Director, Preconstruction & Estimating

This Jobot Job is hosted by: Merwan Zattam
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Salary: $185,000 - $245,000 per year

A bit about us:

We exist to make better buildings faster. We are part of a larger framework - Design Manufacture Construct (DMC) - that guide building design so that construction can leverage manufacturing productivity. We’re made up of smart architects, engineers, manufacturers, programmers, and other generalists that are united by the notion that to make great things intelligently is a worthy pursuit. We are seeking a talented and energetic Architects to join our design group. Job description: As a Program Architect, you will work with project teams in a dynamic, rapid-growth work environment with bright and talented engineers, architects, designers, builders, crafters, and manufacturers to improve and deploy a prototype building program and to build an alternative to the traditional construction industry. From desk to factory floor to job sites and client meetings, you will be challenged to develop your skills in a new field, taking a critical role in project delivery via the DMC methodology

Why join us?

We offer the full spectrum of comprehensive benefits including: health, dental, and vision insurance. We also offer flexible spending accounts, paid time off, short term disability, long term disability, life insurance and a 401k plan.

Job Details

Director of Estimating & Preconstruction
Industry: Construction | Modular Construction | Design-Build | Advanced Manufacturing
Position Type: Full-Time | Executive Leadership
Travel: Up to 35%
Reports To: Executive Leadership

Position Overview
We are seeking an accomplished Director of Estimating & Preconstruction to lead and oversee the estimating and preconstruction function for an innovative construction organization specializing in advanced manufacturing, modular construction, and integrated building solutions.
This executive-level leadership position will oversee estimating operations across multiple project sectors, including data centers, healthcare, retail, and emerging building markets.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience leading large-scale estimating and preconstruction teams, developing pricing strategies, managing financial risk, and driving profitability across complex construction programs.
This individual will be responsible for the accuracy, consistency, and financial performance of all estimates, while establishing organizational standards, strengthening cost intelligence, and supporting strategic business growth.
The role requires a proven leader who can operate at both the strategic and operational levels, collaborate with executive leadership, and build a high-performing estimating organization capable of supporting significant growth.

Key Responsibilities
Estimating & Preconstruction Leadership

• Provide executive oversight of estimating and preconstruction operations across multiple construction programs and building sectors.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-level organization of Associate Directors, Estimating Managers, Senior Estimators, and preconstruction professionals.
• Establish and enforce company-wide estimating standards, procedures, templates, and best practices.
• Oversee conceptual, schematic, design development, and Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) estimates.
• Maintain final pricing review and approval authority before executive sign-off.
• Ensure estimates accurately reflect project scope, materials, labor, manufacturing requirements, construction methods, schedules, contingencies, and risks.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive cost databases, historical pricing benchmarks, productivity metrics, and estimating models.
• Lead estimate-to-actual cost reviews to improve pricing accuracy, protect margins, and strengthen future project estimates.
• Develop pricing strategies and cost models for new construction markets, building types, and delivery methods.
• Oversee estimating resource allocation, staffing requirements, technology investments, and departmental capacity planning.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators, including estimating accuracy, project hit rates, margin variance, pursuit cycle times, and resource utilization.

Financial Strategy & Risk Management

• Take ownership of estimating accuracy, pricing integrity, and profitability across the organization.
• Develop and implement pricing strategies that balance competitiveness, project risk, and financial performance.
• Establish organizational policies for contingencies, escalation allowances, cost assumptions, and risk mitigation.
• Evaluate project opportunities and provide recommendations on bid/no-bid decisions based on profitability, available resources, and strategic alignment.
• Lead pricing reviews and resolve complex estimating challenges, scope discrepancies, and commercial risks.
• Collaborate with Finance, Operations, Construction, and Executive Leadership to ensure estimates align with financial objectives.
• Develop and present pricing, margin, risk, and pursuit performance reports to executive leadership and Board-level stakeholders.
• Support capital planning, manufacturing capacity evaluations, labor market analysis, and supply chain cost forecasting.

