Construction Project Director

London Approach; Harmonville (PA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

London Approach seeks a Director of Project Development to lead projects from concept through preconstruction and award. You will oversee planning, estimating, design coordination, and risk management while strengthening client relationships and growing the project development team.

In this senior role, you will mentor staff across local and remote teams, drive preconstruction improvements, and partner with senior leadership on market expansion and new business opportunities.

Qualifications

• 15–20 years of construction and project development experience with leadership of project teams
• Degree in engineering or architecture or equivalent; professional registration is a plus
• Extensive Design-Build and CMAR delivery experience
• Proven ability to lead conceptual estimating, design development, and GMP proposal preparation
• Strong knowledge of building systems, contracts, insurance provisions, and construction risk management
• Proficiency with estimating takeoff software and Excel

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptual planning, design development, permitting, estimating, and GMP proposals
• Oversee budgets, schedules, procurement strategies, constructability reviews, and risks in preconstruction
• Direct bidding and proposal efforts to ensure accurate pricing and timely delivery
• Serve as senior client contact, maintain strategic relationships and identify new opportunities
• Coordinate internal teams, architects, engineers, subs, and vendors
• Recruit, mentor, and manage project development and estimating staff
• Improve preconstruction processes, estimating standards, and cost databases
• Partner with senior leadership on business development and market expansion
• Ensure smooth transition from preconstruction to construction operations

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Strategic thinking

Communication

Staff development

Preconstruction planning

Bidding/Proposal management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or architecture

Professional registration would be a plus

Tools

PlanSwift

Bluebeam

Microsoft Excel

Job description

An established construction firm is seeking a Director of Project Development to lead projects from initial concept through preconstruction and construction award. This senior leadership role oversees planning, estimating, design coordination, and risk management while strengthening client relationships, developing new business, and growing the project development team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multiple projects through conceptual planning, design development, permitting, estimating, and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) proposals.
• Oversee budgets, schedules, procurement strategies, constructability reviews, and project risks throughout preconstruction.
• Direct bidding and proposal efforts, ensuring accurate pricing, timely delivery, and alignment with profitability goals.
• Serve as a senior client contact, maintain strategic relationships, and identify opportunities with new and existing clients.
• Coordinate internal teams, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and vendors to align project scope, design, and cost.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage project development and estimating staff across local and remote teams.
• Improve preconstruction processes, estimating standards, and historical cost databases.
• Partner with senior leadership on business development, market expansion, and departmental growth.
• Ensure a smooth transition from preconstruction to construction operations.

Qualifications

• 15–20 years of construction and project development experience, with demonstrated leadership of project teams.
• Degree in engineering or architecture, or equivalent training and experience; professional registration is a plus.
• Extensive experience with Design-Build and Construction Manager at Risk delivery methods.
• Proven ability to lead conceptual estimating, design development, and GMP proposal preparation.
• Strong knowledge of building systems, contracts, insurance provisions, and construction risk management.
• Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software, such as PlanSwift and Bluebeam, and Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, develop staff, and build lasting client relationships.