Chief Pre-Construction Leader: Strategy & Estimating

Cornerstone Recruiting; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone Recruiting is seeking an experienced Vice President of Pre-Construction to lead its growing pre-construction organization. You will supervise Pre-Construction Managers and Estimators, drive estimating accuracy, value engineering, budgeting, and project profitability across multiple commercial projects.

You will partner with executive leadership, business development, engineering, and operations to win work, mentor staff, and ensure seamless transition from pre-construction to

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience.
• Experience leading pre-construction teams in commercial construction.
• Experience with structural steel, ornamental and miscellaneous metals, and glazing.
• Strong financial acumen with ability to drive project profitability.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to travel occasionally to project sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of the pre-construction process from conceptual design through project turnover to construction operations.
• Provide strategic leadership to Pre-Construction Managers and Estimators.
• Direct conceptual estimating, budgeting, value engineering, cost analysis, and proposal development for commercial construction projects.
• Collaborate with Business Development and executive leadership to pursue new opportunities, participate in client presentations, negotiate project awards, and strengthen client relationships.
• Oversee design coordination, engineering, drafting, procurement planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to ensure projects remain on schedule and within budget.
• Develop innovative, cost-effective construction solutions while maintaining quality, constructability, and client expectations.
• Ensure project estimates, engineering, shop drawings, and design solutions align with project budgets and contractual requirements.
• Oversee procurement strategies for subcontractors and materials while maintaining strong vendor and supplier relationships.
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate budgeting, project forecasting, billings, and financial reporting.
• Lead project handoff meetings to ensure construction teams receive complete and accurate project information before execution.
• Monitor project financial performance, profitability, schedules, risk management, quality, and client satisfaction across multiple projects.
• Support company safety initiatives and ensure projects meet all quality, compliance, and safety objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Estimating

Budgeting

Client relations

Project planning

Negotiation

Job description

Cornerstone Recruiting is seeking an experienced Vice President of Pre-Construction to lead its growing pre-construction organization. You will supervise Pre-Construction Managers and Estimators, drive estimating accuracy, value engineering, budgeting, and project profitability across multiple commercial projects.

You will partner with executive leadership, business development, engineering, and operations to win work, mentor staff, and ensure seamless transition from pre-construction to