Director, Preconstruction
The Poole and Kent Corporation
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Poole and Kent Corporation is seeking a Director of Preconstruction in Baltimore, Maryland to provide strategic leadership for preconstruction services related to mechanical construction projects. This role involves estimating, budgeting, client engagement, and ensuring accurate proposals that align with company goals.
Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field and over 10 years of experience in mechanical construction, with a focus on HVAC, plumbing, and piping systems. Strong leadership and estimating skills are essential for success in this position.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in mechanical construction with estimating or preconstruction.
- 5+ years in a leadership or management role.
- Deep knowledge of mechanical systems (HVAC, piping, plumbing).
Responsibilities
- Lead preconstruction department and develop related strategies.
- Oversee preparation of estimates and ensure competitiveness.
- Build relationships with clients and collaborate on project pursuits.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
We are one of the leading mechanical contractors in the eastern United States. Our construction and service (mechanical and electrical) experience includes a broad range of commercial and government projects, including data centers, hospitals, sports stadiums, convention centers, hotels, and research laboratories.
The Director of Preconstruction provides strategic leadership and oversight for all preconstruction services related to mechanical construction projects, including HVAC, plumbing, piping, and process systems. This role is responsible for estimating, budgeting, value engineering, constructability analysis, and client engagement from project pursuit through contract award. The Director ensures accurate, competitive proposals while aligning technical solutions with company capabilities, financial goals, and client expectations.
Job Title: Director of Preconstruction (Construction / Mechanical)
Location: Baltimore, Maryland 21227
Reports to: Senior Vice President, Preconstruction
FLSA Status: Full-Time / Exempt
Work Shift: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. / Mon. – Fri. (Not a Remote Position)
- Assist in leading and managing the preconstruction department team members.
- Develop and implement preconstruction strategies that align with company growth, profitability targets, and market positioning.
- Refine standards, processes, and best practices for estimating, budgeting, and proposal development.
- Mentor and develop team members, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture.
- Oversee preparation of conceptual, schematic, design development, and GMP estimates for mechanical systems.
- Ensure accuracy, completeness, and competitiveness of bids and proposals.
- Analyze drawings, specifications, and other documentation to prepare detailed cost estimates.
- Manage risk analysis, contingency planning, and cost validation processes.
- Lead value engineering efforts to optimize project costs while maintaining quality and performance.
- Collaborate with business development and operations teams during project pursuits and presentations.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, general contractors, engineers, and owners.
- Participate in proposal interviews, presentations, and negotiations.
- Support market research and identify new opportunities in target sectors (e.g., healthcare, data centers, industrial).
- Lead constructability reviews and coordination with design teams.
- Oversee early-stage project planning, scheduling input, and procurement strategies.
- Direct integration of BIM/VDC for clash detection, purchasing, prefabrication planning, and cost validation.
- Coordinate with purchasing and operations teams to ensure seamless transition from preconstruction to project execution.
- Develop and maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and manufacturers.
- Oversee subcontractor prequalification, bid solicitation, and leveling processes.
- Ensure competitive pricing and adherence to scope requirements.
- Implement and optimize estimating software and digital workflows.
- Continuously improve data analytics, historical cost databases, and benchmarking practices.
- Drive innovation in preconstruction methodologies.
- Review and approve final estimates, budgets, and proposal submissions.
- Monitor preconstruction costs and resource utilization.
- Ensure alignment with company financial objectives and margin expectations.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Supply Chain Management or a related field (required).
- 10+ years of experience in mechanical construction, with significant experience in estimating or preconstruction.
- 5+ years in a leadership or management role.
- Deep knowledge of mechanical systems (HVAC, piping, plumbing).
- Proficiency with estimating software (e.g., Autobid, Trimble).
- Strong understanding of construction documents, codes, and industry standards.
- Strong familiarity with construction contract structures, risk allocation, and industry standards.
- Excellent negotiation, mathematical, and analytical skills.
- Strategic thinking and decision-making.
- Strong leadership and team development skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
- Negotiation and relationship management.
- Financial acumen and analytical skills.
- Problem-solving and attention to detail.
- Prior in-house experience with a general contractor, construction manager, or large specialty contractor.
- Proficiency in Autobid and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel); advanced user of Excel.
- Working knowledge of project and financial software a plus.
- Practical, business-oriented preconstruction judgment.
- Ability to balance estimate risk with operational realities.
- Ability to manage high volume, high value preconstruction deliverables under tight deadlines.
- Integrity, honesty, professionalism, and care regarding confidential information.
- Ability to work well in a team-oriented work environment and flexibility to take on added responsibilities.
- Professional self-discipline and initiative; attention to detail; commitment to deadlines.
- Prioritizes and organizes work in a fast-paced multi-tasking environment.
- Builds positive working relationships with multiple levels of employees, management, suppliers, and customers.
- Demonstrates commitment to company values and safety culture.
Effective communication in English with customers, employees, unions, government agencies, vendors, suppliers, and other contractor organizations.
The employee is regularly required to sit, see, talk, and hear; use hands to handle objects; walk, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; may occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Vision requirements include close, distance, peripheral, depth, and focus adjustment. Reasonable accommodations may be made for disabilities.
Workplace characteristics include typical construction environment expectations; reasonable accommodations may be made for disabilities.
We offer our employees a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
We are an equal‑opportunity employer. Veterans and disabled individuals are encouraged to apply.
Please review our affirmatively action policy.
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