Director of Preconstruction

We are seeking an experienced Preconstruction & Estimating Director to lead and develop our Central Florida preconstruction team within a growing mechanical and specialty contracting organization.

This leadership role oversees estimating operations, departmental strategy, team development, and preconstruction activities across a diverse portfolio of projects. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in mechanical construction estimating, strong commercial judgment, and a proven ability to lead estimating teams while delivering accurate, competitive, and profitable project proposals.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Department Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 5+ estimators, overseeing workload distribution, performance management, training, and succession planning.
• Establish consistent estimating standards, processes, procedures, quality controls, and approval workflows across branches and project types.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Develop departmental goals, KPIs, and reporting to track bid performance, estimate accuracy, productivity, risk, backlog quality, and profitability.
• Direct all phases of estimating and preconstruction for conceptual, schematic, design development, negotiated, design-build, and plan-and-spec projects.
• Oversee quantity takeoffs, labor estimates, equipment and material pricing, subcontractor coverage, general conditions, escalation, contingencies, and final estimate reviews.
• Lead bid strategy meetings, risk assessments, go/no-go decisions, and executive presentations for major project pursuits.
• Ensure estimates are accurate, competitive, well-documented, and aligned with project scope, schedules, contract requirements, and margin objectives.
• Validate estimating assumptions and exclusions and ensure effective project handoffs to operations following contract award.
• Establish change-order pricing standards and support operational teams on significant scope, schedule, and commercial matters.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in construction estimating and preconstruction.
• Demonstrated success managing an estimating department or team of 5+ estimators.
• Extensive experience with complex mechanical and specialty contracting estimates and large-scale project pursuits.
• In-depth knowledge of HVAC&R systems and associated utilities.
• Expert understanding of construction estimating, labor productivity, procurement, scheduling, constructability, and preconstruction best practices.
• Experience with Trimble MEP estimating software.
• Advanced ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, contracts, addenda, schedules, and technical documentation.
• Strong commercial acumen, including risk assessment, margin analysis, escalation, contingencies, and competitive bid strategy.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, negotiation, analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with executives, clients, and operational teams.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with estimating, takeoff, CRM, ERP, scheduling, and document-management platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority pursuits, deadlines, and stakeholders without compromising quality or accuracy.
• Working knowledge of applicable building codes, safety requirements, industry standards, and market practices.