Director of Pre-Construction in Austin

Director of Pre-Construction (Confidential Company) About the Role

As the Director of Pre-Construction, you’ll lead the day‑to‑day execution of pre‑construction efforts across estimating, pursuits, and early project planning. You’ll play a critical role in how opportunities are evaluated, priced, and set up for success before they ever hit the field.

This is a hands‑on leadership role, not just overseeing the process, but actively engaging in estimating, reviewing numbers, and shaping pursuit strategy. You’ll be expected to own the integrity of estimates, challenge assumptions, and ensure what is sold is both competitive and executable.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives at the intersection of business development, estimating, and construction execution, someone who can zoom out to see the big picture, but also dive deep into the details that drive accurate pricing and strong outcomes.

• Lead pre‑construction execution: Drive consistency, accountability, and quality across estimating, pursuits, and early‑stage planning.
• Own estimating performance: Actively review, validate, and contribute to estimates—ensuring accuracy in takeoffs, pricing, labor, and risk assumptions. Step in on key bids to build or refine estimates directly when needed.
• Oversee major pursuits: Lead strategy, reviews, and final alignment on high‑impact or complex bids, ensuring strong positioning, competitive pricing, and clear win strategy.
• Connect BD, estimating, and operations: Partner closely with business development to qualify opportunities, define pursuit strategy, and align on go/no‑go decisions based on both market and operational realities.
• Drive value engineering and constructability: Identify cost‑saving opportunities, alternative approaches, and practical solutions that improve both competitiveness and execution.
• Connect pricing to execution: Ensure estimates reflect real‑world conditions by partnering with Project Management, Field Operations, BIM/VDC, and Fabrication teams.
• Guide early project planning: Support constructability reviews, logistics planning, schedule input, risk identification, and high‑level budgeting.
• Improve systems and workflows: Continuously refine estimating tools, templates, and processes to improve accuracy, efficiency, and visibility.
• Monitor pipeline and performance: Track hit rates, backlog health, and forecasting accuracy to inform smarter decision‑making.
• Build and develop the team: Coach estimators and pre‑construction team members, raising the bar on both technical estimating skills and strategic thinking.
• Represent Capital externally: Build strong relationships with owners, GCs, vendors, and design partners to strengthen our reputation and pipeline.
• Lead strategic growth initiatives: Identify new markets, capabilities, or differentiators that strengthen CI’s position in the industry.
• Work as one team: Support other company wide operational priorities.

• 10–15+ years of experience in pre‑construction, estimating, or operations within mechanical, plumbing, or specialty construction.
• Strong estimating background with the ability to build, review, and challenge estimates at a detailed level.
• Proven experience leading or heavily influencing major pursuits and bid strategy.
• Deep understanding of construction systems, costing, labor, and risk analysis.
• Ability to connect pricing decisions to real‑world execution.
• Strong collaboration skills across BD, PMs, and field teams.
• A hands‑on, solutions‑oriented mindset, you don’t just review work, you improve it.
• Alignment with Capital’s values: accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.

• Experience leading both estimating and pursuit strategy.
• Experience in MEP or complex mechanical/plumbing projects.
• Familiarity with estimating software, digital takeoff tools, or BIM/VDC integration.

• You own the number, not just the process:
  This role isn’t just reviewing estimates, you’re accountable for the quality, accuracy, and competitiveness of what we put out the door.
• True blend of BD, estimating, and operations:
  You’ll sit at the center of how we win work, connecting opportunity, pricing, and execution into one cohesive strategy.
• Real influence on what we build:
  You’ll help decide which projects we pursue, how we price them, and how we set them up for success.
• Built for someone who wants to be in it:
  This is not a purely strategic or people‑management role, you’ll stay close to the work and the details that matter.
• Opportunity to shape the function:
  We’re growing, and this role will directly impact how our pre‑construction function evolves.

• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health/Vision/Dental insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional growth opportunities