Preconstruction Director - Water & Wastewater Construction

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 175,600 - 184,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Job summary

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. in Phoenix seeks a Water Preconstruction Director to lead preconstruction for water and wastewater projects, guiding pursuit strategy, design development, and cost estimation from concept through GMP.

This role acts as the primary liaison among operations, estimating, and design management, building strong owner and partner relationships. You will mentor preconstruction staff, manage risk, budget control, and ensure adherence to contractual requirements while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years of estimating, design management or field management experience.
• Proven experience managing preconstruction for large-scale projects ($100M+).
• In-depth knowledge of water/wastewater construction principles.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with owners, design teams, and subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Lead pursuit strategy and client-facing activities during Pursuit Phase.
• Oversee preconstruction schedule and cost estimates from design through GMP.
• Manage risk and budget controls across CMAR and design-build delivery.
• Represent McCarthy in design and coordination meetings with owners and partners.
• Develop and mentor preconstruction staff.

Skills

Preconstruction leadership

Budgeting

Risk management

Client relations

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or Engineering

Job description

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is America's premier, 100% employee-owned commercial construction company. With offices nationwide, we specialize in a wide range of project types that are as diverse and wide-ranging as the communities in which we build. Our innovative teams collaborate with clients and industry partners throughout the project life cycle, starting in the earliest stages of design, throughout construction and beyond project completion. McCarthy’s reputation for tackling the toughest building challenges starts with our focus on developing high-performing individuals and teams. We do this through our award-winning training programs, a best-in-class Total Rewards benefits program, and a focus on equipping diverse teams of employee owners through a connected and inclusive culture aligned with our core values of: Genuine. We, Not I. All In.

How do McCarthy partners define our culture?

• We Live Our Core Values: We do whatever it takes to deliver on our promises with honesty and integrity.
• We are Employee Owned: We are personally invested in building the things people need in our communities.
• We Feel Like a Family: We value genuine connections and help each other succeed in an inclusive environment.
• We are Builders: We respect the work we do and everyone who helps make it happen safely.

Position Summary

The Water Preconstruction Director is responsible for leading all preconstruction efforts on large, complex water and wastewater projects, from early pursuit through handoff to construction. This role drives pursuit strategy and client-facing activities; leads collaborative delivery (CMAR and Progressive Design-Build) and fixed-price design-build efforts; and oversees schedule, design development, and cost estimating from conceptual through GMP. The Water Preconstruction Director manages risk identification and mitigation, ensures budget control and alignment with contractual requirements, and provides solutions that balance cost, schedule, constructability, and life-cycle performance. They serve as the central liaison between operations, estimating, and design management; build and maintain strong relationships with owners, designers, trade partners, and vendors; and develop and mentor preconstruction staff while advancing McCarthy’s position in the water/wastewater market.

Responsibilities

Pursuit Phase

• Networks at conferences and industry events to develop relationships with designers, owners, equipment vendors, trade partners, etc.
• Works with team to develop pursuit strategy.
• Participates in client meeting
• Assists the Marketing Department in preparation of responses to RFP’s and RFQ’s.
• Participates in interviews and interview preparation.
• Can lead a Design-Bid-Build or Fixed Price Design Build pursuit.

Preconstruction Phase

• Lead collaborative delivery projects (CMAR and Progressive Design Build) through the preconstruction phase.
• Leads a Fixed Price Design Build Project after award.
• Prepares or oversees preparation of preconstruction schedule with buy-in from internal departments as relates to them. Interfaces with the owners and designers to maintain schedule. Keeps internal departments informed of schedule changes as relates to their activities. This includes identifying the need for multiple GMP’s to facilitate the overall project schedule.
• Leads the development of cost estimates at all design milestones (10% to 100%).
• Understands treatment plant process and can fills in design gaps for the completion of estimates as well as coordination between scopes.
• Coordinates the development and review of Self-Perform Estimates for the following Self-Perform:
• Concrete
• Misc Metals & FRP Installation
• Process Piping
• Process Equipment Installation
• Earthwork
• Underground Piping
• Leads the development of a GMP’
• Manages the risk identification and mitigation process.
• Leads internal McCarthy estimate reviews and project team coordination and status meetings.
• Presents deliverables to the owner in a complete and organized manner, per the approved guidelines of McCarthy and the requirements of the owner.
• Provides alternative solutions taking into consideration cost, schedule, maintenance, and life cycle cost implications.
• Leads the development of Trade Partner and Vendor buyo
• Assists in the prequalification process of trade partners and vendors.
• Oversees the establishment and maintenance of budget control during the construction phase of the project.
• Attends and represents McCarthy in all design and coordination meetings. On some projects may lead these meetings. Maintains an action log for outstanding items and assigns responsibility for such action items. Maintains scope issues log and is responsible for compiling pricing (with assistance from estimating as needed).
• Assists Project team in design decisions and development of solutions.
• Reviews the project construction schedule and ensures the timely preparation of the General Conditions and coordination of General Conditions with trade packages.
• Manages and maintains consistent deliverables in the approved format.
• Manages all aspects of risk and defines such for the executive team.
• Ensures we are adhering to contractual requirements and strategically meeting overall goals by understanding preconstruction and construction contracts and applying knowledge to assigned project.
• Tracks and manages construction budget between formal estimating periods and keeps owner and team abreast of current budget and impact of design decisions.
• Acts as the team liaison between operations, estimating and design management.
• Leads the development and training of other preconstruction staff.
• Manages a relationship management plan with owners and key stakeholders in the markets that we cover.
• Builds and maintains relationships with design engineers.
• Builds and maintains solid relationships with subcontractors to obtain a competitive advantage for McCarthy.
• Attends industry events and represents McCarthy to the industry in a professional capacity.
• Maintains knowledge of cost elements of projects
• Implement all applicable Safety Programs and EEO/Affirmative Action Programs.

Construction Phase

• Works with construction teams to maintain dialogue and receive feedback for implementation in future preconstruction efforts.
• Monitors productivity, budgets vs actual costs, and labor rates for incorporation into current and future estimates.
• Assists team with clarifying scope of a budget, how scope was bought, and clarifying elements of the GMP as needed with the project team.
• Assist in reconciling costs with final design documents where a GMP was provided at an early design milestone.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, and/or minimum 10 years of applicable estimating, design management and/or field management experience.
• Proven experience managing preconstruction for large scale projects ($100M+) with emphasis on highly complex projects.
• In-depth knowledge of water/wastewater construction principles/practices required.
• Experience managing and negotiating subcontracts and purchase orders.
• Experience with developing and managing relationships with owners, design teams, trade partners and vendors.
• Experience leading successful team ventures, including development of employees and maintaining relationships with external entities and subcontractor community.
• Self-starter. Highly motivated to bring results and success to the projects he/she leads.
• Focused on continuous improve
• Ability to build trust and influence others internally and externally.
• Demonstrates behaviors consistent with McCarthy core values.
• Maintains a “value added” approach to preconstruction.
• Strong communication skills with ability to communicate to varied audiences.
• Strong presentation skills.

McCarthy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

For California locations only, the salary range for this position is: $175,600 - $184,800. This does not include possible bonus and other benefits which can impact total compensation. Compensation offered may vary based on work location, experience, qualifications, specialty, training, and market and business considerations, among other factors.