Director of Preconstruction

Director of Preconstruction – Water/Wastewater

Southern California | Heavy Civil Construction

Metric has been retained by an established heavy civil contractor to appoint a Director of Preconstruction for its water and wastewater business in Southern California.

This is an opportunity to lead preconstruction strategy for complex treatment plants, pump stations and associated infrastructure. Working closely with executive leadership and operations, you will shape project pursuits, lead the estimating team and help drive the business’s continued growth.

The Role

• Lead preconstruction from initial opportunity review through estimating, negotiations and handover to operations.
• Develop pursuit strategies, conceptual budgets and detailed estimates for major water and wastewater projects.
• Oversee pricing for self-performed scopes, including earthwork, structural concrete, underground utilities and process piping.
• Lead and develop the estimating and preconstruction team across multiple concurrent pursuits.
• Collaborate with owners and design partners on constructability, value engineering, scheduling and cost planning.
• Support hard-bid, design-build, progressive design-build and CMAR opportunities.
• Review subcontractor and supplier proposals, identify scope gaps and assess commercial risk.
• Present final pricing, assumptions and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Build relationships with municipal owners, engineers, subcontractors and equipment suppliers.

Your Background

• Extensive estimating and preconstruction experience with a heavy civil general contractor.
• A proven track record pricing and pursuing water and wastewater treatment projects.
• Experience leading teams and overseeing complex bids from initial review through award.
• Strong understanding of self-performed construction, production rates and project delivery.
• Experience with alternative delivery methods and working collaboratively with design teams.
• Strong commercial judgment and the ability to challenge assumptions, manage risk and develop competitive estimates.
• Southern California market knowledge preferred.
• Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering or a related discipline preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Why Consider This Role?

A senior leadership position with direct influence over project selection, pursuit strategy and the development of the preconstruction team, delivering essential water infrastructure across Southern California.