Director of Preconstruction

LVI Associates; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

LVI Associates is seeking a Director of Preconstruction in the United States to lead all preconstruction and estimating activities. You will manage a team of estimators, collaborate with operations, and drive strategic cost planning and client-facing initiatives.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in estimating and preconstruction, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of construction costs across sectors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of construction estimating and preconstruction experience.
• Proven experience leading estimating teams and managing complex construction budgets.
• Strong understanding of construction costs across multiple market sectors.
• Ability to lead design-assist, budgeting, and preconstruction meetings.
• Proficiency with estimating, scheduling, and project management software platforms.
• Field construction experience is beneficial.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the preconstruction and estimating team, fostering collaboration.
• Oversee workload planning, staffing, scheduling, and performance development.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, design partners, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Participate in project interviews, business development, and client presentations.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop division strategy and growth plans.
• Lead project strategy meetings for budgeting, estimating, procurement, and scheduling.
• Ensure estimates, budgets, and schedules are accurate and aligned with requirements.
• Review design progress, costs, and subcontractor pricing for variances.
• Identify and mitigate estimating, procurement, and constructability risks.
• Support proposals, RFP responses, and negotiated opportunities.
• Provide constructability reviews and cost guidance during design development.
• Develop and maintain historical cost databases and benchmarks.
• Track preconstruction budgets and identify efficiency improvements.
• Mentor and train preconstruction staff through development programs.
• Participate in client meetings and provide lifecycle cost guidance.

Skills

Leadership

Estimating

Cost estimation

Client relationship

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

MS Project

Job description

Reports To: Executive Preconstruction Leader
Direct Reports: Estimators and Senior Estimators

Position Summary

Director of Preconstruction

Reports To: Executive Preconstruction Leader
Direct Reports: Estimators and Senior Estimators

The Director of Preconstruction is responsible for leading and managing all preconstruction and estimating activities while collaborating closely with operational teams across the organization. This role ensures the successful development and execution of preconstruction strategies, processes, and client-facing initiatives.

The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, communication, and estimating expertise, along with a deep understanding of construction costs, market conditions, and industry software. Success in this position requires the ability to deliver accurate, timely work while fostering collaboration within both the preconstruction department and broader project teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the preconstruction and estimating team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Oversee workload planning, staffing, scheduling, and performance development for estimating personnel.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, design partners, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Participate in project interviews, business development efforts, industry events, and client presentations.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop division strategy, business plans, and long-term growth initiatives.
• Lead project strategy meetings and establish approaches for budgeting, estimating, procurement, and scheduling.
• Ensure project estimates, budgets, and schedules are accurate, complete, and aligned with project requirements.
• Review design progress, cost trends, subcontractor pricing, unit costs, and estimate variances throughout project development.
• Identify and mitigate estimating, procurement, and constructability risks.
• Review scopes of work, bid packages, bidder qualifications, and subcontractor prequalification requirements.
• Support proposal and pursuit efforts, including responses to RFPs and negotiated project opportunities.
• Partner with project teams during design development to provide constructability reviews and cost guidance.
• Develop and maintain historical cost databases and estimating benchmarks.
• Track preconstruction budgets and fees while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce overhead.
• Mentor and train preconstruction staff through structured development and succession planning efforts.
• Participate in client meetings and provide strategic guidance on budgeting, value management, and lifecycle cost considerations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of construction estimating and preconstruction experience.
• Proven experience leading estimating teams and managing complex construction budgets.
• Strong understanding of construction costs across multiple market sectors.
• Ability to lead design-assist, budgeting, and preconstruction meetings.
• Proficiency with estimating, scheduling, and project management software platforms.
• Field construction experience is beneficial.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

Working Environment

• Primarily office-based with occasional remote work flexibility.
• Regular interaction with project sites, clients, and industry partners.
• Site visits may require field measurements, inspections, and on-site coordination in varying weather conditions.
• Periodic travel for client meetings, project reviews, and business development activities.