Preconstruction & Project Delivery

• Direct preconstruction activities, including subcontractor solicitation, bid evaluation, scope reviews, pricing analysis, and award recommendations.
• Establish consistent processes for subcontractor and supplier buyout strategies.
• Oversee value engineering initiatives to improve project economics, constructability, and overall delivery efficiency.
• Partner with Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Construction, and Supply Chain teams to develop accurate and executable project estimates.
• Establish scheduling assumptions and preconstruction standards that support successful project execution.
• Ensure seamless project transitions from preconstruction to operations, including accurate transfer of budgets, schedules, risks, assumptions, and supporting documentation.
• Collaborate with field operations and construction engineering teams to improve quantity takeoffs, labor estimating, constructability reviews, and self-perform estimating practices.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating processes, technology, and project delivery methodologies.

Client Relations & Commercial Leadership

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with senior-level clients, developers, contractors, consultants, and commercial partners.
• Serve as a senior representative during major project pursuits, pricing presentations, and contract negotiations.
• Lead commercial pricing discussions and communicate project cost structures, assumptions, and risk considerations.
• Develop long-term pricing strategies, program agreements, escalation frameworks, and shared-savings models.
• Partner with Business Development and Executive Leadership to evaluate new market opportunities and strategic pursuits.
• Support the preparation and review of technical proposals, commercial submissions, and contract pricing.
• Represent the organization as a subject matter expert in modular construction, estimating practices, cost modeling, and construction productivity.

Organizational Development & Innovation

• Build and scale a high-performing estimating and preconstruction department.
• Establish succession planning, leadership development, performance management, and talent acquisition strategies.
• Identify opportunities to leverage advanced estimating software, automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
• Direct improvements to estimating databases, ERP integrations, reporting tools, and cost intelligence systems.
• Champion the adoption of modern construction technologies and innovative estimating methodologies.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, safety, and quality.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Data Analytics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant construction industry experience, including at least 6 years in estimating and preconstruction leadership.
• Demonstrated experience leading estimating managers and senior-level estimating professionals across multiple programs or business units.
• Proven responsibility for estimating and preconstruction operations involving more than $250 million in annual project pursuit value.
• Strong background in large-scale construction estimating, cost modeling, pricing strategy, and financial risk management.
• Demonstrated success improving estimate accuracy, project win rates, profitability, and estimate-to-actual cost performance.
• Experience establishing and implementing company-wide estimating standards, processes, and cost databases.
• Proven ability to develop and scale estimating departments, including hiring, mentoring, organizational restructuring, and succession planning.
• Experience presenting complex pricing strategies, financial performance, and project risks to executive leadership and senior client stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success developing estimating capabilities for new building types, markets, or construction delivery models.
• Strong knowledge of construction delivery methods, procurement strategies, contract structures, and risk allocation.
• Experience managing complex pricing negotiations and resolving critical estimating or commercial challenges.
• Advanced proficiency with estimating platforms such as Building Connected, Sage Estimating, Timberline, WinEst, or comparable systems.
• Strong scheduling knowledge and experience with Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, particularly for financial modeling, pricing analysis, and risk assessment.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam and Microsoft Office applications.
• Exceptional leadership, analytical, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel up to 35%, depending on project and client requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Data Analytics, or a related field.
• Professional certifications or licenses such as PE, AIA, PMP, CPE, CCP, LEED AP, or ASHE CHC.
• Experience in modular construction, industrialized construction, design-build, or offsite manufacturing environments.
• Background estimating complex healthcare facilities, data centers, commercial buildings, or large-scale construction programs.
• Experience developing enterprise-level cost models, pricing databases, and estimating technology strategies.
• Familiarity with CAD, Revit, SolidWorks, or other model-based design and estimating platforms.
• Experience integrating estimating systems with ERP platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics Business Central or comparable solutions.
• Working knowledge of SQL, Python, or data modeling technologies used in estimating and cost analysis.
• Familiarity with artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and automation applications within construction estimating.
• Experience implementing or championing AI-enabled productivity tools and modern digital workflows.
• Demonstrated involvement in industry organizations, construction benchmarking initiatives, professional publications, or speaking engagements.
• Strong understanding of construction manufacturing processes, productivity modeling, supply chain economics, and advanced project delivery methods.

Ideal Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be a strategic, commercially minded estimating executive who combines deep construction industry expertise

Interested in hearing more? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Quick Apply" button.

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