Director of Preconstruction

Position Summary Our client, a respected leader in the construction industry, is seeking a highly experienced Director of Preconstruction and Estimating to oversee the pursuit, evaluation, and pricing of diverse construction opportunities. This role will lead a team of estimating professionals, guide bid strategies, and ensure the delivery of accurate budgets and proposals for public, private, and design-build projects. The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with strategic vision, ensuring the department operates efficiently, competitively, and with the highest level of accuracy. Duties and Responsibilities Identify, track, and review potential projects, selecting the most promising opportunities to pursue. Collaborate with operations and scheduling teams to target projects aligned with organizational goals. Work with clients and internal design teams to present accurate and complete budgets. Build, lead, and mentor a team to deliver high-quality, precise estimates for public general contracting, design-build, and self-perform work. Set departmental goals, metrics, and performance targets. Oversee conceptual estimating, budgeting, and design-build pricing exercises for all vertical construction opportunities. Utilize bid management and takeoff software to coordinate team activities and manage a global bid board. Facilitate pre-bid meetings with project teams and subject matter experts to review constructability, resources, and execution plans. Develop and maintain relationships with existing and past clients to foster repeat business. Conduct job site visits to identify cost, phasing, and resource planning improvements. Review contracts for potential risks and recommend mitigation strategies. Establish annual training needs and coordinate delivery for the estimating team. Manage subcontractor relationships and define qualification criteria for bidding. Create and communicate bid strategies to the team, ensuring alignment with company goals. Analyze market trends for improved forecasting, projections, and pricing accuracy. Partner with business development to attend networking events and strengthen subcontractor and client relationships. Provide organizational updates on bid outcomes, project awards, and lessons learned from lost opportunities. Serve as the decision-maker for final bid and pricing submissions. Develop KPIs and SMART goals to monitor departmental success and growth. Identify and implement process improvements for efficiency and effectiveness. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred. Minimum of 10 years of experience in construction estimating and preconstruction leadership. Proven success in leading high-performance estimating teams. Strong understanding of vertical construction processes, including public, private, and design-build delivery methods. Proficiency with bid management software, takeoff tools, and Microsoft Excel. Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills. Ability to interpret market data and trends to inform pricing strategies. Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational and time management skills. Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic bid plans. Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development of team members.