Director of Preconstruction

Director of Preconstruction

About the Opportunity

Our client is a well-established commercial real estate owner, developer, and general contractor with a long-standing reputation for developing and managing high-quality retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use properties throughout the United States. This is a unique opportunity to join a financially stable organization with an active development pipeline, an integrated construction platform, and a collaborative, long-tenured leadership team.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Construction, the Director of Preconstruction will lead the organization's preconstruction and estimating efforts for projects located primarily throughout Florida and the Southeast. This individual will oversee a team of civil and vertical estimators while partnering closely with the Executive Director to support strategic initiatives, departmental priorities, and the successful planning of new development, redevelopment, tenant improvement, and capital projects.

Working in an integrated owner/developer/general contractor environment, this role serves as a trusted resource for construction budgeting, conceptual pricing, feasibility analysis, and preconstruction planning. The Director of Preconstruction will collaborate closely with Leasing, Development, Design, Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Project Management teams to provide timely, accurate cost guidance that supports informed business decisions from project inception through construction.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead all preconstruction and estimating activities for projects throughout Florida and the Southeastern United States.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and oversight to a team of civil and vertical construction estimators while promoting consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with the Executive Director of Construction to support departmental initiatives, operational priorities, strategic planning, and process improvements.
• Serve as the department's lead resource for conceptual budgeting, construction pricing, feasibility analysis, and preconstruction planning.
• Collaborate with Leasing to develop conceptual construction budgets that support lease negotiations, tenant planning, and deal evaluation.
• Partner with Development, Design, Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Project Management teams to establish and refine project budgets throughout the development process.
• Develop and review conceptual, schematic, and detailed estimates for ground-up developments, redevelopments, tenant improvements, and capital projects.
• Review plans and specifications to identify cost drivers, constructability considerations, project risks, and value engineering opportunities.
• Maintain estimating standards, budgeting methodologies, and the integrity of the company's historical cost database.
• Monitor labor markets, material pricing, subcontractor costs, and market trends to ensure estimates remain current and competitive.
• Cultivate strong relationships with subcontractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders to support efficient project planning and informed decision-making.
• Represent the preconstruction team during project planning meetings and provide strategic recommendations regarding project feasibility, budgeting, and construction costs.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in commercial construction, preconstruction, and estimating.
• Significant experience with a commercial real estate owner/developer, preferably within an integrated owner/developer/general contractor environment.
• Extensive retail development experience required, with additional experience across office, industrial, and mixed-use projects strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading preconstruction or estimating teams.
• Strong understanding of both civil/site development and vertical construction estimating.
• Proven ability to develop conceptual budgets and detailed estimates throughout all phases of project development.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance construction, operational, and financial considerations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with estimating software, Microsoft Excel, and construction management technology.

*Relocation Assistance offered to out of area candidates