Director of Preconstruction

We Search People; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k)

PTO and paid holidays

Job summary

We Search People are partnering with an established commercial General Contractor in Pennsylvania to appoint a Director of Preconstruction. This senior role leads the Preconstruction and Estimating function and mentors the team, overseeing projects from pursuit through handoff to operations.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in commercial construction, strong leadership, and expertise in conceptual estimating, value engineering, GMP development, and client-facing collaboration.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of commercial construction experience, ideally with a General Contractor.
• Strong background in Preconstruction and/or Estimating.
• Experience managing large and complex commercial projects.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Strong knowledge of conceptual estimating, hard bidding, negotiated work and GMP development
• Excellent understanding of construction costs, subcontractor markets and value engineering
• Strong communication and client-facing skills
• Ability to operate at both a strategic and hands-on level

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the Preconstruction and Estimating function
• Manage projects through conceptual estimating, budgeting and GMP development
• Oversee bid strategy, subcontractor coverage and scope analysis
• Lead value engineering and constructability reviews
• Review estimates, proposals and bid packages for accuracy and completeness
• Work closely with clients, architects, engineers and trade partners
• Partner with Operations to ensure a seamless transition from preconstruction into construction
• Mentor and develop Estimators and Preconstruction Managers
• Support project pursuits, presentations and client relationships
• Help improve preconstruction processes, systems and overall department performance

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Client-facing

Strategic thinking

Job description

Director of Preconstruction | Commercial General Contractor

Pennsylvania

$160,000 - $200,000+ Base Salary + Bonus & Benefits

We Search People are partnering with an established and growing commercial General Contractor in Pennsylvania to appoint a Director of Preconstruction.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced preconstruction professional who can lead the department, develop and mentor the team, and oversee projects from initial pursuit through estimating, budgeting, value engineering and handoff to operations.

The Role:

• Lead and oversee the Preconstruction and Estimating function


• Manage projects through conceptual estimating, budgeting and GMP development


• Oversee bid strategy, subcontractor coverage and scope analysis


• Lead value engineering and constructability reviews


• Review estimates, proposals and bid packages for accuracy and completeness


• Work closely with clients, architects, engineers and trade partners


• Partner with Operations to ensure a seamless transition from preconstruction into construction


• Mentor and develop Estimators and Preconstruction Managers


• Support project pursuits, presentations and client relationships


• Help improve preconstruction processes, systems and overall department performance

What We're Looking For:

• 10+ years of commercial construction experience, ideally with a General Contractor


• Strong background in Preconstruction and/or Estimating


• Experience managing large and complex commercial projects


• Proven leadership and team management experience


• Strong knowledge of conceptual estimating, hard bidding, negotiated work and GMP development


• Excellent understanding of construction costs, subcontractor markets and value engineering


• Strong communication and client-facing skills


• Ability to operate at both a strategic and hands-on level

What's On Offer:

• $160K - $200K+ base salary, dependent on experience


• Performance-based bonus


• Comprehensive benefits package


• 401(k)


• PTO and paid holidays


• Senior leadership position with genuine influence over the business


• Long-term career progression with an established and growing commercial GC

This is an excellent opportunity for a Senior Preconstruction Manager, Chief Estimator or current Director of Preconstruction ready to take ownership of a key department within a growing contractor.