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Preconstruction Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Preconstruction Director

San Jose, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Description PRECONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR - DATA CENTERS This position can be based out of our San Jose, CA or San Francisco, CA office. About ArchKey ArchKey is one of the nation's largest privately held ...

Preconstruction Director

San Jose, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

PRECONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR - DATA CENTERS This position can be based out of our San Jose, CA or San Francisco, CA office. About ArchKey ArchKey is one of the nation's largest privately held specialty ...

Preconstruction Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

PRECONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR - DATA CENTERS This position can be based out of our San Jose, CA or San Francisco, CA office. About ArchKey ArchKey is one of the nation's largest privately held specialty ...

Preconstruction Director

San Jose, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Description PRECONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR - DATA CENTERS This position can be based out of our San Jose, CA or San Francisco, CA office. About ArchKey ArchKey is one of the nation's largest privately held ...

Preconstruction Director

San Jose, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

PRECONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR - DATA CENTERS This position can be based out of our San Jose, CA or San Francisco, CA office. About ArchKey ArchKey is one of the nation's largest privately held specialty ...

Preconstruction Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

PRECONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR - DATA CENTERS This position can be based out of our San Jose, CA or San Francisco, CA office. About ArchKey ArchKey is one of the nation's largest privately held specialty ...

Preconstruction Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Preconstruction Director Required Qualifications: * 12+ years full time relevant industry experience * 10+ years demonstrated experience with commercial construction estimating and estimating ...

Preconstruction Director

San Francisco, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Preconstruction Director Required Qualifications: * 12+ years full time relevant industry experience * 10+ years demonstrated experience with commercial construction estimating and estimating ...

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Showing results 1-20

Preconstruction Director information

See California salary details

$89.6K

$151K

$197.3K

How much do preconstruction director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for preconstruction director in California is $151,046.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $132,195.00 and $172,833.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a preconstruction director do?

A Preconstruction Director oversees the planning and coordination of construction projects before actual building begins. They are responsible for budgeting, estimating costs, managing design development, and identifying potential risks early in the process. Their role involves close collaboration with clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors to ensure that projects are feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with the client's goals. By managing timelines and resources during the preconstruction phase, they help set the foundation for successful project delivery.

How does a preconstruction director typically collaborate with project stakeholders during the early stages of a construction project?

A Preconstruction Director works closely with clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors to align project goals, budgets, and timelines before construction begins. They lead meetings to review design documents, identify potential risks, and suggest value engineering solutions to optimize costs and efficiency. Frequent communication and coordination are essential to ensure all parties are on the same page and that the project is set up for success once it transitions to the construction phase.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a preconstruction director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Preconstruction Director, you need a strong background in construction management, cost estimating, and project planning, often supported by a degree in construction, engineering, or a related field. Expertise with estimating software (like Bluebeam or ProEst), scheduling tools (such as Primavera P6), and knowledge of building codes or LEED certification are typically required. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills set outstanding professionals apart by enabling effective collaboration with clients, subcontractors, and internal teams. These skills ensure accurate project budgeting, streamlined planning, and successful project delivery from inception to execution.

What is the difference between Preconstruction Director vs Estimator?

AspectPreconstruction DirectorEstimator
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, or related field; extensive industry experienceOften requires a degree or diploma in construction, engineering, or related field; strong analytical skills
Work EnvironmentOversees preconstruction teams, manages client relationships, and coordinates project planningPrepares detailed cost estimates, analyzes project specifications, and collaborates with project teams
Industry UsageUsed in large construction firms, project management, and executive planningCommonly employed in estimating firms, contractors, and project bidding processes

The Preconstruction Director focuses on overall project planning, client coordination, and team management, while the Estimator specializes in preparing detailed cost estimates. Both roles are essential in the preconstruction phase but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Preconstruction jobs in California?

The most popular types of Preconstruction jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Preconstruction Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Preconstruction Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Preconstruction Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,046 per year, or $72.6 per hour.

Preconstruction Director

ArchKey Solutions LLC

San Jose, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Description

PRECONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR – DATA CENTERS
This position can be based out of our San Jose, CA or San Francisco, CA office.

About ArchKey

ArchKey is one of the nation’s largest privately held specialty trade installation and integrated facility service companies. We are a leader in designing, building and maintaining electrical, technologies and specialty systems. We’re the POWER behind making the improbable possible.

We’re electrifying the nation, energizing the future and bringing communities to life like never before. What we do today shapes the vision of tomorrow. Our work impacts lives long after the building is done. This means we are committed to building in ways that are not just technologically advanced, but sustainable, scalable and equitable by all. We’re not just energizing infrastructure, we’re energizing careers, communities, and the future.  

Made up of the brightest minds in the industry, our team is our greatest asset, bringing knowledge, skills, and experience to every project. This is more than a call to join us, it’s an invitation to be part of a visionary journey, to grow with us as we scale.  

