Pre-Construction Director

SCS Engineers • ,

1d • $150,000 - $220,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

SCS is looking for a Pre-Construction Director for our Energy Business Unit. This a leadership role responsible for overseeing the front-end planning, estimating, and strategic development of large-scale environmental and infrastructure projects, with a focus on renewable natural gas (RNG) and landfill gas-to-energy (LFGE) initiatives. This role leads the response to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), ensuring alignment between client expectations, design intent, budget, and execution strategy. The Preconstruction Director plays a pivotal role in winning work, guiding projects through the design phase, and setting the foundation for successful project delivery. This position is client-facing and includes leading preconstruction from early conceptual estimating through subcontract award and contract execution, providing clear, presentation-ready budget narratives and recommendations. For this role you can be remote or hybrid out of any SCS office. There will be travel nationwide, up to 35% for this role.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil, Mechanical, or Environmental Engineering strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in estimating and preconstruction, with at least 5 years in a leadership role required.
• Proven track record of leading successful design-build pursuits and delivering GMP proposals for projects ranging from $20M to $200M.
• Experience managing subcontractor bid processes and building trade partner networks.
• Knowledge of environmental systems and regulatory compliance is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent pursuits/projects, consistently meet deadlines, and produce accurate, high-quality deliverables.
• A strong work ethic and “can-do” attitude; thrives in a collaborative team environment with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with estimating platforms (WinEst, Sage, DESTINI, ProEst), experienced with scheduling platforms (MS Project, Primavera P6) and BIM/VDC workflows.
• Proven ability to interface with clients, negotiate with trade partners, and drive projects from pursuit through construction handoff.
• Valid driver's license with a driving record in good standing required.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of environmental systems and regulatory compliance is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and support cost models, escalation studies, and benchmarking data.
• Lead, review and/or support quantity take-offs, subcontractor pricing, and risk allowances to produce reliable Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) proposals.
• Lead estimating from first conceptual budget through design development, buyout, and subcontract execution, maintaining estimate versions and assumptions through each design iteration.
• Develop variance summaries between estimates as the design evolves and lead value engineering studies to close gaps while protecting scope, quality, and schedule.
• Assemble presentation-ready estimate packages that clearly communicate scope, assumptions, risks/allowances, alternates, escalation, and recommended procurement strategies to owners and internal leadership.
• Review and support value engineering efforts to optimize cost, schedule, and sustainability.
• Collaborate with the project management, engineering, procurement, and construction teams to align technical design with constructability and budget.
• Support design reviews to ensure compliance with contract scope, project budget and schedule.
• Champion Target Value Delivery (TVD) principles and early subcontractor engagement.
• Build and maintain a national database of qualified trade partners across key specialties.
• Champion the project buyout bid/proposal process including scope definition, bid leveling, and subcontractor selection.
• Prepare detailed bidder instructions, trade-specific clarifications, and comprehensive bid packages; solicit bids, manage bidder communications, and perform bid leveling/tabs to support award decisions.
• Make subcontractor award recommendations and lead/coordinate negotiations to finalize scopes, commercial terms, insurance requirements, and damages/liquidated damages exposure prior to subcontract execution.
• Proactively identify lead-time, market, and supply-chain constraints (materials/equipment) and propose innovative alternatives and procurement strategies to mitigate cost and schedule risk.
• Foster strong relationships with specialty contractors in landfill systems, pipeline work, electrical/controls, mechanical, building erecting, and HVAC systems.
• Support development of preconstruction schedules, integrating procurement and construction milestones.
• Conduct constructability reviews and risk assessments to identify and mitigate early-stage project risks.
• Address risks related to design, logistics, permitting, and procurement.
• Serve as the primary point of contact during preconstruction for budget tracking, scheduling, and procurement strategy.
• Partner with business development to shape pursuit strategies, proposals, and client presentations.
• Translate complex technical and regulatory requirements into clear cost and schedule impacts for clients and agencies.
• Support & closely collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of estimators, contract managers, design managers, and schedulers.
• Develop and implement best practices, SOPs, and training programs for preconstruction.
• Promote a culture of ownership, technical excellence, and sustainable project delivery.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
• 100% employer- funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and 401K including employer match
• Annual Bonus Program
• Student Debt Employer Contribution Program
• Paid holidays, PTO and Paid Parental Leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior