MEP Preconstruction Director

About Alston Construction:

Alston Construction Company is a nationwide general contractor, with more than 20 offices coast to coast. For over 35 years we have delivered on our promises to our employees, clients, and business partners. We offer extremely competitive salaries, a superb benefits package, and a great place to work! In addition to routinely receiving awards for our projects and safety performance, we have also received numerous “Best Places to Work” awards!

We look for passionate construction professionals who share our core values, to include: commitment, integrity, teamwork, and respect. As our CEO, Paul Little, says “In order to be successful at Alston Construction, you must enjoy seeing success in others.” If this sounds like you and what you’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you!

Our top tier benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, prescription safety glasses, short-term disability, long-term disability, life  insurance/AD&D, HSA, health FSA, dependent daycare FSA, EAP, 401(k), Roth  401(k), After-Tax Roth In-Plan Conversion; paid vacation and sick time, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, Tickets at Work, paid Identity Theft Protection (family coverage) and more!

Job Summary:   Responsible for assisting management in the general business operations of the company by the daily management, supervision, coordination, and successful completion of the preconstruction phase of projects focusing on MEP.  In addition, the MEP Preconstruction Director will assist with business development and may also be responsible for the mentoring, development, and training of other Preconstruction or Estimating staff.  The overall goal of the MEP Preconstruction Director is to provide a thorough, accurate, and competitive proposal that will result in the award of a profitable project.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The MEP Preconstruction Director will be primarily involved with performing the following duties and responsibilities.

- Use discretion and independent judgment and professional skills to perform daily duties and to resolve issues in order to minimize risk to the company.

Estimating:

- Provide thorough, accurate and competitive cost estimates for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and systems through all phases of design, from concept to construction and permit documents.

- Identify value-engineered alternatives relating to construction methods, materials, schedule, and design.

- Determine proposal specifications and the scope of work by reviewing drawings, attending and/or managing bid and preconstruction meetings, etc.

- Analyze and document cost analysis from historical projects, purchase orders, contracts, and cost reports for future use in incorporating into estimates. Create and maintain regional CPIs for all projects as it pertains to MEP scopes.

- Provide design assistance and cost data regarding project feasibility to the client, design professionals, and project team.

- Prepare bid packages and provide leadership and coordination on bid solicitation and RFP’s.

- Develop scopes of work for all MEP and system
sub-trades prior to and during bid solicitation.

- Perform takeoffs of multiple trades to minimize Alston Construction’s cost risks.

- Analyze proposals from subcontractors for cost, scope and completeness to determine award of work.

- Identify and qualify new subcontractors to ensure an adequate number of qualified and financially sound subcontractors are available and to expand bid solicitation coverage

- Negotiate price with qualified subcontractors.

- Organize and lead the transition of the project cost estimate to the Project Manager

- Assist the Project Manager with pricing and negotiating owner and subcontractor change orders.

- Maintain detailed records of working documents as a back-up for estimates figures, including assumptions made for conceptual designs.

- Update and maintain subcontractor and design consultant database.

Sales:

- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with prospective and current clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors.

- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Company’s services to assist in identifying applicable potential new clients and projects.

- Identify new work opportunities and advise VP/GM and/or SVP/RM of potential projects with existing and new clients and lead or participate in the pursuit of project leads.

- Conduct or participate in presentations to clients

- Maintain a detailed pipeline of clients and projects in Prophet, including status of opportunities and analysis/reasons for wins/losses.

Other:

- Provide assistance and evaluations to Risk Management and the VP/GM and/or the SVP/RM regarding potential contract, cost, construction feasibility, and insurance risks.

- Review subcontracts, prior to issuance to the subcontractor, for compliance with the documents and estimate.

- Manage design team through the development of permit documents.

- Make recommendations for ways to improve business operations (including processes, procedures and best operating practices), looking for ways to increase client satisfaction, improve efficiency and improve profitability.

- Make recommendations in filling new positions.

- Mentor, develop and train other Preconstruction and Estimating staff as requested by VP/GM and/or SVP/RM; provide constructive feedback.

- Take initiative to develop and encourage professional growth in others; work with management to identify staff development needs.

This position will also require performance of the following duties:

- Participate in applicable corporate meetings and forums.