About the Position

As a Preconstruction Director, you will be responsible for qualifying, cultivating, generating and fostering Data Center opportunities for the Company. Once those opportunities are qualified and obtained, this role ensures optimum financial positioning occurs. This position has complete oversite and responsibility for the teams that manage all preconstruction deliverables including estimates, design assistance, engineering, scope development, constructability, scheduling, overall execution strategy, JV creations, UBE plan, subcontractor solicitation, contract terms negotiations, long lead procurement, and initial billing associated with large scale Data Center projects and ensures thorough, exemplary customer communications and project results are achieved.

Our Ideal Candidate

  • Is a proven leader, able to hire, coach, and develop a strong team of high performers.
  • Has strong negotiation, conflict management, and persuasion skills, able to influence at all levels of the organization.
  • Is an exceptional communicator, able to build strong internal and external business partner relationships while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Day in the Life

  • Directs and supervises the preconstruction managers who are responsible for each opportunity for quality and accuracy of work. This includes all preconstruction deliverables including estimates, design assistance, engineering, scope development, constructability, scheduling, overall execution strategy, JV creation, UBE plan, subcontractor solicitation, contract terms negotiations, long lead procurement, and initial billing performing estimates and bidding, assisting with establishing goals and communicating expected standards of performance and quality for others. Manages the interview procurement process.
  • Determines which projects to pursue, based upon operational capacity, opportunity for cross-selling, strategic geographic opportunity for future growth.
  • Ensures preconstruction management team partners with design department on design/build and design/assist projects to assure the project is designed to optimal achievable cost within the allotted budget. Manages preconstruction managers project workloads/specializations and provides problem resolution advice for preconstruction managers. Performs regular project risk assessment and mitigation.
  • Supports preconstruction managers in planning, reviews, and helps coordinate all assigned preconstruction deliverables to maximize time and efficiency while delivering promises to customers and co-workers.
  • Works with preconstruction managers to determine general expenses, labor rates, scope and other elements associated with the opportunities. Provides a detailed and comprehensive value analysis to the project team. Responsible for ensuring that all preconstruction deliverables are written appropriately and fulfilled to the customer’s and/or the company’s conditions for timing and quality satisfaction.
  • Develops and maintains exemplary client and subcontractor relationships and conducts high-quality business development activities regularly. Supports the preconstruction managers who provide incremental cost analysis and scope updates for clients during the preconstruction phase. Maintains confidentiality of all client pricing and intellectual property.
  • Creates and manages an annual Get and Complete budget and maintains some level of responsibility for companywide backlog.
  • Build strategic and effective relationships with customers, project teams, specialist contractors, vendors, suppliers, user groups and others that reflect and support the company’s core values and meet or exceed the customer’s expectations.
  • Provides regular and high-quality hiring, communications, mentoring, coaching, problem-solving and training for staff and other co-workers at all levels as needed. Advises and coaches employees and provides performance feedback regularly.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in engineering, construction management, building construction, architecture, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.             
  • Minimum 10+ years of electrical construction experience in estimating, common code requirements, and design/build estimating and preconstruction with a concentration in large commercial construction projects. Previous experience with field installation helpful. Minimum 5 years of experience directly managing people.             
  • Preferably 4-5 years of experience in hands-on project management. Extensive skills and experience in project management leadership. Thorough understanding of the project life cycle.             
  • Extensive experience with value analysis in all market segments and in-depth trade knowledge. Experience with computerized estimating software, preferably Accubid. Strong conceptual estimating skills, and experience in reviewing estimates for accuracy and completeness. Experience and skill in establishing budgets, business negotiation and vendor communication.             
  • Knowledge of building construction, materials, costs, systems, market conditions/trends, trade practices and regional differences. Must have extensive knowledge of the electrical code and skills to read, interpret and understand electrical contracts, plans, drawings, blueprints and specifications and financial documents. Strong technical understanding of electrical systems.             
  • Strong visionary strategic leadership and communication skills for employee groups at all levels, customers, subcontractors, vendors, and other community leaders. Exceptional business development, relationship building and client communication skills.             
  • Excellent written, verbal, listening, presentation, negotiation, conflict management and persuasion skills, and the ability to influence employees at all levels, including senior management.             
  • Exceptional ability to coach, mentor, motivate and develop front line and senior level management, providing support to build highly performing, highly engaged teams and providing organizational and leadership guidance through periods of significant transition. Strong collaboration, teamwork, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work with and facilitate diverse work teams.             

Travel

  • Approximately 50% of travel is expected and required.
Salary Range
  • $152,500 – $198,200 annually, based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits 

At ArchKey Solutions, our benefits package includes competitive health insurance options (medical, dental, and vision), a robust 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, paid time off and holidays, and access to wellness programs. Additionally, we offer professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and employee assistance programs to support your growth and well-being. We ensure that our benefits are designed to promote the health, security, and work-life balance of our employees. Additional information is available at Archkey.com.

 Legal & Fraud Disclaimer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. We are an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. #CA30-1

Beware of fraudulent job postings. ArchKey Solutions only communicates through official channels. All official communication will come from an @archkey.com email address and we will never ask for financial information, payments, or personal details outside of the standard hiring process. To confirm the legitimacy of a job, visit our careers page or reach out to a member of our Talent Acquisition team.