Director of Preconstruction

CK Construction Group • Westerville, OH

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for the company’s preconstruction department to ensure successful project planning, estimating, scheduling, procurement strategy, constructability review, and client engagement from pursuit through turnover to operations. This role serves as both a strategic leader and hands-on preconstruction professional, responsible for mentoring and developing team members, establishing procedures and quality standards, leading major pursuits and projects, and supporting business development and operational objectives.

Requirements

• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team development skills.
• Extensive knowledge of conceptual estimating, budgeting, scheduling, constructability review, procurement planning, and preconstruction processes.
• Strong understanding of multiple delivery methods, including CMAR, Design-Build, GMP, negotiated work, and hard bid projects.
• Ability to lead major pursuits and strategic preconstruction efforts in collaboration with operations and business development teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical writing and presentation development.
• Strong organizational, analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to interface effectively with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and internal teams.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, sequencing, logistics, and scheduling.
• Proficiency with estimating, scheduling, and preconstruction technology platforms.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered
• Minimum 15 years of construction, estimating, or preconstruction experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams, developing procedures, managing major pursuits, and overseeing complex preconstruction programs.
• Proven leadership experience in client-facing roles and strategic project pursuits.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record required.

Nice To Haves

• OSHA 30-Hour Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, develop, and train a growing preconstruction team, including Preconstruction Managers and Preconstruction Engineers, as well as providing support to Estimators.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of the preconstruction process across all assigned pursuits and projects.
• Lead the team in preparation of RFQ and RFP submissions, including project strategy, staffing plans, business deals, logistics planning, preliminary scheduling, technical narratives, and owner-focused deliverables.
• Guide estimators and preconstruction staff through the full preconstruction lifecycle, including scope development, procurement strategy, constructability review, logistics planning, scheduling, budgeting, and turnover to operations.
• Assist in the development of project pursuit strategies and interview preparation, while frequently participating in owner interviews and presentations as the preconstruction leader.
• Build confidence and trust with owners, design partners, and internal teams through clear communication, thoughtful planning, and accurate financial and technical guidance.
• Lead conceptual estimating efforts throughout all phases of design, including budgeting, cost modeling, quantity analysis, and value management.
• Develop and present Target Value Design (TVD) and Value Engineering (VE) solutions that align project scope, budget, schedule, and owner expectations.
• Lead the team in preparing GMP documents, clarifications, assumptions, alternates, and supporting exhibits for owner presentations and contract execution.
• Lead the preconstruction effort on large, complex, or strategic projects while providing oversight and support to team members on other projects.
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Estimating, Business Development, and Executive Leadership to ensure alignment between project pursuit strategy and project execution.
• Establish and maintain departmental procedures, QA/QC standards, and best practices to improve consistency, efficiency, and quality of work products.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, collaboration, continuous improvement, and owner-focused service within the preconstruction team.
• Manage and administer departmental operations, including staffing assignments, workload planning, performance evaluations, professional development, and hiring recommendations.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve departmental procedures, standards, templates, and QA/QC processes.
• Review departmental work products and deliverables to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency, and professionalism prior to formal submission or presentation.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Estimating, Operations, Business Development, Marketing, and Executive Leadership teams to support company objectives and project success.
• Monitor departmental performance metrics and support continuous improvement initiatives related to quality, efficiency, responsiveness, and client service.
• Assist in implementation and evaluation of technologies, software platforms, and tools that improve preconstruction capabilities and workflows.
• Support transition of projects from preconstruction to operations to ensure continuity of project understanding, scope alignment, and client expectations.
• Participate in client meetings, industry events, project walkthroughs, interviews, and internal planning sessions as required.
• Maintain awareness of market conditions, subcontractor trends, procurement risks, and industry best practices that may impact project planning and pricing.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

Benefits

• Comprehensive design phase and construction phase services under all delivery and contractual methods, including construction management, general contracting, design-build, and design-assist.
• Self-perform construction services including concrete, steel erection, carpentry, drywall and acoustical ceilings and an in-house AWI Certified mill shop.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director