Preconstruction Director

ABOUT US:    

We are a nationally ranked, safety-focused, and talent-driven organization focused on delivering project management services through tailored delivery models. Our strength is our ability to match a delivery model to specific project needs, making the construction process feel easy.   

Our foundation is built on our people, culture, and values. Our teammates come first. We support each other through successes and failures and respect each other's ideas and opinions. We are a people-first company. We know there is always a way to do it better, so we seek and nurture curious minds with a desire to solve problems and move forward by being creative and curious together. We celebrate each other's successes and acknowledge hard work, because we know our people are the backbone of our success. #BetterTogether!   

Leading with safety is our no. 1 priority. We believe it is a fundamental human right to have a safe workplace, so we dedicate ourselves to creating safe environments for our people and everyone we do business with.  

In addition to a positive atmosphere, a happy, healthy, and supportive work environment is especially important. Upon joining CSM Group we will provide you with a robust onboarding program to expose you to broad aspects of the organization by meeting with operations, business leaders and peers to better understand how we operate.   

We invest considerable time and effort in selecting the right people for our team. We equip you with the tools necessary to provide superior service for our clients. We do this by utilizing StrengthsFinder2.0 and DISC assessment tools to help our people to understand themselves and their teammates and how they work. Along with ongoing training opportunities, team-building activities, wellness programs and an annual company Summit we are dedicated to helping our people by investing in their future. This is where you come in… 

SUMMARY: 

As Preconstruction Director, you are accountable for the successful development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the early stages of projects, with heavy focus on planning, estimating, scheduling and scoping. You will influence all preconstruction processes, procedures and tools across CSM Group business units, setting yearly and long-term strategies to ensure projects are launched seamlessly for clients, trade partners and employees. You will work with the Project & Program Services (PPS) and Construction leadership teams delivering consistent and fit-for-purpose preconstruction services across crucial market sectors (e.g., Education, Healthcare, Technology, Life Sciences, Industrial Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, and Energy & Renewables) across the US. You will lead, mentor and coach team members on the development and transition of projects from front end engineering and design stages to construction.

As Preconstruction Director, you are the custodian and steward of the CSM Gate process. You are responsible for consistent and standardized service delivery of preconstruction activities, working closely with Project/Construction Managers. Each of the project controls functional leads (Estimating, Planning and Scheduling,) will report into this role to ensure projects are set up for success.

This position requires a technical understanding of project management, construction management, bidding/procurement processes, estimating, planning, scheduling and scoping. You will interact with owners, subcontractors, architects, and engineers to facilitate collaboration and communication during the entire lifecycle of the projects from FEED to execution and closeout to keep the continuous improvement of project delivery.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Preconstruction. This is a full-time FLSA-exempt position. This position requires 40 work hours per week with the ability to work more if needed (depending on workload and critical deliverables).

Some travel may be required for client meetings, job site partnership and walk-throughs.

• Able to handle difficult employee situations directly, using appropriate discretion, advice from People Operations and respect for the individual
•  Evaluate the performance of direct reports and provide training, coaching, and counseling as necessary.
•  Make recommendations for hiring, termination, salary increases, promotion and disciplinary actions within the scope of your team
•  Participate in all programs and enforce all policies relating to performance evaluations and career development planning
•  Manage the development of teams by ensuring that project tasks align with each member’s skills and interests
•  Create an environment where staff can successfully achieve professional career path goals
•  Hold consistent 1:1 meetings with direct supports and regular team meetings to drive communication, engagement and support

• Promote and follow CSM Group health and safety (H&S) policies and be fully committed to implementing H&S culture across preconstruction program
• Lead and manage the bidding process (pre-bid/bid/post bid/award) on CM At-Risk and Design/Build projects
• Attends and at times leads pre-bid walkthroughs and post-bid interviews
• Ensures thorough review of engineering and design documents, plans, and project schedules
• Ensures thorough review and issuance of addenda or other pre-bid communications from the design team
• Build strong relationships with clients, contractors, and stakeholders, ensuring alignment and satisfaction throughout pre-construction.
• Understand client and project delivery expectations, requirements and requested deliverables
• Attends pre-construction meetings and site walkthroughs, providing input on planning, safety, and constructability
• Assist in early identification of long lead items, resource constraints, and required project start dates
• Reviews and analyzes bids for completeness and accuracy
• Engage from the early initiate stage (from the pursuit stage in HubSpot) on projects
• Assists Marketing & Execution Teams in RFP Review & Proposal Development
• Accountable for the development of:
• Construction schedules
• Work scopes
• Bid Strategies
• Bidders lists, project manuals and other project documentation.
• Provide overall direction, coordination, and evaluation to your team, project leaders, trade contractors and business partners
• Act as custodian of CSM Group gate process and be accountable for its continuous improvement
• Participate in the use, development and improvement of CSM Group’s reporting systems
• Ensure that permitting plan and permit logs are in place
• Ensure consistency of Document Management guidelines
• Ensure that contracts, agreements, bonds, insurances, and other general requirements are clear and in place as part of the preconstruction stage
• Work with the cost estimating lead by reviewing the status of the project cost estimate to include all phases of project execution from design/engineering, material/equipment procurement and deliveries, construction contracts through start-up activities and closeout
• Work with planning/scheduling teams to develop, manage, revise, and update integrated detailed project schedules including all project lifecycle
• Ensure that change management and contingency usage processes are in place to manage known unknowns and potential deviations during the project delivery stage
• Be accountable for standardized work breakdown structure aligning cost estimate, master schedules, progress and cost reporting
• Recommend improvements in systems, tools, and methods of project controls and project management
• Assist in analyzing project requirements as part of the bid review process to ensure all expectations are incorporated into individual Project Manuals, contracts, and purchase orders
• Monitor and track key performance indicators monthly
• Recruit and effectively onboard diverse, top talent for the team as needed
• Maintain awareness and keep track of state-of-the-art and innovative emerging industry practices responding to new trends regarding pre-bid/ bid/post bid, program management, cost management, estimating/planning/scheduling, risk management
• Answers bidder requests for information (BRFI’s) and issuing of clarifications
• Able to handle difficult employee situations directly, using appropriate discretion, advice from People Operations and respect for the individual
• Evaluate the performance of direct reports and provide training, coaching, and counseling as necessary.
• Make recommendations for hiring, termination, salary increases, promotion and disciplinary actions within the scope of your team
• Participate in all programs and enforce all policies relating to performance evaluations and career development planning
• Manage the development of teams by ensuring that project tasks align with each member’s skills and interests
• Create an environment where staff can successfully achieve professional career path goals
• Hold consistent 1:1 meetings with direct supports and regular team meetings to drive communication, engagement and support

• Develops Talent
• You place a high priority on developing others
• You develop others through coaching, feedback, exposure, and stretch assignments
• You align employees career development goals with organizational objectives
• You encourage people to accept developmental moves
• Drives Results
• You have a strong bottom-line orientation
• You persist in accomplishing objectives despite obstacles and setbacks
• You have a track record of exceeding goals successfully
• You push yourself and help others achieve results
• Manages Complexity
• You ask the right questions to accurately analyze situations
• You acquire data from multiple and diverse sources when solving problems
• You uncover root causes to difficult problems
• You evaluate pros and cons, risks and benefits of different solution options
• Optimizes Work Processes
• You identify and create the processes necessary to get work done
• You separate and combine activities into efficient workflow
• You design processes and procedures that allow managing from a distance
• You seek ways to improve processes, from small tweaks to complete reengineering
• Plans and Aligns
• You set objectives to align with broader organizational goals
• You break down objectives into appropriate initiatives and actions
• You stage activities with relevant milestones and schedules
• You anticipate and adjust effective contingency plans

• 4 Year College Degree in Construction Management, Project Management or Engineering (or equivalent field experience)
• OSHA 10- hour certification
• Ten plus years of experience in preconstruction, construction management, project management, or a project controls-related field
• Five plus years of experience leading people and team(s)
• Strong people, leadership, and communication skills are necessary to interface with external engineering, architectural and construction firms, suppliers, management teams and other groups within our client organizations
• Drive change effectively and manage the implementation of new ideas
• Highly articulate, clear, and analytical approach to problem-solving
• Working knowledge of industry-standard software, including Procore, Primavera-6 and MS Office Suite
• Self-motivated team player
• Ability to see the overall requirements of client satisfaction without losing sight of details

• Medical, Dental & Vision Package
• Eligibility begins date of hire
• Telemedicine included in benefit package at no additional charge to employee
• Company provided annual HSA contributions
• Dependent care FSA, Medical FSA, Limited care FSA
• Unlimited Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• 6 Paid U.S. Holidays
• 2 Paid Floating Holidays
• Employees hired on or after July 1 will receive 1 Floating holiday that year.
• Retirement Savings Plan 401(k)
• Employees have the option to contribute to Traditional and/or Roth 401(k) plans.
• Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
• Individual & group learning sessions on portfolio planning
• 100% vesting after 3 years of service
• Bi-weekly cell phone stipend
• Employer Paid Enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Including but not limited to: Emotional well-being, family and relationships, legal and financial matters, healthy lifestyles, work and life transitions
• Access to EAP professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• 3 face-to-face sessions with a counselor (per area of support per household per calendar year)
• Service includes eligible dependents
• Personal, competency-based development program to assist in future career growth
• Wellness Program
• Paid Parental Leave Policy: Maternal, Paternal & Adoption
• Company Paid Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Optional Term Life and AD&D Insurance 
• Annual apparel allotment
• Corporate and Community Events