Assistant Director MEP, Pre-Construction Services

Gray Construction is seeking an Assistant Director MEP, Pre-Construction Services to join our team in our Charlotte, NC office.

Why Gray?

Gray is a fully integrated, global service provider deeply rooted in engineering, design, and construction, along with smart manufacturing and equipment manufacturing services. Consistently ranked as a leader in the industry, we focus on the following markets for domestic and international customers: Food & Beverage, Manufacturing, Data Centers, Distribution, Commercial and Advanced Technology.

Founded in 1960, Gray’s robust offering enables us to create one-of-a-kind solutions at the highest levels of customization, delivering unmatched precision and partnership to some of the world’s most sophisticated organizations. Still, these areas don’t define Gray—our people do. Passion, commitment, and a great team spirit all speak to the team members at Gray.

What we expect… (Essential Functions)

Responsible for overseeing comprehensive MEP delivery for projects within the markets, including strategic design development and tactical project coordination. Key responsibilities encompass supporting strategic design development for MEP disciplines during pre-construction, pre-construction administration, and design development phases, ensuring successful financial performance, risk mitigation, relationship management, team member development, and fostering effective collaboration.

• Provide input to project teams on proposal and execution strategy.
• Responsible of monitoring the management of project MEP budget items to ensure effective communication with project teams.
• Provides tactical project team support, including understanding customer needs, translating MEP strategy into actionable plans, ensuring effective communication of MEP aspects within projects, customizing MEP solutions to project requirements, facilitating collaboration between MEP and other project disciplines, supporting project teams in MEP problem-solving and decision-making, and developing and maintaining strategic partnerships.
• Manages MEP pre-construction project administration, including managing comprehensive pre-construction MEP strategy execution, collecting owner information, attending meetings with customers to present and explain the MEP approach for the project, and ensuring clarity and alignment with the customer’s vision and requirements.

• Acts as a liaison during design development, managing or providing preliminary design, coordinating design activities of MEP consultants and subcontractors, conducting detailed reviews of design documents, and supporting the identification of potential opportunities for Value Engineering, equipment sourcing and procurement.
• Ensures financial success by providing regular updates on MEP discipline progress, operating within budgetary limitations and requirements, actively supporting the project team in purchasing of all required materials, subcontracts, equipment, and services for the projects, and efficiently supporting project management teams, when needed, in the review process of change orders.
• Manages risk by ensuring a comprehensive understanding of all commercial terms and conditions within contracts, regularly assessing the effectiveness of current risk management strategies, providing diligent MEP oversight, and demonstrating and consistently communicating a clear and effective approach to problem-solving.
• Manages relationships by serving as a point of contact for project management teams as it relates to MEP disciplines, collaborating with the Director, MEP – Pre-Construction, Project Executives and Project Management to assist in the development of strong communication and internal/external relationships, demonstrating strong leadership qualities, and serving as the liaison for MEP disciplines, facilitating seamless communication and coordination between customers, project management teams and trade partners.
• Supports team member development by ensuring that project team members support and abide by Gray’s vision, core values, and mission statement, monitoring project team cohesiveness, supporting “team of teams” and developing action plans to correct issues associated with MEP resources, and mentoring and training project management team members as it relates to MEP disciplines.
• Facilitates collaboration by maintaining regular communication with the Director, MEP – Pre-Construction, project executives, coordinating with cross-functional teams across Gray’s discrete service offerings, and maintaining a cooperative and productive work environment, encouraging teamwork and communication among all project stakeholders.

Note: The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Who we want… (Requirements)

Essential for successful job performance, the individual must excel in each vital duty. This role significantly contributes to project success, encompassing planning, design, and coordination for execution. Demonstrates expertise and a proven track record of success as an MEP leader, adeptly managing numerous projects, including large-scale and complex initiatives. Plays a pivotal role in shaping and guiding MEP proposal teams, showcasing exceptional leadership and project management skills.

• A bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university and a minimum of ten years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Requires a minimum of ten years of experience managing MEP disciplines for design/build or hard bid projects, tailored to the specific market demands.
• Proficient in various contracting methods such as lump sum, GMP, cost-plus construction management, and fee-based construction. Thorough understanding of legal aspects and implications of contractual language.
• Proven record of enhancing project profitability from initial project profit margin on multiple projects.
• Must possess comprehensive technical knowledge in engineering and design disciplines to serve as the primary point of contact throughout project development. Thorough understanding of costs and fees associated with engineering and design disciplines, demonstrating expertise as a subject matter expert in MEP disciplines.
• Extensive familiarity with the impact of changes in design, engineering, or construction phases on overall project aspects from cost, schedule, construction management, and construction operations perspectives.
• Experience managing multiple proposal/project efforts involving procurement or installation of process or production equipment or comparable components for various industry-specific projects. Demonstrated ability to estimate costs associated with equipment components and systems, as well as installation procedures to prepare accurate estimates and proposals.
• Strong mentoring and leadership capabilities, particularly aimed at nurturing and supporting MEP Pre-Construction teams within the department. Primary responsibility includes fostering an environment of leadership development and collaborative synergy to enhance the effectiveness and success of the team.
• Proficient in preparing cost estimates for design-build projects in the company’s market focuses.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain harmonious relationships with various stakeholders including owners, co-workers, suppliers, and community stakeholders.
• Proficient in language skills, mathematical skills, and reasoning ability. Basic computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, and email applications are required. Working knowledge of scheduling and/or estimating applications may also be necessary.
• The ideal candidate should be energetic, self-motivated, and thrive in a team environment, with a passion for collaboration and professional development. High achievers striving to exceed expectations in a fast-paced innovative company are encouraged to apply.

Note: The listed requirements are indicative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands or arms and talk or hear.  They may occasionally be required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch.  Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision.

Generally, normal office environment where noise level is moderate and temperature/humidity is controlled. Overtime may be required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position includes supervisory responsibilities.

EEO Disclaimer

Gray is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes everyone to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

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