What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Preconstruction position at Russell Co.?
Brief Description
Russell is a professional services firm providing construction and development services across the Midwest. Since its inception in 1983, Russell’s culture promotes a collaborative work environment that strives to exceed our clients’ expectations and provide life-time career opportunities for our professionals.
Headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, with offices in St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri and Overland Park, Kansas, Russell has delivered more than $7 billion in projects across 34 states. We remain a market leader in our core markets, including new construction and complex additions and renovations.
At Russell, we are creating more than a project - we are building great people, relationships, and communities.
Life at Russell
The number one response we receive when we ask our team members what they like about Russell is the culture. Russell team members describe working here as being more flexible than any place they’ve ever worked. They feel supported and support each other. They have fun. They are empowered to get their work done how they see fit. And most of all, they know they can continue their careers here because of the rich development tools available to them. Life at Russell is full of opportunities.
How You’ll Contribute
As Director of Preconstruction, you will help us reach our strategic growth goals by providing strategic leadership, administrative oversight and operational excellence for the preconstruction department. This role is responsible for ensuring the preconstruction team delivers high-quality services that align with company objectives, client expectations and long-term business strategies.
This position focuses on leadership, departmental strategy, process improvement and cross-functional collaboration, not on performing day to day estimating or tactical project tasks. The Director oversees and develops a diverse team of preconstruction professionals, ensuring efficient resource utilization, consistent processes and exceptional client service across all pursuits.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Departmental Administration
Russell is a professional services firm providing construction and development services across the Midwest. Since its inception in 1983, Russell’s culture promotes a collaborative work environment that strives to exceed our clients’ expectations and provide life-time career opportunities for our professionals.
Headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, with offices in St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri and Overland Park, Kansas, Russell has delivered more than $7 billion in projects across 34 states. We remain a market leader in our core markets, including new construction and complex additions and renovations.
At Russell, we are creating more than a project - we are building great people, relationships, and communities.
Life at Russell
The number one response we receive when we ask our team members what they like about Russell is the culture. Russell team members describe working here as being more flexible than any place they’ve ever worked. They feel supported and support each other. They have fun. They are empowered to get their work done how they see fit. And most of all, they know they can continue their careers here because of the rich development tools available to them. Life at Russell is full of opportunities.
How You’ll Contribute
As Director of Preconstruction, you will help us reach our strategic growth goals by providing strategic leadership, administrative oversight and operational excellence for the preconstruction department. This role is responsible for ensuring the preconstruction team delivers high-quality services that align with company objectives, client expectations and long-term business strategies.
This position focuses on leadership, departmental strategy, process improvement and cross-functional collaboration, not on performing day to day estimating or tactical project tasks. The Director oversees and develops a diverse team of preconstruction professionals, ensuring efficient resource utilization, consistent processes and exceptional client service across all pursuits.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Departmental Administration
- Provide strategic direction and oversight for all preconstruction activities.
- Develop and implement departmental goals, key performance metrics and operational strategies aligned with corporate objectives.
- Lead, mentor and develop Preconstruction Executives, Managers and Engineers to build a high-performing, collaborative team culture.
- Oversee departmental staffing, resource allocation and workload balancing across multiple concurrent pursuits.
- Establish, refine and enforce standardized processes, templates and best practices to ensure consistency and quality across all offices.
- Report performance metrics, workload trends and staffing forecasts to the Vice President of Preconstruction and Executive Leadership.
- Partner with Business Development and Marketing teams to evaluate and pursue new project opportunities.
- Participate in high-level project pursuits, interviews, and presentations, providing strategic insight into project positioning and client expectations.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers and trade partners to support business development and future work acquisition.
- Provide leadership and support to the preconstruction team during project pursuits to ensure proposals and deliverables align with client and company goals.
- Develop and manage departmental systems for cost data collection, tracking, and analysis to improve forecasting and data integrity.
- Lead initiatives to modernize and streamline preconstruction workflows, leveraging technology and analytics to enhance decision-making and efficiency.
- Evaluate and maintain preconstruction tools, databases, and software systems, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and accessibility.
- Champion process innovation, standardization, and continuous improvement across offices.
- Recruit, train, and retain top preconstruction talent; build a culture of growth, accountability, and excellence.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, establish clear development paths, and implement individualized coaching plans.
- Organize team meetings, training sessions, and one-on-one check-ins to promote communication and professional development.
- Recognize and celebrate team and individual achievements to maintain engagement and morale.
- Coordinate with Operations, Real Estate Development, Business Development, Marketing, IT and Executive Leadership to ensure cross-departmental alignment.
- Facilitate seamless handoffs between preconstruction and operations to maintain continuity and project success.
- Coordinate resources and best practices between regional offices to ensure consistent quality and collaboration across the company.
- Act as a conduit between preconstruction and field operations to align project goals, budgets and schedules.
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field required.
- 12–15 years of progressive experience in preconstruction, estimating, or related roles, including a minimum of 5 years in leadership.
- Demonstrated success leading multi-disciplinary preconstruction teams and managing multiple concurrent pursuits.
- Strong understanding of preconstruction principles, budgeting, scheduling, and client engagement at a strategic level.
- Proven ability to lead through influence, motivate diverse teams, and foster collaboration across departments and offices.
- Advanced communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to interface effectively with clients and executives.
- Proficiency with preconstruction software, data analytics tools, and workflow management systems preferred.
- Visionary leader who builds teams and drives organizational growth.
- Strategic thinker capable of balancing innovation with operational rigor.
- Skilled communicator and collaborator across all organizational levels.
- Motivated mentor dedicated to developing talent and advancing careers.
- High integrity, professionalism, and commitment to company values.
- Approximately 10% regional and national travel required for client meetings, interoffice coordination and key project pursuits.
