Director of Pre-Construction - Corporate (Las Vegas)

Caesars Entertainment is seeking a Director of Pre-Construction to join our dynamic Design and Construction team. The Design and Construction Department supports a diverse construction pipeline representing approximately $4 billion in current and prospective forward-looking projects. This position, reporting to the VP Project Development, will support the formation of new projects through the development and/or oversight of scope identification and definition, estimates, and project budgets. Work will be collaborative with the regional Vice Presidents of Design and Construction and project managers across the enterprise.

Project types are diverse, including but not limited to:

• Food and beverage rebrands and renovations
• Hotel room renovations
• Casino floor game relocations and carpet replacements
• Entertainment facilities
• Hospitality amenities
• Resort rebrands and property repositionings
• “Boat-to-land” casino transitions
• Ground up casino resort development projects

Responsibilities will include both self-performance and management of:

• All-inclusive Owner’s project budgeting (both hard and soft costs)
• Construction estimating
• Scope surveys
• Diligence activities to ensure scopes are complete and do not omit required upgrades or maintenance to project-critical systems
• RFP development
• Bid descope
• Limited design management in instances where project managers are not yet assigned
• Coordination of all of the above with assigned Design and Construction project managers and regional Vice Presidents
• Collaboration with and presentation of work to Corporate, Regional and Property Operations Leadership
• Development and maintenance of internal historical cost databases, for both conceptual and detailed estimating
• Development of standard forms and templates
• Analytical work to support investment questions from Operational and Capital Planning leadership

The intent of this position is to build an internal capability that has been heavily outsourced in recent years. The Director will be expected to self-perform, manage external consultants, and hire, train, and manage internal resources as deemed appropriate. The Director will also provide frameworks, guidance, and support to project managers conducting preconstruction activity within a self-service model as appropriate. The Director’s input will be sought on the ultimate buildout of this function. The ability to juggle multiple competing initiatives and manage work being completed under multiple contexts will be necessary for success in the position.

Qualifications:

• Must have comprehensive experience with all manner of building systems found in a casino resort hospitality environment – Architectural, Finishes, Furniture, Gaming Systems, Surveillance, Food Service Equipment, Commercial Structures, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Communications, etc.
• Familiarity with prevalent building codes and standards is required. Knowledge of planning and permitting requirements in one or more jurisdictions in which we operate is desirable.
• Must have experience leading teams and consultants through multiple parallel preconstruction processes in varying stages of development
• Use of Bluebeam and other takeoff software is required. Experience with CMIC is desirable. Informed critical opinions on market leading estimating and takeoff software are also desired, as we have the opportunity to shape these choices for the company through this position.
• Experience building new teams, hiring and training, and developing standard operating procedures and templates is desirable
• Demonstrated bias towards documenting standards and developing templates. The position will aid in development of standard frameworks and forms for self-service by project managers on smaller projects.
• Conveys a service-oriented, consulting mindset. Fundamentally this position cultivates, organizes, and presents information and assumptions to better inform business stakeholders.
• Assumptions must be based on documented historical sources.
• Estimates must be rationalized.
• Information must be presented in a professional manner.
• Multiple packages and options may be desired.
• The Director must communicate in an empathetic manner tailored to informing while deferring many decisions to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to network. The Director must be able to autonomously navigate a complex matrix organization with both geographic / property and functional specializations. The Director must also contribute to cultivation of a robust vendor and consultant network.

Minimum Candidate Requirements:

• Prior construction management and preconstruction experience (minimum 10 years)
• Gaming and hospitality construction experience (minimum 5 years within the asset class)
• Prior experience leading a preconstruction/estimating team or function strongly desired, but several years performing as an individual contributor with strong references may serve as substitute
• Construction management, engineering, or similar degree desirable but not required
• Excellent quantitative and Excel skills
• Proficiency with industry common software like Bluebeam, PlanGrid, ProCore and similar products
• General office computer skills (Microsoft products)
• Strong communication skills (oral and written)
• Residence near corporate offices in Las Vegas or near another regional hub office is desirable for leadership and collaboration reasons, but remote candidates will be considered. The position supports a nationwide network of properties, and our project management team spans all regions through a virtual office environment.
• Willingness to travel (up to 50%). Flexibility to travel on short notice for meetings and project diligence activity is required.

Work Environment:

• Gaming and entertainment
• Renovation and heavy construction sites with exposure to outdoor elements and heavy machinery
• Office environment
• Property back-of-house locations
• Mechanical and equipment rooms
• High noise areas requiring personal protective equipment