Director of Preconstruction

Mechanical Services of Central Florida•Orlando, FL

About The Position

MSI is seeking an experienced Director of Preconstruction to lead its Central Florida preconstruction group. This salaried management position oversees department personnel and processes and directs estimating for conceptual, schematic, design-development, negotiated, design-build, and plan-and-spec opportunities. The role leads a team of preconstruction professionals, sets achievement goals, fosters a positive work environment, and supports employee growth. The Director establishes scalable estimating processes and performance measures, ensures estimates are accurate and aligned with project scope and company margin expectations, and supports a clear transition from estimating to operations after project award. The position reports to the Vice President of Central Florida and coordinates with all departments. MSI is a full-service HVACR contractor focused on energy-efficient systems and describes its work environment as challenging, rewarding, team-oriented, and family-oriented. The company is a Drug Free Workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressive construction estimating and preconstruction experience.
A proven record of managing an estimating department of five or more estimators.
Demonstrated experience leading complex mechanical and specialty contracting estimates and major project pursuits.
In-depth knowledge of HVAC&R systems and related supporting utilities.
Expert knowledge of construction estimating principles, labor productivity, procurement, scheduling, constructability, and preconstruction practices.
Experience with Estimating MEP Software by Trimble.
Advanced ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, contracts, addenda, schedules, and technical documentation.
Strong commercial judgment to evaluate risk, margin, escalation, contingencies, and competitive position.
Strong leadership, coaching, organizational, analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate at executive, customer, and operational levels.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and familiarity with takeoff, estimating, CRM, ERP, scheduling, and document-management platforms.
Ability to manage multiple high-priority pursuits, deadlines, and stakeholders while maintaining accuracy and accountability.
Working knowledge of applicable building codes, safety requirements, industry standards, and market practices.
Safety-first attitude, detail orientation, ambition, motivation, and a desire to continuously improve.
Demonstrated loyalty, integrity, pride, perseverance, accountability, respect, teamwork, and professionalism.
Ability to maintain positive morale, think strategically, consider long-term implications, and identify ways to improve individual or company performance.

Responsibilities

Lead, manage, and develop the preconstruction and estimating department, including workload planning, staffing, performance management, training, succession planning, and accountability.
Provide direct leadership to a department of five or more estimators and establish expectations for quality, responsiveness, accuracy, and professional conduct.
Create scalable estimating processes, procedures, templates, review gates, and approval authorities across branches, markets, and project types.
Mentor estimating leaders and team members and foster collaboration, continuous improvement, and ownership.
Develop departmental goals, key performance indicators, dashboards, and reporting to track hit rate, backlog quality, estimate accuracy, productivity, risk, and profitability.
Direct all phases of preconstruction and estimating for conceptual, schematic, design-development, negotiated, design-build, and plan-and-spec opportunities.
Oversee quantity takeoffs, labor-hour development, equipment and material pricing, subcontractor coverage, general conditions, escalation, contingencies, and final estimate reconciliation.
Lead estimate reviews, bid strategy meetings, risk assessments, go/no-go decisions, and executive approval presentations for major pursuits.
Ensure estimates are complete, competitive, technically sound, properly documented, and aligned with scope, schedule, contract requirements, and company margin expectations.
Validate estimate assumptions and exclusions and ensure a clear turnover from estimating to operations after award.
Oversee change-order pricing standards and support operations on major scope, schedule, and commercial issues as required.
Follow applicable safety, health, and loss-prevention rules, practices, procedures, and instructions, and remain attentive to potential hazards.