Director of Preconstruction

Taylor Hopkinson is seeking a Director of Preconstruction in Austin, Texas for a leading global energy company with a strong U.S. presence, focused on renewable power generation and energy solutions. It develops, owns, and operates utility-scale wind, solar, and battery storage projects across the country. Has 10+ GW of operating renewable capacity and a large development pipeline. The Director, Preconstruction leads the mid- to late-stage project lifecycle to ensure renewable energy projects are optimized, de-risked, and fully prepared for handoff to execution. This role oversees a regional team responsible for engineering, estimating, scheduling, contracting, and cross-functional alignment, supporting a high-value project pipeline. The position also drives continuous improvements to the preconstruction operating model, strengthens team capabilities, and provides strategic recommendations to senior leadership. Additionally, this leader serves as a key interface with EPCs, EORs, Development, and internal stakeholders to ensure consistent, high-quality project delivery. Key Responsibilities: Lead the regional preconstruction team to optimize and de-risk projects, ensuring they are shovel-ready and effectively transitioned to execution Manage team resourcing, workload prioritization, and support projects advancing through offtake RFPs Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including playbooks, processes, and team training Coach and mentor team members to enhance technical, project management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities Provide clear, actionable recommendations to senior leadership on project and portfolio-level decisions Support EPC strategy development and oversee contract negotiations, including direct involvement when needed Build and maintain strategic partnerships with EPCs and EORs to optimize portfolio outcomes Lead cross-functional alignment meetings to drive decision-making and resolve portfolio-wide challenges Oversee development of offtake RFP materials and ensure clarity around cost, schedule, and risk assumptions Review and approve FID-level deliverables, including estimates, schedules, and risk assessments Lead value engineering efforts to improve cost, constructability, and project readiness Oversee BTA engineering, EPC selection, and contract negotiations Provide expert input across design, site optimization, estimating, and scheduling activities Manage portfolio-level forecasting and support long-term planning efforts Identify recurring issues and lead initiatives to improve processes and overall project value Serve as a key liaison to Development and internal stakeholders as a subject-matter expert in preconstruction and renewable technologies Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (Master's preferred) 10-12+ years of experience in preconstruction, construction, or project management within infrastructure or renewable energy Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills Experience with renewable technologies (solar, BESS, wind) preferred Proven ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and cross-functional teams Strong business acumen and problem-solving capabilities Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) Self-starter with a collaborative mindset and ability to influence across diverse teams