Vice President of Preconstruction

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Job Title: Vice President of Preconstruction

Location: Chicago, IL

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Company: GMA Construction Group

ABOUT GMA CONSTRUCTION GROUP

GMA is a growing general contractor specializing in commercial construction, with deep experience in affordable housing, healthcare, and education markets. As we expand our portfolio and operations in key markets like Chicago and Dallas, we are seeking a strategic and experienced executive to lead and evolve our estimating and project planning capabilities.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of Preconstruction is a critical executive leader responsible for overseeing the preconstruction process from initial client pursuit through guaranteed maximum price (GMP) or lump-sum contract execution. This role ensures strategic alignment across estimating, value engineering, procurement planning, and risk analysis. The VP will lead a high-performing preconstruction team and collaborate closely with business development, project executives, and clients to ensure successful project outcomes and sustained growth for GMA.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Client & Pursuit Strategy

• Serve as the executive liaison to key clients, ensuring satisfaction, trust, and repeat business.
• Lead relationship management efforts to secure future work and enhance the firm's reputation in the industry.
• Identify, pursue, and help close new business opportunities in collaboration with senior leadership and business development teams.
• Serve as the executive preconstruction liaison for key clients, partners, and design teams.
• Participate in strategic pursuits, RFQ/RFP responses, interviews, and proposal development.
• Support early client engagement and relationship-building to ensure repeat business and partnership alignment.
• Oversee conceptual budgeting, detailed estimating, and GMP development across all market sectors.
• Ensure estimates are accurate, competitive, and aligned with project scope, schedule, and delivery method.
• Provide executive oversight of takeoffs, quantity surveys, subcontractor pricing, and bid leveling.

Design Management & Value Optimization

• Collaborate with design teams to provide constructability input, cost-saving strategies, and schedule alignment throughout design development.
• Oversee value engineering and alternative analysis efforts to achieve client objectives without compromising quality or function.
• Ensure preconstruction deliverables are integrated with project execution planning and means/methods strategy.
• Oversee the procurement planning process and subcontractor engagement during preconstruction.
• Ensure strong relationships with subcontractors and suppliers to secure competitive pricing and early trade involvement.
• Lead prequalification and pricing strategy sessions for major scopes.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to cost, scope, logistics, and schedule during early phases of project development.
• Provide executive-level input on phasing, milestones, logistics, and schedule feasibility.
• Collaborate with finance and operations leadership to align preconstruction outputs with company P&L goals and resource planning.

Team Development & Organizational Leadership

• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of estimators, preconstruction managers, and support staff.
• Standardize and continuously improve preconstruction workflows, tools, and reporting practices.
• Represent preconstruction leadership in executive meetings and cross-functional planning sessions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of experience in commercial construction with at least 8 years in senior-level preconstruction or estimating roles.
• Deep knowledge of estimating, procurement, and design management across delivery types (CMAR, Design-Build, Lump Sum).
• Proven leadership in developing GMPs for complex projects in affordable housing, healthcare, education, or related sectors.
• Experience in business development, market positioning, and client acquisition strategies.
• Excellent communication, executive presence, and client-facing skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive base salary with performance bonus potential
• Project and Performance Bonus Potential
• Car Allowance or Company Vehicle
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management

• Industries

  Construction

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Inferred from the description for this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

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