Director of Preconstruction

Director of Preconstruction $140000 - $160000 per year | St. Louis, MO | On‑Site | Permanent Job Details As Director of Preconstruction, you will help the company achieve its strategic growth goals by providing strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and operational excellence for the preconstruction department. This role ensures the preconstruction team delivers high‑quality services that align with company objectives, client expectations, and long‑term business strategies. The focus is on leadership, departmental strategy, process improvement, and cross‑functional collaboration rather than day‑to‑day estimating or tactical project tasks. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Departmental Administration Provide strategic direction and oversight for all preconstruction activities. Develop and implement departmental goals, key performance metrics, and operational strategies aligned with corporate objectives. Lead, mentor, and develop Preconstruction Executives, Managers, and Engineers to build a high‑performing, collaborative team culture. Oversee departmental staffing, resource allocation, and workload balancing across multiple concurrent pursuits. Establish, refine, and enforce standardized processes, templates, and best practices to ensure consistency and quality across all offices. Report performance metrics, workload trends, and staffing forecasts to the Vice President of Preconstruction and Executive Leadership. Business Development & Client Relations Partner with Business Development and Marketing teams to evaluate and pursue new project opportunities. Participate in high‑level project pursuits, interviews, and presentations, providing strategic insight into project positioning and client expectations. Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers, and trade partners to support business development and future work acquisition. Provide leadership and support to the preconstruction team during project pursuits to ensure proposals and deliverables align with client and company goals. Process, Data and Workflow Improvement Develop and manage departmental systems for cost data collection, tracking, and analysis to improve forecasting and data integrity. Lead initiatives to modernize and streamline preconstruction workflows, leveraging technology and analytics to enhance decision‑making and efficiency. Evaluate and maintain preconstruction tools, databases, and software systems, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and accessibility. Champion process innovation, standardization, and continuous improvement across offices. Team Development & Mentorship Recruit, train, and retain top preconstruction talent; build a culture of growth, accountability, and excellence. Conduct regular performance reviews, establish clear development paths, and implement individualized coaching plans. Organize team meetings, training sessions, and one‑on‑one check‑ins to promote communication and professional development. Recognize and celebrate team and individual achievements to maintain engagement and morale. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Coordinate with Operations, Real Estate Development, Business Development, Marketing, IT, and Executive Leadership to ensure cross‑departmental alignment. Facilitate seamless handoffs between preconstruction and operations to maintain continuity and project success. Coordinate resources and best practices between regional offices to ensure consistent quality and collaboration across the company. Act as a conduit between preconstruction and field operations to align project goals, budgets, and schedules. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field required. 12–15 years of progressive experience in preconstruction, estimating, or related roles, including a minimum of 5 years in leadership. Demonstrated success leading multi‑disciplinary preconstruction teams and managing multiple concurrent pursuits. Strong understanding of preconstruction principles, budgeting, scheduling, and client engagement at a strategic level. Proven ability to lead through influence, motivate diverse teams, and foster collaboration across departments and offices. Advanced communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to interface effectively with clients and executives. Proficiency with preconstruction software, data analytics tools, and workflow management systems preferred. Key Attributes Visionary leader who builds teams and drives organizational growth. Strategic thinker capable of balancing innovation with operational rigor. Skilled communicator and collaborator across all organizational levels. Motivated mentor dedicated to developing talent and advancing careers. High integrity, professionalism, and commitment to company values. Approximately 10% regional and national travel required for client meetings, interoffice coordination and key project pursuits. Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is Jobot’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions. #J-18808-Ljbffr