Director of Preconstruction

Job Summary Discovery Land Company is seeking an elite Director of Preconstruction to own and drive all preconstruction activity across its luxury residential communities. This role commands everything that happens before a shovel hits the ground: strategic planning, budgeting, design coordination, monitoring permitting, procurement, and the preconstruction master scheduling that ensures field execution can launch with precision. The Director of Preconstruction works hand‑in‑glove with the Director of Construction, serving as the engine behind every project before it transitions to the field. This is a role for a builder‑thinker who is as comfortable managing preconstruction tasks. Key Responsibilities Strategic Planning & Preconstruction Leadership Own the full preconstruction lifecycle for all active and pipeline communities – support through issuance of Notice to Proceed. Develop and maintain master project schedules that define every milestone from design kick‑off through construction start, coordinating across design, permitting, and procurement workstreams. Lead preconstruction meetings with interior designers and consultants – driving decisions, resolving conflicts, and keeping all parties aligned. Maintain a forward‑looking pipeline view of all upcoming phases, ensuring the organization is staffed, budgeted, and procured ahead of each project’s construction start. Budgeting, Estimating & Cost Control Lead the development of detailed project budgets from schematic design through construction documents, with rigorous line‑item accuracy. Manage all estimating activity – conceptual, schematic, design development, and GMP/hard bid – ensuring budgets reflect current market conditions and luxury‑quality scopes. Drive value engineering sessions with design teams, identifying cost savings that preserve design intent and quality standards. Establish and maintain budget control tools and reporting cadences that give ownership real‑time visibility into projected cost‑to‑complete. Handoff & Transition to Field Operations Own the formal project handoff process from preconstruction to the Director of Construction – including budget, schedule, contracts, drawings, work authorizations, and open items logs. Maintain involvement through the early construction phase to support RFI and submittal processes, change order validation, and scope clarification. Conduct post‑project retrospectives with the Director of Construction to identify preconstruction learnings that improve future planning. Skills & Qualifications Required 12+ years of progressive construction experience, with at least 5 years in a preconstruction or operations leadership role. Deep expertise in estimating, budgeting, design coordination, and procurement – ideally for luxury residential or high‑end hospitality/resort projects. Demonstrated ability to manage complex multi‑disciplinary design processes and drive decisions across large consultant teams. Exceptional organizational skills – capable of managing multiple projects at various design and permitting stages simultaneously. Strong working knowledge of construction contracts (AIA, CMAA), scope writing, and subcontractor procurement. Proficiency in estimating software, project management platforms (Procore or equivalent), and Microsoft Office Suite. Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering, or a related field. Preferred Experience with private club, resort residential, or ultra‑luxury custom home development. Familiarity with Discovery Land Company communities or comparable private club projects. PMP, CCM, or LEED credential. Experience managing preconstruction in multiple geographic markets, including remote or destination locations. Additional Requirements Positive attitude, professional demeanor, and exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to deliver service to members, guests, and team members. Must be able to work flexible work hours/schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Long hours may be required due to business demands. Ability to show up on time. Ability to work in a team environment. Ability to stay calm and focused during the busiest of times. Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English; additional languages preferred. Ability to meet the physical demands of the position including, but not limited to, working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions, standing, walking, and moving for periods of greater than eight (8) hours, and lifting and carrying items sometimes greater than fifty (50) pounds. Benefits Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits 401k Contribution Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays Employee Meals, Referral Incentives, and Recognition Programs Professional development and upward mobility opportunities Work‑Family Culture #J-18808-Ljbffr