Preconstruction Executive

DPR Construction; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

DPR Construction is seeking a Senior Preconstruction Leader to drive preconstruction efforts on large projects in the Durham, NC area. You will oversee cost strategy, conceptual planning, design-phase evaluation, and early risk identification while guiding the preconstruction team to ensure deliverables are complete and aligned with objectives.

You will build senior-level client relationships, collaborate with design partners, and lead cross-functional teams through pursuit strategy, proposal

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, architecture, a related field, or equivalent experience required.
• 12+ years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or project engineering required.
• 5+ years of leadership or managerial experience required.

Responsibilities

• Leads preconstruction planning, coordination, and delivery for large projects, aligning scope, cost, schedule, and objectives.
• Guides evaluation of strategies, constructability, system options and early risk drivers.
• Reviews major estimates, logistics strategies and value analysis for high-risk pursuits.
• Builds senior-level relationships with clients, design teams, and trade partners to resolve issues and support decisions.
• Represents preconstruction leadership in executive client and design meetings.

Skills

Preconstruction leadership

Cost estimating

Project management

Client relationship

Constructability reviews

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

At DPR, roles and responsibilities are more than describing a job title—they are a commitment to building great things together. The job description(s) below defines core responsibilities and the scope of the role and is a starting point. Every employee is expected to lead from where they are, take ownership of outcomes, and always act in the best interest of the team, customer, project and organization.As a purpose-driven organization on a journey to be most admired, we rely on trust, shared leadership, open communication, disciplined action and a deep respect for the individual to drive exceptional performance. Success is not just about what we build, but who we build and how we build it: with integrity, enjoyment, uniqueness and an ever-forward mindset.Job Summary:Leads preconstruction for a large project, on a program or across multiple key projects, by overseeing cost strategy, conceptual planning, design-phase evaluation, constructability assessments, and early risk identification. Coordinates with clients, designers, trade partners, and DPR operations leaders to ensure preconstruction deliverables are complete, accurate, and aligned with project objectives. Provides technical leadership and guidance to preconstruction team members while promoting consistent processes, transparent communication, and informed decision-making. Represents preconstruction strategy during client interactions and supports project transition into execution.Key Responsibilities:Leads preconstruction planning, coordination, and delivery for a large project, ensuring alignment among scope, cost, schedule, and project objectives.Guides evaluation of strategies, constructability considerations, system alternatives, and early risk drivers to support project clarity and feasibility.Reviews major estimates, logistic strategies, and value analysis for high risk pursuits, challenging key assumptions and validating alignment with strategic goals.Builds senior level relationships with key clients, design teams, trade partners, and operations leaders to clarify assumptions, resolve issues, and support effective decision-making ensuring alignment at critical decision milestones.Provides direction and mentorship to preconstruction team members and contributes to strengthening the project’s preconstruction workflow providing consistency across teams.Supports pursuit strategy, proposal development, and major presentations for the assigned project and provides leadership and oversight for preconstruction planning across multiple key pursuits, or one large project in a program, ensuring alignment among scope, cost, schedule, risk, and business objectives.Represents preconstruction leadership in executive level client and design meetings, communicating strategies, assumptions, and recommendations.Education Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, architecture, a related field, or equivalent experience required.Work Experience:12 or more years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or project engineering required.5 or more years of leadership or managerial experience required.Certifications and Licenses:None required.DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general contractor specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology, life sciences, healthcare, higher education and commercial markets. Founded in 1990, DPR is a great story of entrepreneurial success as a private, employee-owned company that has grown into a multi-billion-dollar family of companies with offices around the world.Working at DPR, you'll have the chance to try new things, explore paths and shape your future. Here, we build opportunity together—by harnessing our talents, enabling curiosity and pursuing our collective ambition to make the best ideas happen. We are proud to be recognized as a great place to work by our talented teammates and leading news organizations like U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Fast Company and Newsweek.Explore our open opportunities at www.dpr.com/careers .