Director of Preconstruction

Director of Preconstruction & Estimating – Commercial Construction

Location: North Miami-Dade, FL

Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site

Compensation: $200,000–$225,000 DOE

Industry: Commercial General Contractor

Level: Senior Leadership

Position Overview:

A highly established, financially stable Commercial General Contractor with a strong presence throughout Florida is seeking an experienced Director of Preconstruction & Estimating to lead its preconstruction and estimating operations.

This is a senior leadership position with a well-established GC generating $150M in annual revenue and managing a diverse portfolio of large-scale commercial construction projects.

Candidates MUST have significant high-rise construction estimating/preconstruction experience and a strong background working directly for a Commercial General Contractor.

The Director will oversee the estimating and preconstruction team, manage multiple projects through conceptual estimating, design development, GMP and final bid, and work closely with ownership, architects, operations teams, subcontractors and clients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the company's Preconstruction and Estimating Department and manage a team of estimators and preconstruction professionals.
• Oversee an extensive pipeline of large-scale commercial, high-rise, ground-up and renovation projects.
• Manage conceptual, schematic, design development, GMP, CMAR and lump-sum estimates.
• Review and approve budgets, estimates, bid packages and final proposals prior to submission.
• Develop conceptual budgets and detailed cost models throughout the preconstruction process.
• Partner with owners, architects and internal operations teams to establish project budgets and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Lead value engineering, constructability reviews and risk analysis.
• Review construction drawings, specifications and supplemental conditions to ensure complete and accurate estimates.
• Manage subcontractor solicitation, bid leveling, scope reviews and pricing.
• Maintain and expand relationships with subcontractors and vendors throughout Florida.
• Develop and maintain historical cost databases and monitor market conditions affecting labor and material pricing.
• Participate in client presentations, project pursuits, pre-bid meetings and critical preconstruction meetings.
• Review owner contracts for potential cost implications and project risk.
• Partner with project management and operations teams during project turnover and buyout.
• Analyze estimated versus actual project costs and use findings to improve future estimating.
• Evaluate and implement estimating technology, systems and processes to improve department productivity.
• Recruit, mentor, train and develop estimating and preconstruction professionals.
• Promote collaboration between Preconstruction, Estimating, Operations and Project Management teams.

Required Qualifications:

• 10–15 years of commercial construction estimating/preconstruction experience.
• Minimum 5 years in a Director of Preconstruction, Director of Estimating, Chief Estimator or comparable leadership role.
• MUST have significant HIGH-RISE construction experience.
• MUST have experience working for a Commercial General Contractor.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing a sizable estimating/preconstruction team.
• Strong experience with ground-up commercial construction and large, complex projects.
• Advanced knowledge of conceptual estimating, schematic estimating, design development, GMP and construction-document estimates.
• Strong understanding of subcontractor procurement, bid leveling, cost analysis, value engineering and constructability.
• Experience with GMP and CMAR delivery methods strongly preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple large projects simultaneously through various stages of preconstruction.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, labor costs, market conditions and subcontractor pricing.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Strong client-facing capabilities with the ability to participate in project pursuits and executive-level presentations.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Engineering or a related field strongly preferred.

Technology

Candidates should be comfortable utilizing modern estimating and construction technology, including:

• Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
• On-Screen Takeoff or comparable takeoff software
• Estimating platforms such as Timberline/Sage or similar
• BIM/VDC technology and related construction platforms

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is a proven Preconstruction/Estimating executive from a Commercial General Contractor who has successfully led teams and managed the preconstruction process for high-rise and other large-scale commercial projects.

This individual should be comfortable operating at both the strategic and hands-on level—leading people, reviewing complex estimates, meeting with owners and architects, managing risk and helping the company secure profitable new work.

Confidential Search – Qualified candidates will receive additional company and project information during the interview process.The ideal candidate is a leader who can successfully develop and manage a diverse team. You will solve client problems while providing exceptional service and help develop new business opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a senior counsel and account leader for senior level clients
• Ensure annual profit, efficiency, and quality goals are attained at each client engagement
• Develop long and short-term plans and goals for the organization

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 5 years' experience in management
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Strong leadership, people management, and team building skills