Director of Preconstruction

Pence Contractors; Lake Oswego (OR); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Pence Contractors in Portland, OR is seeking a Director of Preconstruction to lead a technology-enabled team responsible for estimating, cost modeling, benchmarking, and procurement planning across project lifecycles.

The role includes client-facing preconstruction interactions and internal system modernization, ensuring accurate takeoffs, standardized workflows, and data governance while guiding staff through change management.

Qualifications

• Must have a degree in engineering or construction management or equivalent industry experience.
• 5–7 years minimum experience in commercial construction; experience with various project types is helpful.
• Ability to build relationships with owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong organizational skills.
• Strong math and analytical skills regarding cost/pricing of material, labor and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for all quantity takeoff and estimating functions.
• Standardize unit cost databases and workflows.
• Improve speed, accuracy and presentation.
• Integrate take‑off workflows with estimating systems.
• Develop model‑based quantity extraction tools.
• Maintain estimating standards and compliance across all offices and market sectors.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Client relationship management

Team management

Analytical skills

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Bluebeam

OST

Sage

Ediphi

VDC platforms

Job description

Job Overview The Director of Preconstruction is responsible for leading a best‑in‑class, technology‑enabled organization that delivers superior cost certainty, benchmarking, procurement strategy, and owner value throughout the project lifecycle. This role will oversee preconstruction staff and all estimating, quantity takeoff, budgeting, cost modeling, benchmarking, procurement planning, design management, and preconstruction operations for Pence Contractors. The role includes client‑facing preconstruction interactions as well as project pursuit interview responsibilities. The successful candidate will preserve and optimize proven estimating workflows while introducing new capabilities that improve decision‑making, estimate accuracy, cost intelligence, and owner‑facing presentations.

Department: Operations

Location: Portland, OR

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for all quantity takeoff and estimating functions.
• Standardize unit cost databases and workflows.
• Improve speed, accuracy and presentation.
• Integrate take‑off workflows with estimating systems.
• Develop model‑based quantity extraction tools.
• Maintain estimating standards and compliance across all offices and market sectors.

Technology Transformation Responsibilities

• Lead the evolution and optimization of the company’s preconstruction systems.
• Develop a multi‑year department development roadmap.
• Integrate internal and external data sources into estimating processes.
• Establish data governance standards.
• Create a seamless flow of information between systems.
• Ensure successful user adoption and change management.

Qualifications

• Must have a degree in engineering or construction management or equivalent industry experience.
• 5–7 years minimum experience in commercial construction. Experience with schools, multi‑family, healthcare, civic/government, or senior living building projects is extremely helpful.
• Ability to build relationships with owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors that lead to positive outcomes.
• Must have superior computer skills to operate and build systems around Microsoft Office, Bluebeam, OST, Sage, Ediphi, and virtual design + construction platforms.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Self‑directed with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong math and analytical skills regarding cost/pricing of material, labor and equipment.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.

Pence Attitudes

• Curiosity: Insatiable curiosity is at the heart of preconstruction. A drive to uncover problems and solutions, when they are not obvious, is critical.
• Determination: The persistent pursuit of information, problems, and solutions despite obstacles is how we solve problems before they exist on job sites.
• Enthusiasm: Enthusiasm for the work is essential to maintain one’s own interest in the work as well as the interest of department staff, internal partners, and external partners.
• Responsibility: We owe our clients, partners, and project teams well‑presented, accurate, and timely information.

Pence Values

• We forge relationships with mutual respect.
• We are driven to constantly improve.
• We succeed together.
• We give of ourselves to fulfill our purpose.
• We keep our promises, even when no one is looking.
• We care for the safety and wellbeing of people.