implementing or improving estimating practices. The position will be office based in Rockford, IL. Ragnar Benson specializes in Port, Intermodal, Rail and Industrial projects nationwide.

Company Overview

Ragnar Benson Construction is a full‑service general contractor specializing in commuter rail, intermodal facilities, and ports. With almost 40 years of experience in the railway industry, we offer various delivery models, including general contracting, construction management, preconstruction, and design‑build services. We specialize in constructing intermodal facilities, classification yards, mechanical repair facilities, fueling facilities, automobile marshaling terminals, and mainline capacity improvements. Focusing on innovation, safety, and environmentally responsible construction, Ragnar Benson delivers quality work and service.

Ragnar Benson is part of the MasTec Clean Energy & Infrastructure (CE&I) business segment. The CE&I segment generates over $4.5 billion in annual revenue, providing construction services across our renewables, industrial, infrastructure, and general building operating groups. Sustainability and safety are foundational to our culture and influence everything we do.

MasTec, a minority‑owned Fortune 500 company, has shaped the construction industry for more than 90 years. With over 35,000 employees and 400 offices nationwide, we provide flexibility and career growth in dynamic work environments.

Responsibilities

• Perform functions inherent to a manager/supervisory position through directing, planning, organizing, and coordinating.
• Conduct or attend project meetings as needed to communicate project requirements.
• Establish timelines and estimating goals for effective and timely submittals.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration on estimates between all disciplines and parties.
• Review and approve bids, specifications, drawings, and the contract to proactively solve potential issues.
• Inform preconstruction staff of project requirements and owner directives and develop a plan to meet stated goals.
• Responsible for the management and continued development of the estimating department.
• Review and approve data submitted by staff, including proposals, presentations, and contract negotiations.
• Provide monthly reports of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which include types of estimates and values of estimates being produced.
• Prepare post‑bid budget and job setup activity codes for handoff to cost control department for EPR interface.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of estimating construction projects.
• Proven management experience, a history of leading, teaching, developing, and mentoring others successfully.
• Demonstrates solid presentation skills and verbal/written communication skills.
• Possesses an understanding of contractual requirements, conceptual estimating, design drawings, and project specifications.
• B.S. in Construction Management, Engineering, or equivalent progressive work experience.
• Proven hands‑on experience using Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Bid2Win, or similar industry software.

Benefits

Financial Wellbeing

• Ongoing performance reviews and merit increases.
• 401(k) with company match and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• Flexible spending account (Healthcare & Dependent care).

Health & Wellness

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (plan choice) – coverage for spouse, domestic partner, and children.
• Diabetes Management, Telehealth Coverage, Prescription Drug Plan, Pet Insurance.

Family & Lifestyle

• Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, Bereavement Leave.
• Military Leave, including Differential Pay and Benefits Continuation.
• Employee Assistance Program.

Planning for the Unexpected

• Short and long‑term disability, life insurance, and accidental death & dismemberment.
• Voluntary life insurance, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity coverage.
• Emergency Travel Assistance Program.
• Group legal plan.

Position may be subject to pre‑employment screening, which may include background check and drug testing. Accessibility: If you need accommodation as part of the employment process, contact [e-mail]. Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to individual requests regarding application status. Please log into your candidate profile for up‑to‑date information.

MasTec, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Company’s policy is not to unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also MasTec’s policy to comply with all applicable state, federal and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

MasTec Clean Energy & Infrastructure and our subsidiaries do not work with any third‑party recruiters or agencies without a valid signed agreement and partnership with the Corporate Talent Acquisition Team.

Disclaimer: MasTec and our Subsidiaries will never ask prospective employees for any form of payment or money transfer as part of job application or onboarding. We do not ask prospective employees for information about credit cards or personal passwords, and it does not require applicants to purchase equipment or software. Ensure that all recruiter email addresses end in @mastec.com or @talent.icims.com. If you suspect you are the target of a scam, we advise you to contact your local law enforcement agency and report fraud at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.