Vice President, Preconstruction

Day & Zimmermann; United States; On-site; USD 219,000 - 329,000; Full time

Job summary

Day & Zimmermann is seeking a Vice President, Preconstruction, Maintenance & Construction to lead the strategic preconstruction function across a diverse portfolio in the United States. You will drive estimating, scheduling, design integration, and risk management to position projects for successful execution.

The role requires senior leadership with deep experience in estimating, cost control, and cross-functional collaboration, shaping decisions that align with business priorities and client

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, architecture or related field.
• At least 15 years in construction, EPC, or design-build with preconstruction leadership.
• Minimum 7 years in senior leadership across multiple functions and locations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a cohesive preconstruction strategy with governance and metrics.
• Oversee preconstruction reviews to validate estimate accuracy and schedule feasibility.
• Integrate estimating with cost strategies and engineering deliverables.
• Collaborate across PM, Construction, procurement, and finance for smooth handoffs.
• Govern front-end planning and design integration to support an executable plan.
• Lead pre-execution risk management and procurement planning.
• Establish handoff processes with clear criteria and signoff protocols.
• Recruit and develop high-performing preconstruction teams.

Skills

Executive leadership

Preconstruction leadership

Estimating & cost control

BIM/VDC

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

BIM/VDC

4D/5D planning

Model-based estimating

Job description

About Day And Zimmermann

No problem is too challenging or complex for Day & Zimmermann Maintenance and Construction (DZMC) because We do what we say! ® We’re here to make life easier for plant owners in the Power, Chemical, and Industrial markets. With our wide-ranging capabilities and long-standing industry experience, we deliver innovative solutions and seamless processes that effectively manage all aspects of the plant life cycle. It’s no wonder we’re the #1 maintenance services provider in the United States. Come join in on our purpose - We put people to work, we protect American freedoms, and we help our customer's power and improve the world! https://www.dayzim.com/services-and-products/maintenance-construction

About Day And Zimmermann

No problem is too challenging or complex for Day & Zimmermann Maintenance and Construction (DZMC) because We do what we say! ® We’re here to make life easier for plant owners in the Power, Chemical, and Industrial markets. With our wide-ranging capabilities and long-standing industry experience, we deliver innovative solutions and seamless processes that effectively manage all aspects of the plant life cycle. It’s no wonder we’re the #1 maintenance services provider in the United States. Come join in on our purpose - We put people to work, we protect American freedoms, and we help our customer's power and improve the world! https://www.dayzim.com/services-and-products/maintenance-construction

What You’ll Lead

As the Vice President, Preconstruction, Maintenance & Construction, you will play a defining role in shaping how complex projects are won, planned, and delivered. As the senior leader responsible for preconstruction excellence, you will ensure project plans are competitive, executable, and positioned for success before financial commitment and mobilization.

You will connect estimating, front-end planning and scheduling, engineering and design integration, procurement planning, risk management, constructability, and digital preconstruction from opportunity development through project handoff and baseline authorization. Partnering with leaders across Project Delivery, Project Management & Construction, Project Controls, Business Development, Engineering, Procurement, Commercial, Finance, IT, and market operations, you will bring teams together around stronger strategies, clearer decisions, and greater project readiness.

This is an opportunity to influence a diverse and complex portfolio, improve predictability across the project lifecycle, and establish the standards that drive disciplined project commitments and successful execution. Your leadership will help strengthen the organization’s preconstruction capabilities and create a lasting impact on how projects are positioned for delivery and client success.

As the Vice President Preconstruction, here is the work you'll do:

• Develop, implement, and lead a cohesive preconstruction strategy that encompasses governance frameworks, performance metrics, and continuous improvement cycles to foster excellence across all preconstruction activities.
• Manage comprehensive review protocols including estimating and front-end planning level reviews to validate estimate accuracy, schedule feasibility, and constructability prior to project execution authorization.
• Oversee integration of estimating practices with cost strategy frameworks ensuring that assumptions, quantity calculations, pricing, contingencies, and escalations are consistently aligned with scope maturity and engineering deliverables.
• Collaborate closely with Project Management, Construction Management, and related functional teams to ensure seamless transition from preconstruction to execution phases, maintaining clear accountability and communication channels post-handoff.
• Lead the governance of front-end planning including design integration and schedule development to confirm deliverables support an executable plan while maintaining engineering accountability through the designated authorities.
• Direct comprehensive pre-execution risk management encompassing scope validation, procurement planning, market engagement, and regulatory compliance to quantify and mitigate risks, while identifying opportunities that enhance project value and execution confidence.
• Establish robust operational handoff processes that define acceptance criteria, signoff protocols, and timing requirements to facilitate smooth project transitions. Ensure all handoff packages are thorough and clearly communicate critical information including scope details, design status, assumptions, contingencies, and identified risks.
• Champion the recruitment, development, and retention of high-performing preconstruction teams skilled in estimating, planning, engineering integration, constructability review, data analytics, automation, and responsible AI-enabled processes.
• Design and implement scalable capability frameworks including career development pathways, training programs, succession planning, and adoption strategies to build long-term organizational strength and value realization within preconstruction functions.

• Proven expertise in establishing and governing preconstruction standards and review practices that effectively coordinate complex project delivery environments with clear decision rights and readiness criteria.
• Executive-level proficiency in estimating, cost control, schedule integration, constructability assessment, and engineering collaboration to critically test project assumptions and align multi-disciplinary execution strategies.
• Advanced skills in risk analysis, procurement strategy, and commercial integration with the ability to objectively quantify project risks and opportunities, shaping informed commitment and pursuit decisions aligned with business and client priorities.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management capabilities, enabling effective advisory interactions with senior leadership and clients, constructive assumption challenging, and alignment of cross-functional teams to maintain plan integrity and accountable project handoffs.
• Strong leadership in digital preconstruction initiatives including BIM/VDC, model-based estimating, and 4D/5D planning methodologies, with the vision to foster analytics, automation, common data environments, and responsible AI-enhanced workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead functional teams, develop emerging leaders, manage performance expectations, establish robust succession plans, and promote collaborative communities of practice spanning direct and matrixed organizational structures.

And If You Have These Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, architecture, or a related technical discipline is required. Equivalent combinations of education and substantial directly relevant executive experience may be considered.
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in construction, engineering, EPC, design-build, or construction management with significant preconstruction leadership responsibilities.
• Minimum of 7 years in senior leadership roles demonstrating accountability across multiple functions, geographic locations, business units, or complex project portfolios.

In compliance with this state’s pay transparency laws, the salary range for this role is $219,433 - $329,150. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as the final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. (The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements).

We care about our employees, and it shows. Our staff receive a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical/Rx, dental and vision coverage; life, AD&D and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; 100% paid maternity leave for up to 12 weeks, parental leave, family leave, other paid time off; voluntary benefits and discount programs to meet our employees’ individual needs including pet insurance for our furry family members!

Diversity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity

Day & Zimmermann is committed to maintaining an inclusive workforce, where employees are hired, retained, compensated and promoted based on their contributions to our Company. Our collective strength is rooted in over a century of diverse employees and businesses, commitment to success, and delivery on promises made. Federal and state Equal Employment Opportunity laws prohibit employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status and disability status. Day & Zimmermann is committed to providing an equal opportunity work environment in full compliance with these laws. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation in the application process, please email [e-mail], and please specify which position you are interested in, including job title and location.