Recruitment Consultant at MKL Careers | Specializing in Construction Sector Recruitment
Director of Preconstruction – Multifamily & DSA Education
Location: Irvine, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time | Onsite
Project Type: Multifamily, K-12, and Higher Education Construction
Position Overview
A leading Southern California general contractor is seeking an experienced Director of Preconstruction to lead estimating and preconstruction efforts for multifamily and DSA education projects in the Irvine market. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing conceptual estimating, budgeting, value engineering, and client engagement while supporting business development and strategic growth initiatives.
The ideal candidate brings strong experience in ground-up multifamily and DSA-regulated school construction, along with the leadership ability to manage teams and maintain strong relationships with owners, developers, architects, and school districts.
Key Responsibilities
Preconstruction Leadership
Lead all preconstruction and estimating activities from conceptual design through GMP development.
Oversee budgeting, quantity takeoffs, cost analysis, and value engineering efforts.
Develop and implement preconstruction strategies to support successful project delivery.
Review plans and specifications for constructability, logistics, and risk analysis.
Multifamily & DSA Expertise
Manage preconstruction efforts for multifamily, podium, wrap, and mixed-use residential projects.
Lead budgeting and planning for DSA-regulated K-12 and higher education projects.
Ensure compliance with public works and DSA standards during preconstruction phases.
Client Relations & Business Development
Build and maintain strong relationships with developers, school districts, architects, and consultants.
Participate in interviews, proposals, and project pursuits.
Support strategic growth initiatives and help secure repeat business opportunities.
Operational & Team Leadership
Lead and mentor estimators, preconstruction managers, and support staff.
Collaborate closely with operations, project management, and executive leadership teams.
Establish best practices and standardization across preconstruction efforts.
Financial & Strategic Oversight
Support bid strategy, subcontractor engagement, and procurement planning.
Monitor market trends, escalation factors, and subcontractor pricing.
Provide executive-level reporting and forecasting support.
Qualifications
10–15+ years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or operations leadership.
Strong experience with multifamily and DSA/K-12 construction projects.
Deep understanding of conceptual estimating, GMP development, and value engineering.