Senior Director, Mission Critical Predevelopment

Blue-Signal-Search; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client seeks a Senior Director of Mission Critical Predevelopment to lead front-end planning and preconstruction for major infrastructure programs. This on-site role is based in Dallas, TX or Washington, DC, and focuses on aligning development, design, finance, and execution strategies to improve clarity and commercial discipline before construction begins.

You will drive budgeting, risk evaluation, and procurement planning, guiding senior leadership through early decisions and ensuring

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading preconstruction, estimating, or early-stage project planning for large, complex construction programs.
• Strong background supporting mission critical, advanced industrial, manufacturing, or highly engineered facilities.
• Demonstrated budgeting, bid strategy, procurement planning, cost modeling, and commercial alignment during preconstruction.
• Ability to translate technical requirements into actionable business and delivery guidance.
• Experience collaborating with executive leadership in fast-growing organizations.
• Proven people leadership, process improvement, and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Lead front-end planning for large mission-critical construction initiatives from feasibility to readiness.
• Develop preconstruction processes, standards, and reporting across multiple projects/markets.
• Provide executives with cost exposure, timelines, procurement strategy, and risk guidance.
• Partner cross-functionally to support early project decision-making with engineering, design, finance, and operations.
• Oversee conceptual budgeting, design-phase estimating, bid review, and commercial evaluation.
• Review contractor proposals, confirm scope alignment, and support pre-award negotiations.
• Drive value analysis, constructability reviews, and early risk identification to protect capital plans.
• Evaluate utility coordination, equipment procurement timing, and phasing for major infrastructure.
• Build relationships with consultants, builders, and vendors essential to planning.
• Lead and develop a high-performing predevelopment and preconstruction team.

Skills

Preconstruction leadership

Budgeting

Cost modeling

Bid strategy

Procurement planning

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Scheduling & planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or related discipline

Job description

Senior Director, Mission Critical Predevelopment

Location: On-site in Dallas, TX or Washington, DC

Our client is a rapidly expanding organization delivering highly technical, capital-intensive infrastructure programs in fast-moving markets. They are seeking a Senior Director, Mission Critical Predevelopment to help shape project strategy well before construction begins, bringing structure, foresight, and commercial discipline to major development efforts. This is a strong opportunity for a seasoned leader who enjoys influencing early-stage planning, guiding complex stakeholder groups, and helping high-visibility projects launch with greater clarity and confidence.

This leader will play a key role in aligning development, design, financial planning, and execution strategy across a growing portfolio of mission critical initiatives. The right candidate will bring a strong command of preconstruction leadership, budget planning, risk evaluation, technical coordination, and team development, along with the ability to operate effectively in a high-growth environment where speed and precision both matter.

What You Will Do

• Lead front-end planning for large, mission-critical construction initiatives, guiding projects from feasibility through pricing, partner alignment, and execution readiness
• Develop and refine preconstruction processes, standards, and reporting practices that improve consistency across multiple projects and markets
• Provide executive stakeholders with clear direction on cost exposure, timeline considerations, procurement strategy, and project risk
• Partner cross-functionally with development, design, finance, operations, and project delivery teams to support sound decision-making during early project phases
• Oversee conceptual budgeting, design-phase estimating, bid review, and commercial evaluation activities for complex capital projects
• Review proposals from contractors and trade partners, confirm scope alignment, and support negotiation strategy prior to project award
• Drive value analysis, constructability review, and early risk identification to improve project outcomes and protect capital plans
• Evaluate major infrastructure planning factors such as utility coordination, equipment procurement timing, phasing strategy, and technical building requirements
• Cultivate productive relationships with consultants, builders, vendors, and other external partners essential to successful project planning
• Lead, mentor, and strengthen a high-performing team focused on predevelopment and preconstruction excellence

What You Bring

• Significant experience leading preconstruction, estimating, or early-stage project planning for large and technically complex construction programs
• Strong background supporting mission critical, advanced industrial, manufacturing, or other highly engineered facility types
• Demonstrated success with budgeting, bid strategy, procurement planning, cost modeling, and commercial alignment during preconstruction phases
• Ability to interpret technical project requirements and convert them into actionable business and delivery recommendations
• Experience collaborating with executive leadership and cross-functional teams in dynamic, growth-oriented organizations
• Proven people leadership skills, including team development, process improvement, and performance management
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, especially when discussing risk, cost strategy, and project assumptions with senior stakeholders
• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or a related discipline is preferred

Why Candidates Are Interested

• Opportunity to influence nationally significant, technically advanced projects
• Strong visibility with executive leadership and meaningful strategic ownership
• Collaborative environment with continued portfolio growth
• Exposure to sophisticated infrastructure programs with substantial capital impact
• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits offering