What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Preconstruction position at Appleton Finn?
Director of Preconstruction
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
About the Opportunity
A well-established commercial general contractor is looking to appoint a Director of Preconstruction to lead and develop its preconstruction function in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced preconstruction professional to take a leadership role within a growing business, overseeing estimating strategy, managing client relationships, and driving successful project delivery from initial concept through to construction. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the preconstruction department, supporting business development, and helping secure a strong pipeline of commercial projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee all preconstruction activities, including conceptual estimating, budgeting, cost planning, value engineering, and bid strategy.
- Manage and develop the preconstruction team, providing leadership, mentorship, and support to ensure continued professional growth.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and other key project stakeholders.
- Oversee estimates from early design through to final pricing, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and alignment with project requirements.
- Work closely with business development and operations teams to evaluate new opportunities and develop effective project delivery strategies.
- Lead preconstruction meetings, design reviews, constructability assessments, and risk evaluations.
- Identify opportunities for value engineering, cost efficiencies, and alternative construction solutions.
- Manage bid schedules, subcontractor solicitation, scope reviews, and proposal preparation.
- Support client presentations, project interviews, and negotiations to help secure new business.
- Develop and implement processes to improve estimating accuracy, departmental efficiency, and overall preconstruction performance.
- Monitor market conditions, material pricing, subcontractor capacity, and construction trends to inform budgeting and procurement strategies.
Requirements
- Significant experience in commercial construction, with a strong background in preconstruction and estimating.
- Previous experience leading or managing a preconstruction team, ideally within a commercial general contracting environment.
- Proven ability to oversee complex estimates, budgets, and competitive bid processes.
- Strong understanding of construction methods, scheduling, cost control, subcontractor procurement, and project risk management.
- Experience across commercial building sectors such as healthcare, education, office, industrial, or other institutional projects.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and client relationship management skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, project management, design teams, and external stakeholders.
- Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to balance cost, quality, schedule, and client expectations.
- A degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred.
The Opportunity
This role offers the chance to take ownership of a key business function within an established commercial contractor, influence preconstruction strategy, and contribute directly to the company's continued growth.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop a high-performing team, strengthen client relationships, and help deliver a diverse portfolio of commercial construction projects throughout the Charlotte market.