Preconstruction Director - Advanced Manufacturing / Science & Technology

National Science Teachers Association; Arlington, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

National Science Teachers Association seeks a Preconstruction Director to lead enterprise-level preconstruction in the Advanced Manufacturing / Science & Technology Division. You will drive strategy, standardization, and performance across estimating, VDC, and procurement to deliver high-quality GMPs.

Leadership of multi-location teams, development of talent, and collaboration with owners and trade partners are essential to ensure successful transitions from preconstruction to operations on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical field.
• 10-15+ years of experience across preconstruction, estimating, operations, procurement, scheduling, or supply chain management.
• Experience leading preconstruction departments, managers, and multidisciplinary teams.
• 5-10+ years of construction management or A/E industry experience.
• Experience with CMAR, Design-Build, and IPD delivery methods.
• Design-phase and Design-Build management experience preferred.
• Strong experience in Advanced Manufacturing or Life Sciences, or other technically complex construction sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction strategy and execution across major projects and pursuits.
• Oversee estimating, value engineering, constructability reviews, VDC, scheduling, procurement, permitting, logistics, and project planning.
• Ensure accurate, well-documented proposals and GMPs aligned with project risk and delivery strategy.
• Support multiple delivery methods including CMAR, Design-Build, and IPD.
• Ensure smooth project transitions from preconstruction into operations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with owners, design teams, consultants, and trade partners.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Negotiation

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical field

Tools

BIM

Job description

Preconstruction Director - Advanced Manufacturing / Science & Technology

The Preconstruction Director leads enterprise-level preconstruction within the Advanced Manufacturing / Science & Technology Division, ensuring high-quality, low-risk GMPs, seamless handoffs to operations, and a strong experience for clients and trade partners.

Role Overview

Leadership & Strategy

• Partner with divisional and regional leadership to scale preconstruction teams and capabilities in line with strategic growth plans.
• Translate business strategy into clear priorities and goals for preconstruction teams.
• Drive consistency in preconstruction standards, processes, tools, and technology across the division.

People Leadership

• Build, develop, and retain high-performing teams.
• Oversee estimating, purchasing, and VDC functions alongside department leaders.
• Manage staffing, workload planning, succession planning, career development, and performance.
• Coach and mentor managers and future leaders.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive working environment.

Preconstruction Delivery

• Lead preconstruction strategy and execution across major projects and pursuits.
• Oversee estimating, value engineering, constructability reviews, VDC, scheduling, procurement, permitting, logistics, and project planning.
• Ensure accurate, well-documented proposals and GMPs aligned with project risk and delivery strategy.
• Support multiple delivery methods including CMAR, Design-Build, and IPD.
• Ensure smooth project transitions from preconstruction into operations.

Estimating & Cost Management

• Partner with estimating leadership to maintain historical cost databases across Advanced Manufacturing, Science & Technology project types.
• Drive conceptual estimating, cost planning, value engineering, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure estimating assumptions, scopes, contingencies, and pricing strategies are clearly documented.
• Monitor financial performance, recoverability, and preconstruction budgets.

Procurement & Trade Partners

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and trade partners.
• Maintain subcontractor performance data to support buyout and risk decisions.
• Identify additional trade partners to expand capacity in key markets.
• Support early procurement and long-lead equipment strategies.

VDC & Technology

• Partner with VDC leadership to develop project-specific BIM execution plans.
• Drive adoption of technology and innovative preconstruction processes.
• Improve consistency, efficiency, quality, and risk management through standardized tools and workflows.

Clients & Business Development

• Partner with Business Development on pursuits, client capture strategies, and account planning.
• Participate in client presentations and major pursuit strategies.
• Strengthen relationships with owners, design teams, consultants, and trade partners.
• Support fee strategy, profitability, and margin enhancement on new work.

Risk & Operations

• Partner closely with Operations to align estimates with logistics, phasing, procurement, constructability, and execution strategies.
• Review contracts with leadership and legal teams to identify risk and fee opportunities.
• Identify potential project risks early and develop mitigation strategies.
• Train Operations teams on preconstruction standards and processes.

Key Competencies

• Strategic business and market awareness
• Strong financial and technical understanding
• Executive-level communication and presentation skills
• Negotiation and facilitation
• Building and developing high-performing teams
• Accountability and performance management
• Coaching and leadership development
• Change managementClient and trade partner relationship development
• Cross-functional leadership within complex organizations

Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical field.
• 10-15+ years of experience across preconstruction, estimating, operations, procurement, scheduling, or supply chain management.
• Experience leading preconstruction departments, managers, and multidisciplinary teams.
• 5-10+ years of construction management or A/E industry experience.
• Experience with multiple project delivery methods including CMAR, Design-Build, and IPD preferred.
• Design-phase and Design-Build management experience preferred.
• Strong experience within Advanced Manufacturing, Mission Critical, Life Sciences, or other technically complex construction sectors highly desirable.

Skills & Abilities

• Advanced presentation, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
• Strong financial and technical acumen.
• Ability to build and lead cross-functional teams across multiple locations.
• Strong strategic thinking and structured decision-making.
• Ability to drive organizational change and process improvement.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Proven track record of delivering results within complex construction environments.