DIRECTOR OF PRECONSTRUCTION/ESTIMATING

Bancroft Construction Co.; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Disability and life insurance

Paid leave and holidays

401(k) plan with company match

Employee assistance program

Training and professional development

Job summary

Bancroft Construction Co. in Wilmington, DE seeks a Director of Preconstruction to lead all preconstruction services, including estimating, budgeting, design-phase work, and trade partner relationships, while aligning Preconstruction with Operations and Executive Leadership.

The ideal candidate will champion LEAN methods, drive pursuit strategy, mentor the Preconstruction team, and oversee cost planning, risk assessment, and value engineering, using BIM/VDC tools to enhance profitability and

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of architecture, engineering, construction methods, and design processes.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams and driving results.
• Experience in conceptual, negotiated, GMP, and lump-sum estimating.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Preconstruction Department aligned with Bancroft's strategic objectives.
• Establish departmental goals, KPIs, and performance expectations.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development for team members.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the department.
• Guide cost planning, risk assessment, value engineering, and constructability reviews.
• Ensure adoption of standard estimating processes and best practices.
• Support project teams during buyout, contract issuance, turnover, and closeout.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Communication skills

LEAN principles

Industry knowledge

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture

Tools

Estimating software

Procore

BIM/VDC platforms

Microsoft Office Suite

Project management systems

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

DIRECTOR OF PRECONSTRUCTION/ESTIMATING

Management Wilmington, DE, US

10 days ago Requisition ID: 1380

If you take initiative, enjoy working in collaborative environments, and are committed to excellence, we would love to meet you. We seek individuals who are driven to succeed, humble, and skilled in building strong relationships.

At Bancroft, we believe great teams are formed by motivated, collaborative, and emotionally intelligent people. This involves working with dedication and enthusiasm, being open to learning, valuing the contributions of others, and communicating thoughtfully to create a meaningful impact.

Bancroft is seeking a Director of Preconstruction to provide strategic leadership for all preconstruction services across the organization. This position serves as the leader of the Preconstruction Department and is responsible for overseeing estimating, bidding, budgeting, design-phase services, trade partner relationships, and preconstruction innovation initiatives.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team and Senior Staff, the Director of Preconstruction plays a key role in shaping company strategy, supporting business development efforts, driving operational excellence, and ensuring alignment between Preconstruction, Operations, Business Development, and Executive Leadership.

This role balances strategic leadership with operational oversight, providing direction to the Preconstruction team while maintaining involvement in key pursuits, major estimates, client relationships, and departmental performance.

At Bancroft, we are on a LEAN Journey. The Director of Preconstruction will champion the integration of LEAN practices and tools throughout the preconstruction process, supporting the development of Target Value Delivery, Last Planner System, and other continuous improvement initiatives.

• Lead and develop the Preconstruction Department in alignment with Bancroft's strategic objectives.
• Establish departmental goals, performance expectations, priorities, and key performance indicators.
• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for Preconstruction team members.
• Build succession plans and leadership development pathways within the department.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Manage staffing plans, workload distribution, and resource allocation across the department.
• Conduct performance reviews and support employee development plans.

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team and Senior Staff.
• Participate in organizational planning, strategic initiatives, and company-wide decision making.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to support growth objectives, market expansion, and operational excellence.
• Evaluate industry trends, technology advancements, AI applications, and emerging delivery methods to maintain competitive advantages.
• Develop and implement departmental strategies that support company profitability and long-term growth.
• Provide overall leadership and strategic oversight for conceptual, schematic, design development, GMP, and construction document estimates.
• Ensure consistency, accuracy, quality, and competitiveness across all estimating efforts.
• Support project teams during buyout, contract issuance, turnover, and project closeout.
• Guide risk assessment, value engineering, constructability reviews, and cost planning efforts.
• Ensure adoption of standard estimating processes, procedures, and best practices.

Business Development & Client Relations

• Partner with Business Development on pursuit strategies, proposal development, interviews, and client presentations.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, and trade partners.
• Participate in key client meetings and strategic pursuits.
• Support backlog growth and work acquisition goals.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients during project planning and design development.

Operational Collaboration

• Partner with Operations leadership to ensure successful project transitions from Preconstruction to Construction.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Business Development, Finance, and Operations teams to support organizational objectives.
• Facilitate alignment between project delivery, scheduling, estimating, procurement, and project execution teams.
• Support strategic planning around project pipeline, staffing forecasts, and resource management.
• Champion the implementation and advancement of LEAN methodologies throughout the preconstruction process.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement software, technology, AI solutions, and process improvements.
• Maintain and improve estimating databases, historical cost information, benchmarking tools, and reporting systems.
• Advance VDC, BIM, and digital construction capabilities within the preconstruction function.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of architecture, engineering, construction methods, and design processes.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Civil
  • Building Shell
  • Building Finish
  • Process
  • HVAC
  • Electrical
• Proven leadership experience managing teams, developing talent, and driving organizational results.
• Significant experience with conceptual, negotiated, GMP, and lump-sum estimating.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with clients, design professionals, and trade partners.
• Experience leading large and complex commercial construction pursuits.
• Working knowledge of LEAN principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency with estimating software, project management systems, Procore, BIM/VDC platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and related technologies.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, presentation, negotiation, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of commercial construction experience.
• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience within preconstruction, estimating, project management, or construction operations.
• Experience leading high-performing teams and managing complex commercial construction projects exceeding $20 million preferred.

Salary Range:

Starting salary is based on relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

We Provide:

• Medical Benefits* (No Waiting Period)
• Short-Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Paid Leave and Supplemental Insurances
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Training, Professional Development, and Education Opportunities