Director of Preconstruction

ULNYP; Omaha (NE); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

401(k) with company match

Generous PTO

Travel opportunities

Job summary

MCL Construction seeks a Director of Preconstruction to lead a high-performing team from concept to final estimates. You will defend budgets, coordinate with owners, architects, and subs, and drive value through accurate cost modeling.

In Omaha, this role blends office leadership with field collaboration, balancing schedules, staffing, and travel. A bachelor’s in CM/engineering/architecture is preferred, with extensive estimating and leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Ten+ years in preconstruction/estimating/construction management.
• Led diverse commercial projects from concept through construction documents (GMP/CMAR).
• Proficient with Timberline or OST; MS Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preconstruction team and manage estimators.
• Direct conceptual to GMP and lump-sum estimates.
• Build cost models and maintain accuracy under pressure.
• Coordinate with operations to align margins and labor.
• Present complex cost data to owners and stakeholders.

Skills

Preconstruction leadership

Leadership of team

RFP/RFQ experience

Timberline/OST

MS Office

Contract negotiations

Multi-project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in CM/Engineering/Architecture

Tools

Timberline

On-Screen Takeoff

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Job Description

We’re looking for a Director of Preconstruction who is sharp, steady, and respected in the room — someone who can stand in front of an owner with a conceptual budget and defend every line of it. The title is Director of Preconstruction. The real job is being the person owners trust before a single shovel hits the ground. Day-to-Day Lead the Numbers Own a deep pipeline of ground-up and renovation projects from first concept through groundbreaking. Direct conceptual, schematic, design development, GMP, and lump-sum estimates — and stand behind every one. Build and analyze cost models that hold up under pressure through precon and bidding. Partner with operations to align margins, labor rates, and strategy so estimates win work that performs. Maintain the cost history database that makes every future estimate sharper than the last. Build the Team Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of preconstruction managers and estimators. Coordinate workloads and schedules with your Preconstruction Managers so deadlines are hit without burning people out. Help hire the next generation of MCL estimators and invest in their training and development. Set the standards — implement department policies and SOPs with a continuous-improvement mindset. Be the Face of Precon Guide owners, architects, and internal teams through every phase of project development — and strengthen the relationships that bring MCL repeat work. Deliver presentations that turn complex cost data into decisions owners can make with confidence. Stay ahead of the market — estimating technology, construction methods, costs, wages, and delivery trends.

The Right Fit

• Have 10+ years of progressive, management-level experience in preconstruction, estimating, or construction.
• Have led diverse commercial projects — ground-up and renovation — from concept through construction documents, including GMP and CMAR delivery (preferred).
• Know your way around estimating platforms like Timberline or On-Screen Takeoff, plus Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Are fluent in RFP/RFQ preparation, contract negotiations, scheduling, and purchasing.
• Hold a bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or a related field (preferred) — or have the track record that proves you don't need one.
• Can lead a room of owners, architects, and subs — and lead a team with the same confidence.
• Are comfortable splitting time between the office and active job sites — PPE on and ready.
• Can juggle multiple projects and priorities at once — travel is limited, but the pace isn't.

Our Values

We hire for character as much as credentials. These four traits define the people who succeed at MCL:

Passionate — you care deeply about the work, the craft, and the people around you. This is more than a job to you.

Dedicated — you show up fully every day. When things get hard—and they will—you stay engaged.

Thorough — details matter. You don't hand something off or close it out until it's done right.

Respectful — you treat the owner, the sub, the laborer, and everyone in between with respect. It's not situational here—it's the standard.

What You're Walking Into

MCL Construction has been building Omaha and the surrounding region since 1987. We build with integrity, show up with purpose, and leave every project — and every relationship — better than we found it. Our reputation is built on people who show up, lead from the front, and take real pride in what gets built. You’ll work with experienced teammates on projects that shape communities, in a culture that values your judgment and the impact of your work. If you want meaningful work with people who hold a high standard and have each other’s backs, MCL is the place.

Competitive Compensation Package with benefits including: Medical, Dental & Vision

• 401(k) with company match
• Generous PTO
• Travel opportunities
• And more You don't just price buildings. You earn the trust that gets them built.