Preconstruction Executive (Nashville)

Job Title: Preconstruction Executive

Location: Nashville, TN

Industry: Commercial Construction (General Contracting)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Position Summary:

Our client, a high-growth commercial general contractor, is seeking a senior preconstruction leader who can turn complex opportunities into clear, executable plans while creating an exceptional experience for clients, design partners, trade partners, and project teams.

This leader will provide executive-level strategy and oversight for preconstruction within an assigned sector, guiding work from pursuit strategy through project turnover. The role is accountable for accurate estimating, constructability, scope alignment, risk identification, value creation, and strong operational readiness.

The right candidate will bring deep commercial construction expertise, financial discipline, executive presence, and the ability to lead through influence. Just as important, they will be relatable, grounded, collaborative, and energized by a fast-growing, entrepreneurial culture.

Leadership Mandate:

• Translate sector strategy into disciplined pursuit and preconstruction execution
• Create confidence in cost, scope, schedule, constructability, and risk before field mobilization
• Build strong relationships with clients, design partners, trade partners, and internal teams
• Develop a capable, accountable preconstruction team that performs with consistency and urgency
• Improve systems, technology, and standards while challenging outdated ways of working
• Protect project outcomes by ensuring a complete, transparent handoff from preconstruction to operations

Responsibilities:

Preconstruction Strategy & Sector Leadership

• Lead pursuit, estimating, budgeting, design-phase planning, and turnover strategy for assigned sector opportunities
• Partner with Sector Leaders, Project Executives, Operations, Business Development, and executive leadership to align priorities and resources
• Evaluate project fit, client fit, risk profile, resource needs, and business opportunity; support disciplined go/no-go decisions
• Establish clear goals, KPIs, execution plans, and accountability for preconstruction performance

Estimating, Cost & Value Creation

• Oversee conceptual and detailed estimates, GMPs, cost models, scope clarifications, quantity takeoffs, and risk assessments
• Ensure pricing is accurate, complete, market-informed, constructible, and supported by clear assumptions and documentation
• Challenge scope and design thoughtfully; develop value options that protect intent while improving cost, schedule, or execution
• Monitor escalation, labor availability, procurement constraints, and subcontractor market conditions

Pursuits, Clients & Partner Engagement

• Lead preconstruction strategy for pursuits, proposals, interviews, and early client conversations
• Build trust through preparation, transparency, technical credibility, creative problem solving, and reliable follow-through
• Direct trade partner outreach, bid coverage, leveling, scope review, and procurement recommendations
• Deliver a consistently exceptional client experience in every preconstruction interaction

Constructability, Risk & Operational Readiness

• Lead constructability and risk reviews that surface design gaps, scope conflicts, sequencing issues, logistics constraints, and budget exposure early
• Engage Operations and field leadership in planning for schedule, safety, phasing, procurement, and site execution
• Facilitate thorough turnover that communicates the full project story, including commitments, assumptions, exclusions, risks, and opportunities
• Protect the company from preventable misses and downstream execution challenges

Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Coach and develop preconstruction talent through clear expectations, feedback, role clarity, and meaningful accountability
• Balance multiple pursuits and deadlines while deploying team resources intentionally
• Standardize scalable workflows, templates, reporting, and best practices without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
• Use technology, data, and lessons learned to improve accuracy, speed, collaboration, and visibility

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive commercial construction experience with substantial responsibility in preconstruction, estimating, project planning, or related functions
• Demonstrated success leading preconstruction for complex projects and multiple simultaneous pursuits
• Advanced knowledge of estimating, budgeting, cost modeling, scheduling, constructability, procurement, delivery methods, and market conditions
• Experience leading teams, developing talent, and influencing across Operations, Business Development, design teams, clients, and executive leadership
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or a related field preferred
• Strong command of estimating platforms, Microsoft Office, project management tools, and relevant construction technology

Leadership Characteristics:

• Strategic and commercially minded: Connects pursuit decisions to profitability, capacity, client value, and sector growth
• Technically credible: Can challenge assumptions, explain cost and risk, and earn confidence from experts
• Relationship driven: Builds durable trust without relying on title or authority
• Grounded and hands-on: Willing to dig into details, support the team, and do what the moment requires
• Clear and decisive: Turns complexity into recommendations, ownership, and timely action
• Curious and innovative: Questions the old way and adopts better tools, methods, and ideas
• Accountable and dependable: Honors commitments and maintains follow-through from pursuit through turnover
• Calm under pressure: Manages competing demands with composure, organization, and urgency

Culture Fit:

Technical capability is required, but cultural alignment will determine long-term success. The strongest candidate will see this as a place to build, contribute, and challenge convention, not simply hold an executive title.

• Challenges convention: Thinks creatively and finds a better path without losing discipline
• Leads with humility: Stays close to the work and steps in wherever the team needs support
• Builds alignment: Connects clients, design, preconstruction, operations, and trade partners
• Keeps commitments: Communicates transparently, owns outcomes, and follows through
• Speaks plainly and brings clarity without unnecessary complexity or ego
• Moves comfortably between a client meeting, an estimating review, and a field conversation
• Cares about how the team wins, not just whether their individual estimate was right
• Understands speed, but does not trade away accuracy, transparency, or sound judgment
• Is energized by growth, ambiguity, and the opportunity to build systems that can scale
• Respects proven construction fundamentals while remaining open to technology and new approaches
• Creates confidence because recommendations are prepared, practical, and backed by follow-through

Potential Misalignment Indicators:

• Operates as a purely technical estimator and avoids client-facing or cross-functional leadership
• Relies on hierarchy rather than relationships and influence
• Prefers rigid processes over adapting to project, client, and market realities
• Keeps information within preconstruction instead of creating a strong operational handoff
• Is uncomfortable with accountability, rapid growth, competing priorities, or evolving systems
• Presents as polished but lacks depth in estimate validation, constructability, scope, and risk

Compensation:

Competitive base salary plus performance incentive and a comprehensive benefits package. Details will be shared with qualified candidates.

How to Apply:

This is a confidential search managed by Stoneway Talent Solutions. Qualified candidates should send a current resume to Thomas Lemberg at View email address on apply.placed-app.com. All inquiries are handled with complete discretion.