Director of Preconstruction

We are seeking an experienced Director of Preconstruction to lead and grow the preconstruction function for a well-established commercial general contractor in Charlotte. This is a senior leadership position responsible for driving the strategy, quality, and execution of preconstruction services from early project conception through contract award and transition to construction.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical construction knowledge with commercial acumen, client relationship skills, and the ability to lead a high-performing preconstruction team. You will work closely with owners, developers, architects, consultants, trade partners, and internal operations teams to develop accurate, competitive, and constructible project solutions.

This role is particularly suited to a strategic construction professional who enjoys working on complex commercial projects and wants to have a meaningful influence on both project outcomes and the continued growth of the business.

• Lead the company's preconstruction operations across a diverse portfolio of commercial projects.
• Establish and maintain best practices, processes, and standards for estimating, budgeting, scheduling, constructability, and value engineering.
• Oversee projects from initial pursuit and conceptual estimating through final pricing, contract award, and handoff to the project team.
• Ensure preconstruction deliverables are accurate, timely, commercially sound, and aligned with client objectives.
• Develop and continuously improve preconstruction systems, tools, templates, and procedures.
• Establish appropriate staffing, workloads, and priorities across the preconstruction team.
• Provide executive oversight of conceptual, schematic, design-development, and GMP estimates.
• Review estimates, bids, assumptions, exclusions, allowances, contingencies, and subcontractor scopes for accuracy and completeness.
• Lead cost planning and benchmarking activities throughout the design process.
• Identify cost drivers and opportunities for value engineering without compromising project quality or design intent.
• Maintain a strong understanding of current labor, material, subcontractor, and market conditions within the Carolinas and broader Southeast.
• Ensure estimates are competitive while maintaining appropriate risk and margin objectives.

• Partner with business development and executive leadership during project pursuits.
• Participate in interviews, presentations, project strategy meetings, and client negotiations.
• Build trusted relationships with owners, developers, architects, engineers, and key trade partners.
• Serve as a senior technical and commercial representative of the company throughout the pursuit and preconstruction process.
• Help identify market opportunities and provide insight into project feasibility, pricing, delivery methods, and competitive positioning.
• Support the development of repeat business by delivering a high level of service and demonstrating strong understanding of client priorities.

• Lead constructability reviews and collaborate with design teams to identify potential issues before construction.
• Develop project execution strategies in collaboration with operations leadership.
• Evaluate alternative delivery methods, phasing strategies, procurement approaches, and schedule considerations.
• Identify project risks early and develop mitigation strategies.
• Work closely with project executives and operations teams to ensure a seamless transition from preconstruction into construction.
• Maintain accountability for the quality of the preconstruction-to-construction handoff.
• Lead, mentor, and develop estimators, preconstruction managers, and other team members.
• Establish clear expectations, performance objectives, and professional development plans.
• Promote collaboration between preconstruction, estimating, operations, business development, and finance.
• Develop the next generation of preconstruction leaders within the organization.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, continuous improvement, and teamwork.

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in commercial construction, estimating, preconstruction, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience leading preconstruction activities for complex commercial projects.
• Previous leadership or management experience overseeing estimators, preconstruction managers, or similar teams.
• Strong understanding of commercial construction means and methods, cost management, scheduling, procurement, and subcontractor markets.
• Experience with negotiated, design-build, CM-at-Risk, and/or other collaborative project delivery methods.
• Strong knowledge of construction documents, specifications, contracts, and design development.
• Excellent understanding of the Charlotte and/or broader Southeast commercial construction market.
• Strong financial and…