Preconstruction Director - Water & Wastewater Construction

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

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

Network at conferences and industry events to develop relationships with designers, owners, equipment vendors, trade partners, etc.

Work with team to develop pursuit strategy.

Participate in client meetings.

Assist the Marketing Department in preparation of responses to RFPs and RFQs.

Participate in interviews and interview preparation.

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.

Lead a Fixed‑Price Design Build Project after award.

Prepare or oversee preparation of preconstruction schedule with buy‑in from internal departments; interface with owners and designers to maintain schedule; keep internal departments informed of schedule changes; identify the need for multiple GMPs to facilitate the overall project schedule.

Lead the development of cost estimates at all design milestones (10% to 100%).

Understand treatment plant processes and fill in design gaps for the completion of estimates as well as coordination between scopes.

Coordinate the development and review of Self‑Perform Estimates for the following Self‑Perform categories:

Concrete

Misc Metals & FRP Installation

Process Piping

Process Equipment Installation

Earthwork

Underground Piping

Lead the development of a GMP.

Manage the risk identification and mitigation process.

Lead internal McCarthy estimate reviews and project team coordination and status meetings.

Present deliverables to the owner in a complete and organized manner, per the approved guidelines of McCarthy and the requirements of the owner.

Provide alternative solutions taking into consideration cost, schedule, maintenance, and life‑cycle cost implications.

Assist in the prequalification process of trade partners and vendors.

Oversee the establishment and maintenance of budget control during the construction phase of the project.

Attend and represent McCarthy in all design and coordination meetings; on some projects may lead these meetings; maintain an action log for outstanding items and assign responsibility; maintain scope issues log and compile pricing (with assistance from estimating as needed).

Assist project team in design decisions and development of solutions.

Review the project construction schedule and ensure the timely preparation of the General Conditions and coordination of General Conditions with trade packages.

Manage and maintain consistent deliverables in the approved format.

Manage all aspects of risk and define such for the executive team.

Ensure adherence to contractual requirements and strategically meet overall goals by understanding preconstruction and construction contracts and applying knowledge to assigned projects.

Track and manage construction budget between formal estimating periods and keep owner and team abreast of current budget and impact of design decisions.

Act as the team liaison between operations, estimating, and design management.

Lead the development and training of other preconstruction staff.

Manage a relationship management plan with owners and key stakeholders in the markets that we cover.

Build and maintain relationships with design engineers.

Build and maintain solid relationships with subcontractors to obtain a competitive advantage for McCarthy.

Attend industry events and represent McCarthy to the industry in a professional capacity.

Maintain knowledge of cost elements of projects.

Implement all applicable Safety Programs and EEO/Affirmative Action Programs.

Construction Phase

Work with construction teams to maintain dialogue and receive feedback for implementation in future preconstruction efforts.

Monitor productivity, budgets versus actual costs, and labor rates for incorporation into current and future estimates.

Assist 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 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 and practices.

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 or she leads.

Focused on continuous improvement.

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.

Salary Range (California locations only): $175,600 - $184,800 per year. This does not include possible bonus and other benefits which can impact total compensation.

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

PI285501569

#J-18808-Ljbffr