- Other duties as assigned.

Safety:

- Comply with all safety policies, report suspected safety concerns, make recommendations for enhancements to the safety program, and visibly support and uphold the company’s strong safety culture.

- Remain current in all company required safety training and certifications.

- Acknowledge and celebrate safe behaviors and actions of others.

Personal:

- Understand and work within the accepted ethical standards of the company.

- Proactively support and encourage diversity on projects and team. Visibly support and promote fair and equal treatment and opportunity for all.

- Remain current in all company required training and certifications.

- Stay abreast of changes in the industry, best practices, and other industry information (including changes/trends in methods of construction and materials, construction costs, skilled construction labor and material availability and/or shortages, wage rates, fringes, working rules, and construction software and technology).

- Continuously find ways to take on challenges, increase skills and capacity, and improve knowledge and performance.

Education, Experience, and Licensing/Certifications:

- Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field or equivalent experience.

- Minimum of 15 years of experience successfully estimating (conceptual and hard bid) MEP scopes for construction projects for a general contractor or MEP contractor.

- Minimum 5 years of experience estimating MEP systems for large scale Data Center projects.

- An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

- Design-build experience on relevant project types.

- Experience with Building Connected and Accubid.

- Experience in value-engineering.

- Valid State-issued driver’s license and vehicle insurance which meets Alston Construction liability coverage requirements and satisfactory driving record.

- OSHA 10-hour Certification.

- First Aid/CPR Certification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

- Ability to estimate costs associated with technical tasks and thorough knowledge of estimating techniques, cost control systems and accounts.

- Thorough understanding of multiple project delivery types, including Design-Build, CM at Risk, CM not at Risk, General Contractor (hard bid and negotiated), etc.

- Thorough understanding of multiple contract delivery methods, including lump sum, guaranteed maximum price (GMP), cost-plus, etc.

- Strong industry contact relationships and the ability to identify and secure profitable new business.

- Strong mathematical and analytical skills.

- Ability to maximize profitability and successfully balance the needs and expectations of the client while maintaining the Firm’s standards and reputation and mitigating risks.

- Ability to exercise initiative and to work well with discretion and sound independent judgment with minimal supervision, as well as in a team environment.

- Ability to mentor and develop capabilities in others.

- Ability to effectively handle stress and stressful situations.

- Thorough understanding of job task sequencing/critical timeline scheduling

- Ability to read and understand drawings, specifications, maps, surveys, mechanical and electrical sheets, project schedules, cost reports, and other construction documents; understanding of contract provisions which address scope of work and design criteria.

- Understanding of all local, state, federal and company safety and environmental regulations, codes, and requirements related to the construction industry; ability to impart knowledge to others.

- Good knowledge of all sub trades and their relationship and impact on each other.

- Ability to exercise initiative and sound independent judgment, define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make timely decisions.

- Creative problem-solver; willing to try several approaches when initial solution fails.

- Excellent skills in organization, time management, planning, and prioritization.

- Proactive and readily adaptable to changing conditions or demands and ability to work well under pressure and with tight deadlines.

- Effective communication skills (written and verbal) and presentation skills.

- Professional demeanor and effective interpersonal skills; ability to successfully interface with and to maintain good working relationships with clients, co-workers, managers, subcontractors, vendors, and others.

- Good negotiation skills.

- Proficiency in computers, Phoenix, Word, Excel and Outlook, CMiC, Estimating Takeoff Software (eg. On Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, etc.), and Cost Estimating Software (e.g. DESTINI Estimator).

Physical Requirements:

- Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and reach.

- Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, climb or crawl.

- Occasionally lift 10 lbs.

- Extensive computer use and reading from documents and computer. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

- Repetitive use of keyboard and mouse, extensive reading from documents and computer.

- Willingness and ability to work extended hours and flexible schedules, including evenings and weekends.

- Willingness and ability to travel.

Work Environment

- The majority of the Preconstruction Director’s duties and responsibilities take place in the office; however, office and non-manual work in the field is also required.

- Will be exposed to outside weather elements while in the field.

- May be exposed to loud noises, fumes, and/or airborne particles while in the field.

- Dress, including proper PPE, is conducive to a building construction environment.

Alston Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer.