Director of Preconstruction

Socket.dev; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision & dental insurance for

PTO

Paid holidays

401K with 4% match

Company vehicle with fuel card

Job summary

Cooper Tacia General Contracting is seeking an experienced Director of Preconstruction to lead all preconstruction services from our Raleigh and Atlanta offices. You will manage estimating, lead teams, and foster client and subcontractor relationships to transition projects from concept to construction.

The ideal candidate has 15–20 years in preconstruction/estimating within commercial construction, with 8+ years in senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, architecture, or related field.
• 15–20 years of progressive experience in preconstruction and estimating within commercial construction.
• At least 8 years in a senior leadership or director role.
• Proven track record managing complex $10M–$50M projects across CM-at-Risk, design-build, and hard-bid.
• Expert-level proficiency in estimating platforms and construction management tools (MS Office, ProEst, Bluebeam, Procore, Salesforce).

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership of all preconstruction functions, including conceptual estimating and GMP development.
• Serve as main contact with clients, designers, consultants, and trade partners on major projects.
• Lead strategic planning and execution of project pursuits aligned with company goals.
• Mentor and manage a team of preconstruction professionals.
• Implement and maintain preconstruction standards and best practices across projects.
• Champion technological innovation and adopt new estimating tools and trends.
• Collaborate with leadership to ensure seamless project transitions and growth.

Skills

Estimating software proficiency

Leadership

Client relationships

Strategic planning

Executive communication

CAD/BIM familiarity

MS Office Suite

ProEst

Bluebeam

MS Project

Procore

Salesforce

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, architecture, or related field

Master’s degree in business administration or advanced construction-related discipline (preferred)

Tools

ProEst

Bluebeam

MS Project

Procore

Salesforce

CAD/BIM technologies

MS Office Suite

Job description

Since its incorporation in 2003, Cooper Tacia General Contracting has evolved from residential construction and renovation in Sanford, NC to large-scale manufacturing, office buildings, government and education facilities, restaurant and retail spaces, apartment complexes and airport construction throughout the southeastern United States. What has remained constant is our goal of becoming one of the most sought after, creative and dynamic project management and general contracting companies in the southeast. Cooper Tacia is committed to working toward its mission while keeping its operating principles top of mind.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Preconstruction to oversee and lead all preconstruction services out of our Raleigh and Atlanta offices. This role is instrumental in ensuring the successful transition of projects from concept to construction by managing estimating processes, leading teams, and cultivating client and subcontractor relationships. The ideal candidate will bring deep industry knowledge, exceptional leadership skills, and a passion for innovation.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and oversight of all preconstruction functions, including conceptual estimating, GMP development, value engineering, and proposal strategy for complex commercial construction projects.
• Serve as the key point of contact with clients, design professionals, consultants, and trade partners on major projects throughout the preconstruction lifecycle.
• Lead the strategic planning and execution of project pursuits, ensuring alignment with Cooper Tacia’s financial, operational, and client service goals.
• Oversee, mentor, and manage a team of preconstruction professionals, promoting an environment of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.
• Implement and maintain preconstruction standards and best practices across all projects, ensuring consistency and quality control in all deliverables.
• Champion technological innovation and continuously evaluate and integrate emerging estimating tools, construction technologies, and market trends.
• Collaborate with executive leadership across operations, field supervision, business development, and marketing to ensure seamless project transitions and long-term growth

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related field is required; a master’s in business administration or advanced degree in construction-related discipline is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 15-20 years of progressive experience in preconstruction and estimating roles within the commercial construction industry, including at least 8 years in a senior leadership or director-level capacity.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex commercial projects ranging from $10M to $50M across multiple delivery methods, including CM-at-Risk, design-build, and hard-bid.
• Expert-level proficiency in estimating platforms and construction management tools, including MS Office Suite, ProEst, Bluebeam, MS Project, Procore, and Salesforce.
• Familiarity with CAD/BIM technologies, model-based quantity takeoff, and clash detection workflows is a significant advantage.
• Strong business acumen, analytical mindset, and executive-level communication and leadership skills.

Employment Type

Full-time

Benefits

• 100% Employer Paid Health, Vision & Dental Insurance for employee
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• 401K W/ 4% Match
• Company vehicle with fuel card (add only when needed)

We are an equal opportunity and drug-free workplace. Pre-employment drug screening required.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. Personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.