Preconstruction Director, Advanced Technology

Graham Contracting, Ltd.; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Graham Contracting, Ltd. in Dallas, TX, seeks a Preconstruction Director, Advanced Technology, to lead preconstruction for data center and mission-critical projects.

You will set strategy, govern pursuits, and coordinate design, estimating, budgeting and scheduling with cross-functional teams. Based in the Dallas area, you will build client relationships, oversee risk management and ensure GMP readiness while deploying best practices across estimating and design management.

Qualifications

• Deep mission-critical construction expertise and track record leading complex pursuits.
• Experience in preconstruction lifecycle: pursuit strategy, design, cost, schedule, procurement.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and executive client engagement.

Responsibilities

• Set the overall strategy, standards and expectations for preconstruction delivery across the unit.
• Provide executive oversight and governance for strategic and high-risk pursuits and projects.
• Allocate preconstruction resources based on workload and market priorities.
• Create interfaces among Business Development, Estimating, Design, Operations and service groups.
• Own and improve estimating, preconstruction, design management and client coordination practices.
• Review and approve commercial strategy for major pursuits with leadership coordination.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Client engagement

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering or Architecture

AIA/RA, PE, DBIA, LEED AP, PMP or comparable credentials

Job description

Preconstruction Director, Advanced Technology

Requisition ID: 32173

Employment Type: Full time (US)

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Build What Matters

At Graham, one of North America's largest general contractors, we don't just construct buildings, we create spaces that shape lives and strengthen communities. As part of our Buildings division, you will contribute to meaningful projects across the region, from hospitals and schools to entertainment venues and multi-family residences.

Here, your work has purpose. Your safety and growth are supported. And your impact is lasting.

Graham Buildings U.S.'s Advanced Technology business unit is seeking an experienced construction executive to lead preconstruction efforts for data center and other projects. Based in Dallas, TX, this role combines strategic business development, client relationship management, and hands-on leadership of design, estimating, budgeting, scheduling, procurement, and risk management throughout the preconstruction phase.

The ideal candidate brings deep mission critical construction expertise, a proven track record of winning work, strong relationships, and the ability to lead high-performing teams while delivering exceptional results.

What You Will Do:

• Set the overall strategy, standards and expectations for preconstruction delivery across the business unit.
• Provide executive oversight and governance for strategic, high-value or high-risk pursuits and projects.
• Allocate preconstruction resources based on workload, complexity, market priorities and team development needs.
• Create strong interfaces among Business Development, Estimating, Design, Operations and other service groups.
• Own and continuously improve estimating, preconstruction, design management, client coordination, and design-build best practices, ensuring they are understood and consistently deployed across teams.
• Establish consistent expectations for conceptual estimating, benchmarking, cost planning, estimate validation and GMP/bid readiness.
• Review and approve commercial strategy for major pursuits, including fee, escalation, contingency, qualifications and risk posture in coordination with executive leadership.
• Use portfolio-level cost and market intelligence to improve forecasting and decision making.
• Ensure cost planning is integrated with design management rather than operating as a separate estimating exercise.

Design Management, Constructability & Value

• Set expectations for design management within preconstruction, including conceptual design, design-to-budget, constructability, design risk, consultant coordination and decision governance.
• Strengthen the business unit’s ability to engage early with architects and engineers and to translate design intent into executable construction strategy.
• Champion collaborative delivery approaches such as design-build, design-assist, ECI, TVD and other integrated methods where appropriate.
• Develop organizational capability in design management alongside estimating and construction planning.
• Build capability within the business unit to select, scope, contract and manage A/E teams and design-build/design-assist partners, including design fees, delegated-design interfaces and design risk.
• Champion DBIA engagement and other industry participation that strengthens design-build knowledge, reputation and external network.

Schedule, Procurement, Logistics & Risk

• Set standards for preconstruction scheduling, procurement planning, risk management and market engagement.
• Maintain awareness of labor, material, supply-chain and trade-partner market conditions and translate them into portfolio strategy.
• Support executive risk reviews and ensure committed proposals have appropriate internal validation.
• Strengthen strategic trade-partner relationships and inclusive procurement/UBE participation.

Pursuits, Clients & Business Development

• Partner with Business Acquisition/Development, Marcom, and Operations leadership on market strategy, pursuit selection, and positioning.
• Build and maintain executive relationships with key clients, architects, engineers, consultants and trade partners.
• Provide strategic leadership for major interviews, negotiations and pursuit decisions.
• Support deal-making and contract negotiations on major collaborative/design-build pursuits, including A/E teaming strategy, design scope, design fees and risk allocation.
• Use market intelligence and lessons learned to improve competitive position and service offering.

People, Process & Continuous Improvement

• Build, develop and retain a high-performing multidisciplinary preconstruction team.
• Define career paths, capability expectations, succession plans and development priorities.
• Establish metrics and feedback loops for preconstruction quality, efficiency, win performance and project outcomes.
• Champion technology, data, benchmarking and continuous improvement across the function.

What You Will Bring:

• 12-15+ years of progressively responsible experience across preconstruction, construction/project management, design management, architecture/engineering, estimating/cost planning or related project-delivery leadership.
• Demonstrated success leading complex pursuits/projects and multidisciplinary teams, including executive client engagement and commercial decision making.
• Deep understanding of the full preconstruction lifecycle: pursuit strategy, design, cost, schedule, procurement, constructability, risk, contracts and transition to operations.
• Proven people leadership, organizational development, resource planning and process-improvement capability.
• Strong business acumen and ability to connect project-level decisions to market strategy, financial performance and long-term client relationships.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related field preferred, or equivalent experience; professional credentials such as AIA/RA, PE, DBIA, LEED AP, PMP or similar are valued.
• Professional credentials such as AIA/RA, PE, DBIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, PMP or comparable credentials are valued but not required.

At Graham, we’re building more than structures, we’re building futures. Join a team that delivers excellence from the ground up and makes a lasting impact across Canada.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to an inclusive, accessible workplace. Accommodations are available throughout the hiring process when requested. Please contact [e-mail] for accommodation requests.

Unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles will not be accepted and will become the property of Jardeg/Graham.

Information at a Glance

Why Graham?

As proud employee‑owners, we believe in sharing our success. Your contributions don't just matter – they create our success.

We offer opportunities to work on diverse projects across Canada and the U.S. across our Buildings, Infrastructure, Industrial, and Services divisions.

Enjoy competitive benefits, career mobility, and a culture built on commitment, integrity, and reliability.