VP of Pre-Construction

Cornerstone Recruiting; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone Recruiting is seeking an experienced Vice President of Pre-Construction to lead its growing pre-construction organization. You will supervise Pre-Construction Managers and Estimators, drive estimating accuracy, value engineering, budgeting, and project profitability across multiple commercial projects.

You will partner with executive leadership, business development, engineering, and operations to win work, mentor staff, and ensure seamless transition from pre-construction to

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience.
• Experience leading pre-construction teams in commercial construction.
• Experience with structural steel, ornamental and miscellaneous metals, and glazing.
• Strong financial acumen with ability to drive project profitability.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to travel occasionally to project sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of the pre-construction process from conceptual design through project turnover to construction operations.
• Provide strategic leadership to Pre-Construction Managers and Estimators.
• Direct conceptual estimating, budgeting, value engineering, cost analysis, and proposal development for commercial construction projects.
• Collaborate with Business Development and executive leadership to pursue new opportunities, participate in client presentations, negotiate project awards, and strengthen client relationships.
• Oversee design coordination, engineering, drafting, procurement planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to ensure projects remain on schedule and within budget.
• Develop innovative, cost-effective construction solutions while maintaining quality, constructability, and client expectations.
• Ensure project estimates, engineering, shop drawings, and design solutions align with project budgets and contractual requirements.
• Oversee procurement strategies for subcontractors and materials while maintaining strong vendor and supplier relationships.
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate budgeting, project forecasting, billings, and financial reporting.
• Lead project handoff meetings to ensure construction teams receive complete and accurate project information before execution.
• Monitor project financial performance, profitability, schedules, risk management, quality, and client satisfaction across multiple projects.
• Support company safety initiatives and ensure projects meet all quality, compliance, and safety objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Estimating

Budgeting

Client relations

Project planning

Negotiation

Job description

Highly respected specialty contractor, is seeking an experienced Vice President of Pre-Construction to lead its growing pre-construction organization. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the pre-construction process while partnering closely with executive leadership, business development, engineering, operations, and clients to deliver exceptional project outcomes.

The Vice President of Pre-Construction will lead a team of Pre-Construction Managers and Estimators while driving estimating accuracy, value engineering, project planning, budgeting, and overall project profitability. This individual will play a critical role in securing new business, mentoring staff, improving processes, and ensuring projects transition seamlessly from pre-construction into operations. Experience with structural steel, ornamental and miscellaneous metals, and/or glazing required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of the pre-construction process from conceptual design through project turnover to construction operations.
• Provide strategic leadership to Pre-Construction Managers and Estimators.
• Direct conceptual estimating, budgeting, value engineering, cost analysis, and proposal development for commercial construction projects.
• Collaborate with Business Development and executive leadership to pursue new opportunities, participate in client presentations, negotiate project awards, and strengthen client relationships.
• Oversee design coordination, engineering, drafting, procurement planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to ensure projects remain on schedule and within budget.
• Develop innovative, cost-effective construction solutions while maintaining quality, constructability, and client expectations.
• Ensure project estimates, engineering, shop drawings, and design solutions align with project budgets and contractual requirements.
• Oversee procurement strategies for subcontractors and materials while maintaining strong vendor and supplier relationships.
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate budgeting, project forecasting, billings, and financial reporting.
• Lead project handoff meetings to ensure construction teams receive complete and accurate project information before execution.
• Monitor project financial performance, profitability, schedules, risk management, quality, and client satisfaction across multiple projects.
• Support company safety initiatives and ensure projects meet all quality, compliance, and safety objectives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading pre-construction teams within the commercial construction industry that includes experience with structural steel, ornamental and miscellaneous metals, and glazing.
• Strong background in estimating, budgeting, conceptual design, value engineering, and project planning.
• Experience managing multiple large-scale commercial construction projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated success partnering with business development teams to win negotiated work.
• Strong financial acumen with experience driving project profitability and managing project risk.
• Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience.
• Experience managing projects valued at $5 million or more.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience managing teams and support staff.
• Ability to travel occasionally to project sites as needed.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a financially stable and growing organization that has built an exceptional reputation for delivering complex and iconic commercial construction projects. The Vice President of Pre-Construction will have a seat at the executive leadership table and play a significant role in shaping company strategy, driving operational excellence, mentoring future leaders, and supporting continued business growth.