Director of Preconstruction

SearchLabs; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

SearchLabs seeks an accomplished Director of Preconstruction to join its senior leadership team in Ontario. The role centers on owning the preconstruction function, guiding estimating, early planning, procurement strategy, and risk analysis, while mentoring a seasoned team and aligning with executive leadership on pursuit strategies.

You will lead major estimates, tenders, and negotiated opportunities from evaluation to submission, while shaping commercial and project risk considerations across

Qualifications

• Approximately 15+ years of progressive construction experience with substantial exposure to estimating and preconstruction.
• Several years leading people, departments or significant preconstruction functions.
• Experience overseeing complex bids, negotiated work and major construction pursuits.
• Strong knowledge of construction methodology, pricing, procurement, scheduling, constructability and project risk.
• Ability to evaluate opportunities commercially rather than simply produce estimates.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the estimating and preconstruction groups, establishing priorities and consistent operating practices.
• Provide senior-level direction on major estimates, tenders and negotiated opportunities from initial evaluation through final submission.
• Guide conceptual costing, budgeting, procurement planning, constructability analysis and value-oriented design discussions.
• Assess project opportunities from cost, schedule, contractual and risk perspectives before resources are committed.
• Collaborate with operations leadership to transition pursuits into active project delivery.
• Contribute to strategic go/no-go decisions and project pursuit strategies.
• Provide commercial and pricing insight during major pursuits and client negotiations.
• Build relationships with owners, consultants, trade partners and external stakeholders.
• Support early-stage development including feasibility, preliminary costing and servicing considerations.

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Leadership

Client relations

Financial analysis

Strategic decision-making

Education

Postsecondary degree in Construction/Engineering/Architecture

Job description

We are representing an established Ontario construction organization in the search for a Director of Preconstruction to join its senior leadership group.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for an experienced construction professional who understands that successful projects are often won — and protected — long before work reaches the field.

The successful candidate will take ownership of the preconstruction function, providing leadership across estimating, early project planning, procurement strategy, constructability, commercial analysis and major project pursuits. You will lead an experienced team while working closely with operations, business development and executive leadership to determine which opportunities to pursue and how those projects should be positioned.

This role is suited to someone who combines strong technical estimating knowledge with commercial judgment and leadership ability.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Lead and develop the estimating and preconstruction groups, establishing priorities, expectations and consistent operating practices.
• Provide senior-level direction on major estimates, tenders and negotiated opportunities from initial evaluation through final submission.
• Guide conceptual costing, budgeting, procurement planning, constructability analysis and value-oriented design discussions.
• Assess project opportunities from a cost, schedule, contractual and execution-risk perspective before significant resources are committed.
• Work alongside operations leadership to create effective transitions from pursuit and preconstruction into active project delivery.
• Participate in strategic go/no-go decisions and help determine how the organization approaches key opportunities.
• Provide commercial and pricing insight during major pursuits, client presentations and negotiations.
• Build productive relationships with owners, consultants, trade partners and other external stakeholders.
• Support early-stage development work including feasibility, preliminary costing, servicing considerations and constructability.
• Improve estimating systems, historical cost information, reporting tools and preconstruction processes.
• Track estimating performance, workload, departmental effectiveness and the results of major pursuits.
• Mentor senior and intermediate team members while building additional depth within the department.
• Work collaboratively with finance, operations and executive leadership to ensure opportunities meet the organization's financial and risk expectations.

What We’re Looking For

We are interested in speaking with established construction professionals who have built their careers in estimating and preconstruction within the general contracting/construction management environment.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Approximately 15+ years of progressive construction experience with substantial exposure to estimating and preconstruction.
• Several years leading people, departments or significant preconstruction functions.
• Experience overseeing complex bids, negotiated work and major construction pursuits.
• Strong knowledge of construction methodology, pricing, procurement, scheduling, constructability and project risk.
• The ability to evaluate opportunities commercially rather than simply produce estimates.
• Experience interacting directly with clients, consultants and senior construction stakeholders.
• Strong financial and analytical capability, including an understanding of margin, risk and project economics.
• Postsecondary education related to construction, engineering, architecture or another relevant discipline is preferred.
• Familiarity with contemporary estimating, document management and construction technology platforms.

This is not simply a senior estimating position. The mandate is to lead the front end of the construction business, influence which projects the organization pursues and help establish the commercial and operational foundation for successful delivery.

For an experienced preconstruction leader looking for greater organizational influence, this provides a genuine seat at the leadership table with the ability to shape people, process, pursuits and project strategy.

Location

Southwestern Ontario. Candidates should be comfortable working regularly from the organization's regional office and collaborating with project and leadership teams throughout Ontario.

Compensation Transparency

The expected compensation range for this role is $180,000 to $220,000 annually, depending on experience, skills, qualifications, certifications and overall fit for the position. A comprehensive additional compensation and benefits package is also provided.

Vacancy Status

This posting represents a current vacancy.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is not used to screen, assess or make hiring decisions for this role. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by the recruitment team.

Accommodation is available upon request throughout the recruitment and hiring process.

Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates.