Director of Preconstruction

The Director of Preconstruction will oversee all aspects of the company's estimating and preconstruction activities. This person will manage a team of estimators and preconstruction managers, provide strategic guidance during the design and budget planning stages, and work closely with clients, architects, engineers, and trade partners to deliver accurate, timely, and cost-effective solutions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following statements are meant to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals in this position. They are not intended to be a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel in this role.

• Lead and manage the estimating team through all design and preconstruction phases, ensuring accurate estimates, quality work, and timely delivery.

• Mentor, train, and develop estimating staff, promoting a culture of collaboration, accountability, and ongoing improvement.

• Provide technical guidance to the team by reviewing complex estimates and ensuring best practices are adhered to across all projects.

• Drive business development by building and maintaining relationships with clients, architects, engineers, and trade partners; identify new opportunities and support proposal development and presentations.

• Responsible for managing the preconstruction department's budget and costs.

• Build and update a strong cost database to ensure estimates accurately reflect current market conditions.

• Oversee the preparation and submission of bids, proposals, and budgets, ensuring they are complete, accurate, and aligned with the company's strategy.

• Work with clients, design teams, and subcontractors to find cost-saving opportunities, solve constructability problems, and ensure scope aligns with budget targets.

• Coordinate with operations teams to review design documents for constructability and general requirements before project handoff.

• Develop and oversee project preconstruction schedules to ensure key milestones are achieved.

• Manage the subcontractor prequalification process and oversee bid lists to ensure the selection of qualified trade partners.

• Review design documents and specifications for clarity and completeness; guide the team in preparing bid packages and quantity take-offs.

• Review subcontractor bids for correctness, scope completeness, and adherence to project requirements.

• Support value engineering efforts and develop lifecycle cost analyses with clients and project teams.

• Present and explain budgets to clients, internal stakeholders, and executive leadership.

• Manage project buy-out processes and ensure a smooth transition from preconstruction to operations.

• Ensure the team is proficient in using estimating and project management systems effectively.

• Supervises and trains estimators in preparing estimates and

• Research construction documents and analyze specifications to estimate costs.

• Research market trends to deliver precise budget and escalation forecasts to clients.

• Collaborates with the operations team during the preconstruction phase to review plans and specifications for constructability issues and determine general conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field preferred.

• Over 10 years of progressive estimating and preconstruction experience, including leading teams and large-scale projects.

• Strong technical understanding of building systems, materials, and MEP components.

• Proficiency in estimating and project management software (e.g., On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, Procore, or similar).

• Proven ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines at the same time.

• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

• Strong client-facing presence and ability to facilitate collaborative design and cost review meetings.