Director of Preconstruction Services
Location: Portland, ME
Salary: $140,000–$160,000 base + Annual Bonus + ESOP
Industry: Commercial Construction
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Director of Preconstruction Services to lead the planning, estimating, and preconstruction efforts for complex commercial construction projects.
This is a senior leadership position responsible for guiding projects from initial concept through handoff to construction, ensuring alignment between design, budget, schedule, constructability, and client expectations. The Director will also lead and develop the preconstruction team, support business development efforts, and help advance the organization's overall preconstruction strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead development of conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, and value-engineering strategies
- Provide constructability reviews and technical guidance throughout design and preconstruction
- Identify and mitigate risks related to cost, schedule, constructability, and regulatory requirements
- Develop preconstruction schedules, phasing plans, and procurement strategies
- Partner directly with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and internal project teams
- Support proposals, RFP responses, and client presentations
- Develop strong client relationships and contribute to business development efforts
- Recruit, lead, mentor, and develop the preconstruction team
- Establish clear expectations and build bench strength within the department
- Identify opportunities to improve preconstruction processes and practices
- Partner with executive leadership on strategic initiatives and organizational goals
- Ensure a seamless transition from preconstruction into project execution
Qualifications
- 10+ years of commercial construction experience
- Progressive experience in preconstruction and estimating
- Previous experience leading and developing a team
- Proven experience with large, complex commercial construction projects from concept through execution
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field required
- Strong expertise in conceptual estimating, market-based cost analysis, budgeting, and value engineering
- Strong understanding of commercial construction means, methods, materials, systems, contracts, and financial reporting
- Experience with Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and CMAR delivery methods
- Strong knowledge of constructability, procurement, scheduling, permitting, and risk management
- Proven client relationship management and business development skills
- Strong negotiation, communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and construction software such as Sage Estimating, Procore, and scheduling tools
- CPE, PMP, PE, or similar professional certification preferred
- Previous project management experience is a plus
Project Types
Projects include complex commercial construction across:
- Healthcare
- Higher Education
- Housing / Multifamily
- Hospitality
- Institutional
- Other growing commercial sectors
Compensation & Benefits
- $140,000–$160,000 base salary
- Annual bonus
- 100% employee-owned company / ESOP
- 401(k) with company match
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life, disability, and accident insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities