Director of Preconstruction

Summit EPC; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Summit EPC is seeking a Director of Preconstruction to lead a team of 7–8 estimators and preconstruction managers. You will own the overall preconstruction process across a growing, diverse project portfolio across commercial and light industrial markets.

Responsibilities include developing estimating strategy, conceptual budgeting, constructability reviews, value development, bid strategy, process improvement, and team development, while collaborating with design, BD, and operations to shape

Qualifications

• Strong preconstruction foundation and experience in estimating complex commercial or light industrial projects.
• Ability to lead and develop a team of estimators and preconstruction managers.
• Experience in shaping department-level processes and standards.
• Ability to integrate estimating, design, operations, and BD to create value.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 7–8 estimators and preconstruction managers.
• Develop estimating strategy, budgeting, constructability and bid strategy.
• Collaborate with design, business development and operations early in projects.
• Drive process improvements and team development.

Skills

Preconstruction

Leadership

Estimating

Strategy

Mentoring

Job description

Director of Preconstruction – Commercial / Industrial Design-Build Projects

Hybrid Remote - West Lafayette, IN

Compensation: Negotiable Basedepending on experience + Bonus + Full Benefits

Build the Next Chapter of Your Career

Summit is looking for a Director of Preconstruction to lead a talented team, strengthen our preconstruction function, and help shape the next stage of our growth.

You may already be leading preconstruction and looking for a larger platform and greater influence. Or you may be a Sr. Estimator or Estimating Manager ready to move beyond individual project execution and into department leadership. Either way, we are looking for someone who understands how to scope, price, and position complex commercial and light industrial projects and is ready to build something bigger.

This is not a role where you simply inherit an established playbook. You will help develop it.

Summit operates through an integrated design-build model where design, preconstruction, and construction work together from the beginning. As we continue expanding our presence in light industrial, manufacturing, food processing, and other complex project markets, this role will have meaningful influence over how we pursue work, develop projects, and scale the organization.

About the Role

As Director of Preconstruction, you will lead a team of 7-8 estimators and preconstruction managers while owning the overall preconstruction process across a growing and increasingly diverse project portfolio.

Your focus will include estimating strategy, conceptual budgeting, constructability, value development, bid strategy, process improvement, and team development. Just as importantly, you will work directly with design, business development, and operations to shape projects early and position them for successful execution.

This is both a department leadership role and a company leadership role.

You will join Summit’s Senior Management Team and work directly with executive leadership on decisions involving market expansion, client strategy, project selection, delivery approach, and organizational growth. As Summit’s integrated capabilities continue to develop, there is also opportunity for this role to expand its influence into the broader design and preconstruction organization.

What We’re Looking For

• A strong preconstruction foundation. You know how to scope, estimate, budget, and evaluate complex commercial or light industrial projects. Your experience may come from general contracting, specialty contracting, or design-build.
• Leadership capability and upside. You may already be a Preconstruction Director or Manager, or you may be a high-level Sr. Estimator or Estimating Manager ready to lead at the department level. We are looking for someone who can develop people, create accountability, and raise the capability of the team around them.
• A department builder’s mindset. You see opportunities to improve systems, standards, workflows, tools, and decision-making. You want to help build a scalable preconstruction function, not simply manage the one that exists today.
• An integrated approach to project development. You work best when estimating, design, operations, and business development are solving problems together. You understand that the best preconstruction work creates value well beyond producing an accurate estimate.
• A desire for meaningful ownership. You want visibility into the business, access to leadership, and the opportunity to influence where the company goes next.

Summit is an integrated design-build firm serving agricultural, food and beverage, light industrial, and related clients nationwide. Learn more at summitepc.com.