Vice President of Design and Preconstruction

Vice President of Design and Preconstruction

The Vice President of Design and Preconstruction is a senior executive leader responsible for shaping and overseeing the full lifecycle of project design and preconstruction. This role ensures that design excellence, cost efficiency, constructability, and client objectives are seamlessly aligned from project inception through handoff to operations. Partnering closely with executive leadership, the Vice President will establish a unified vision that integrates architectural innovation, technical rigor, and business performance.

This individual will be a trusted advisor to clients, design partners, and internal teams, driving excellence across design strategy, estimating, scheduling, procurement, and team development.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and implement the company’s integrated design and preconstruction vision, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy, market positioning, and client needs.

• Serve as a key member of the executive team, advising on opportunities and risks related to design, preconstruction, and development trends.

• Develop and implement best practices, processes, and technology platforms to optimize design quality, estimating accuracy, and cross-department collaboration.

• Champion innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement across all phases of design and preconstruction.

Design & Preconstruction Management

• Oversee all design and preconstruction activities from conceptual design through project delivery, ensuring projects meet design intent, budget goals, and schedule commitments.

• Lead the preparation of conceptual estimates, budgets, value engineering studies, and risk analyses to inform early project decisions.

• Direct constructability reviews, early procurement planning, and design coordination to ensure seamless transition to construction.

• Review and approve all design proposals and preconstruction deliverables for consistency with brand standards, community impact, and client expectations.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the senior client‑facing representative during pursuit, negotiation, design, and preconstruction phases.

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with developers, architects, engineers, city agencies, and community stakeholders.

• Provide thought leadership and market insights to position the company as a trusted partner in design‑led development.

• Represent the company at industry events, design charrettes, and public forums to promote brand leadership.

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high‑performing multidisciplinary team, including designers, estimators, and preconstruction professionals.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and professional growth.

• Establish and monitor departmental KPIs to ensure operational excellence and continuous improvement.

• Identify and recruit top‑tier design and preconstruction talent to strengthen organizational capacity.

Financial & Risk Oversight

• Ensure design and preconstruction outputs support accurate, competitive, and profitable project delivery.

• Provide executive oversight for risk identification, mitigation strategies, and contract negotiations.

• Collaborate with finance, operations, and business development to achieve margin, schedule, and quality objectives.

Quality, Sustainability & Compliance

• Ensure all designs meet regulatory codes, safety standards, and sustainability goals, including LEED and energy efficiency initiatives.

• Promote universal design and environmental stewardship, aligning aesthetic vision with responsible development.

• Balance creativity, functionality, and fiscal responsibility to deliver projects that enhance both brand value and community impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).

• 15+ years of progressive experience in design leadership, preconstruction, or integrated project delivery, with at least five years in an executive leadership role.

• Proven success leading large‑scale commercial, industrial, or mixed‑use development projects through design and preconstruction phases.

• Deep…