Director of Preconstruction

Mechanical Services of Central Florida, Inc.•Orlando, FL

About The Position

MSI is a full-service HVACR contractor providing energy-efficient air-conditioning services from concept through completion, including maintenance and repair. The Director of Preconstruction leads MSI’s Central Florida Preconstruction group and oversees its personnel, processes, and estimating work. The role directs estimating for conceptual, schematic, design-development, negotiated, design-build, and plan-and-spec opportunities, and provides leadership to a team of preconstruction personnel. It also establishes department goals and scalable processes, promotes employee growth, and supports project handoffs and operations on significant commercial issues. The position is salaried and reports to the Vice President of Central Florida.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressive construction estimating and preconstruction experience.
Proven experience 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 communication with executive, customer, and operational audiences.
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.
Strong attention to detail, motivation, and commitment to continuous improvement, accountability, teamwork, and professional conduct.

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 set expectations for quality, responsiveness, accuracy, and professional conduct.
Develop estimating processes, procedures, templates, review gates, and approval authorities across branches, markets, and project types.
Mentor team members and estimating leaders, fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and ownership.
Develop departmental goals, key performance indicators, dashboards, and reporting on hit rate, backlog quality, estimate accuracy, productivity, risk, and profitability.
Direct 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 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, 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 needed.
Observe applicable safety, health, and loss-prevention rules, practices, procedures, and instructions, and take responsibility for personal, coworker, and community safety.