Director, Pre-Construction

Our client is focused on multi-family residential construction across California. They're looking for a Director of Pre-Construction to own the estimating process from feasibility through permitted drawings. This person manages cost estimating staff and works closely with development, architecture, and construction teams to keep projects on budget before a shovel hits the ground.

Why This Role Stands Out:

• You'll have ownership over the full pre-construction process. From early conceptual budgets through final subcontractor negotiations, this role covers the whole cycle.
• This position collaborates with owners, architects, agencies, and development staff, so your input carries weight across the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning and estimating phase for multi-family affordable housing projects from concept through permitted construction documents.
• Produce quantity takeoffs and develop comprehensive budgets at each stage of design, including conceptual, schematic, design development, and permitted sets.
• Provide high-level preliminary estimates for planning and feasibility, as well as detailed itemized estimates based on final plans and specifications.
• Facilitate value engineering exercises to identify cost reduction opportunities without compromising project goals.
• Review architectural, consultant, and construction agreement scopes of work for completeness and accuracy.
• Analyze cost factors and produce recommendations to support planning, scheduling, and organizational decision-making.
• Conduct special studies to establish standard labor hours, cost data, and cost reduction opportunities.
• Revise estimates as project scope or design evolves.
• Coordinate the bid process, including writing scopes of work, leveling bids, and negotiating contracts with subcontractors and suppliers.
• Review contract terms and conditions to confirm compliance across all agreements.
• Screen, qualify, select, and manage procurement of subcontractors and suppliers, negotiating costs, scope, and deal points.
• Maintain productive working relationships with owners, architects, city and county agencies, and subcontractors.
• Consult with clients, vendors, and other stakeholders to develop estimates and resolve scope or cost issues.
• Assist development staff with estimates and support design coordination to align with company goals and project feasibility.
• Supervise and develop cost estimating staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• 8 years of experience in construction, including multi-family residential projects.
• Prior working knowledge of residential multi-family construction, cost estimation methods, and quantity takeoffs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Project.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with affordable housing design and construction.
• Familiarity with online project management software.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to interface across multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving ability and attention to detail.
• Team-oriented approach with a strong sense of urgency.

Compensation:

*The below represents the lowest to highest expected salary range for this job opening upon hire. Our client ultimately may pay more or less than the posted salary range, and the salary range may be modified in the future. Our client will consider job-related factors including, but not limited to, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs when determining pay.