Strategic Preconstruction Director, Data Centers

Graham; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Graham Buildings U.S.'s Advanced Technology unit seeks a seasoned Preconstruction Director to lead strategy, client engagement, and cross-functional execution for data center and other mission-critical projects in Dallas.

This role oversees design management, estimating, budgeting, scheduling and procurement, guiding teams across Business Development, Estimating, Design and Operations to deliver GMP-ready projects.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate brings deep mission critical construction expertise and a proven track record of winning work.
• Demonstrated success leading complex pursuits 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.
• Professional credentials such as AIA/RA, PE, DBIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, PMP or comparable credentials are valued but not required.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Preconstruction leadership

Client relationship management

Executive governance

Estimating & budgeting

Design management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related field

Tools

DBIA

LEED AP

PMP

Job description

Graham Buildings U.S.'s Advanced Technology unit seeks a seasoned Preconstruction Director to lead strategy, client engagement, and cross-functional execution for data center and other mission-critical projects in Dallas.

This role oversees design management, estimating, budgeting, scheduling and procurement, guiding teams across Business Development, Estimating, Design and Operations to deliver GMP-ready projects.