Senior Preconstruction and Estimating Manager, Power Market

Best People + Right Culture. These are the driving forces behind JE Dunn’s success.

By hiring inspired people, giving them interesting and challenging work, enabling them with innovative tools, and letting them share in the company’s rewards, we’ve found a sustainable way to grow in our industry for the last 100+ years.

Our diverse teams around the country strive to enrich lives through inspired people and places everyday, and we need inspired people like you to join us in our pursuit of building perfection.

JE Dunn’s Advanced Facilities Group (AFG) combines Mission Critical, Advanced Industries, and Industrial & Manufacturing into one high-performing team focused on cutting-edge work to serve innovative clients on large Industrial & Manufacturing, Data Center, and Semiconductor projects. As part of the Advanced Facilities team, you'll work on some of the most advanced construction projects across the country, growing your career alongside our diverse team of industry professionals.

Role Summary

The Senior Preconstruction and Estimating Manager, Power Market will play a critical role in shaping and advancing our presence within the natural gas and thermal power generation market. This leader oversees the full preconstruction process, ensuring the development of accurate, strategic, and competitive estimates that support project pursuits and position the company for long-term success. In addition to managing estimating, cost modeling, trade partner engagement/procurement, and early project strategy, they will collaborate closely with operations, business development, engineering partners, OEMs, and key industry stakeholders to ensure alignment with client expectations, project risk profiles, and commercial objectives.

As we expand our footprint in the power market, this individual will influence market strategy by applying deep technical knowledge of power generation systems, EPC delivery models, and industry cost drivers. The role requires strong leadership capabilities to guide teams, support pursuit efforts, and establish repeatable processes that drive operational excellence. Ultimately, this position ensures that our preconstruction planning is rigorous, market informed, and integrated with overall power sector strategy, enabling successful pursuits and high performing project execution.

*Note: This role will require extensive travel with a strong preference for the incumbent to be located in Atlanta, GA or Kansas City, MO but may have flexibility based on experience and/or willingness to travel.*

Key Role Responsibilities - Core

PRECONSTRUCTION FAMILY – CORE

• Leads overall preconstruction process, resulting in a comprehensive deliverable which includes competitive bids, negotiated proposals, cost estimates, analysis and budgets.
• Prepares and executes project win strategies by preparing for interviews and leading internal and external presentations of estimates and proposals to support the business development process.
• Oversees project teams and ensures successful execution and completion of preconstruction process.
• Manages relationships with key clients and design team contacts during the preconstruction phase.
• Capable of performing estimating tasks as needed, including self-perform estimating.
• Creates conceptual budgets.
• Reports accurate project cost history.
• Partners with operations to review project risk assessment, scoring and completion.
• Reviews project business plan with other stakeholders, such as operations and office leadership, to ensure alignment and profitability.
• Leads, supports and promotes a culture of diversity and inclusion within JE Dunn. Understands JE Dunn’s policy of non-discrimination and ensures positive, proactive implementation throughout the organization.
• Provide insight into market trends, cost escalation factors, and competitive intelligence specific to natural gas and thermal power to guide pursuit strategies.
• Identify and understand power generation regulatory and permitting requirements to work with key stakeholders to ensure early compliance.
• Work with the Project Leadership team to manage the trade partner procurement process including developing scope of work, solicitation, interviews, and relationship management.
• Identify and track Long Lead material/equipment procurement in order to influence successful project delivery and develop procurement strategy to minimize risk.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to perform work accurately and completely, and in a timely manner.
• Communication skills, verbal and written.
• Ability to conduct effective presentations.
• Ability to coordinate and lead large teams (external and internal) through the design and preconstruction process.
• Proficiency in MS Office with emphasis on strong Excel skills.
• Ability to read and understand drawings and specifications.
• Proficiency in construction estimating software.
• Proficiency in required construction technology.
• Ability to prepare quantity surveys.
• Knowledge of the means and methods of construction management.
• Knowledge of field operations through project support.
• Knowledge of specific trades and scopes of work.
• Knowledge of self-perform and labor productivity.
• Knowledge of MBE (Minority Business Enterprise), WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise), and SBA (Small Business Administration) regulations.
• Ability to develop General Requirements estimates.
• Knowledge of project processes and how each supports the successful completion of a project.
• Knowledge of Lean process and philosophy.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate within a team, internally and externally.
• Maintain a deep understanding of power generation technologies.
• Ability to execute preconstruction for successful EPC contracts.
• Advanced understanding of natural gas and thermal power generation systems, including design and preconstruction.
• Comprehensive understanding of cost drivers for major power plant components.
• Ability to analyze technical documentation such as process flow diagrams, equipment specifications, and OEM performance guarantees.
• Ability to lead early-phase constructability reviews for thermal power projects.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering or related field (Required).
• In lieu of the above requirements, equivalent relevant experience will be considered.

Experience

• 10+ years construction estimating experience.
• People management experience preferred.
• Proven track record managing major power generation projects including from pursuit through preconstruction (Preferred).
• Expertise in EPC delivery model, risk management, and commercial structures (Preferred).
• Established network of relationships with utilities, developers, engineering partners, trade partners, OEM’s, and key industry stakeholders (Preferred).
• Experience developing preconstruction strategies for natural gas combined-cycle, simple-cycle, RICE, or thermal power facilities (Preferred).

Working Environment

• Valid and unrestricted drivers license required
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds
• May require periods of overnight travel
• Must be willing to work non-traditional hours to meet project needs
• Normal office environment, but may be exposed to extreme conditions (hot or cold)
• Frequent activity: Sitting, Viewing Computer Screen
• Occasional activity: Standing, Walking, Bending, Climbing, Reaching above Shoulder, Pushing, Pulling

Benefits Information

The benefits package aligned to this position is Professional Non-Union. Please click the link below for more details.

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This role is expected to accept applications for at least three business days and may continue to be posted until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.

JE Dunn Construction is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. JE Dunn Construction is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

JE Dunn provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job, please submit your request to [email protected]

JE Dunn Construction Company does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of JE Dunn Construction without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of JE Dunn Construction Company. Please, no phone calls or emails.