Director of Preconstruction-Drywall

Kimmel Associates; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-Based Incentive

Retirement Savings Plan

Health Plan

Paid Time Off

Professional Development Support

Advancement and Growth Opportunities

Job summary

Kimmel Associates client in the Midwest specialty contracting space seeks a Director of Preconstruction to lead and modernize estimating and preconstruction functions, bridging leadership, estimating, and project delivery teams.

Responsibilities include overseeing bidding, pricing reviews, pipeline alignment with leadership, defining KPIs, coaching the estimating team, and ensuring smooth handoffs to operations while preserving a relationship-driven culture.

Qualifications

• 10+ years estimating and preconstruction in commercial construction
• Experience building or overhauling estimating systems and teams
• Expertise in cost modeling, bid management for negotiated and hard-bid projects
• Experience with CRM tools and estimating software (OST, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, BuildingConnected)
• Strong business development, market intelligence, and pipeline reporting
• Excellent communication and leadership across ownership, field, and office
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience considered

Responsibilities

• Oversee all estimating operations, bid selection, pricing reviews and approvals
• Align pipeline and business development with leadership
• Define preconstruction KPIs like hit rate and margin performance
• Coach estimating team on technical skills and business acumen
• Collaborate with Operations to ensure smooth handoff from preconstruction to delivery
• Preserve relationship-driven culture in a family-owned environment

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

CRM management

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

OST

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

BuildingConnected

Job description

About Company

This client is one of nation’s top Specialty Contractors in the Midwest specializing in drywall, acoustical ceilings (ACT), and specialty interior finishes. The organization is a trusted trade partner across commercial, institutional, and multifamily projects, having built its reputation on craftsmanship, reliability, and long-standing client relationships. As a company, we combine a warm, collaborative culture with a drive for world class excellence. Dedicated to building a team that reflects the community-minded spirit of the Midwest while delivering the best results for our clients nationwide.

About the Position

The Director of Preconstruction will lead and modernize the company's estimating and preconstruction function, serving as a bridge between leadership, estimating, and project delivery teams. This newly created leadership role goes beyond managing bids and pricing, it involves building the systems, tools, and workflows that will drive long-term efficiency and growth. Responsibilities include overseeing all estimating operations (bid selection, pricing reviews, and approvals), managing pipeline and business development alignment with leadership, defining preconstruction KPIs such as hit rate and margin performance, and coaching the estimating team on both technical skill and business acumen. The role requires close collaboration with Operations to ensure a smooth handoff from preconstruction to project execution, all while preserving the personal, relationship-driven culture that defines the company.

Qualifications and Requirements

• 10+ years of estimating and preconstruction experience within commercial construction; strong preference for drywall, ACT, or building envelope trades.
• Proven ability to build or overhaul systems and teams, not just maintain them.
• Expertise in estimating processes, cost modeling, and bid management for negotiated and hard-bid projects.
• Experience managing CRM tools and estimating software (e.g., OST, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, BuildingConnected, or similar).
• Strong grasp of business development fundamentals, including market intelligence, customer relationship management, and pipeline reporting.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to build trust quickly across ownership, field, and office teams.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on, collaborative style; comfortable in a family-owned, entrepreneurial environment.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience in lieu of degree will be considered.

Benefits

• Performance-Based Incentive – Competitive base salary plus bonus
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Health Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Professional Development Support
• Advancement and Growth Opportunities