Director of Preconstruction and Estimating

Reports to: COO
Company: A $250+ million commercial general contracting firm doing business throughout Florida and occasionally the SE

High-performing commercial general contractor with a strong reputation for delivering large-scale, premium projects in Florida / Southeast. Our work centers on cutting‑edge construction, ground‑up structures, GMP, high client expectations, and a culture of collaboration, integrity and operational excellence. We’re at an exciting growth stage and seeking a strategic hands‑on leader to elevate our preconstruction and estimating capability across the entire lifecycle of work.

We are seeking a seasoned Director of Preconstruction & Estimating who will lead, develop and own the full preconstruction and estimating function for the firm while actively involved in details and utilizing a competent team. This role will drive strategic direction, refine process and systems, mentor a high‑performing team, partner closely with business development and operations, and ensure the company consistently wins and delivers high‑quality, profitable projects.

You will be the bridge between the front‑end vision and the execution reality.

• Lead and manage the preconstruction and estimating department, including estimating managers, senior estimators, junior estimators, take‑off staff, and preconstruction team members.
• Develop, implement and maintain standardized estimating and preconstruction processes, systems, tools and metrics for large commercial projects ($20M+ to $100M+).
• Collaborate with business development / sales to evaluate opportunities, assess risk, perform cost modelling and recommend bid / pursue decisions.
• Oversee conceptual, schematic, design‑development and construction document stage estimating; ensure accurate, timely budgets, quantity surveys, cost plans and value engineering.
• Lead subcontractor solicitation strategy, bid day strategy, bid analysis, scope reviews, cost breakdowns, and ensure that bids align with company strategy, risk posture and market conditions.
• Partner with operations leadership (project directors, superintendents, field teams) to ensure estimating inputs align with constructability, staffing, scheduling and risk mitigation.
• Mentor and develop the estimating/preconstruction staff; establish clear career pathways, performance metrics and encourage professional growth.
• Monitor and report key departmental metrics: win rate, margin performance, estimating accuracy, estimating cycle times, subcontractor/vendor coverage, cost database updates, lessons learned.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating and preconstruction practices: benchmarking, implementing best practices, leveraging technology (take‑off software, BIM, data analytics), standardizing templates and databases.
• Participate in departmental and senior leadership team meetings; contribute to strategic planning, budgeting and resource allocation for the preconstruction function.
• Serve as a culture‑champion: reinforce company values, promote safety, quality, diversity and team collaboration.

• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive experience in estimating and preconstruction for large commercial general contracting firms (ideally $250M+ company or with comparable project size).
• Proven track record of managing estimating and preconstruction teams, leading winning bids and delivering profitable projects.
• Strong technical understanding of commercial construction means and methods (especially concrete shell, cost‑plus model, self‑performed work, trade subcontracting).
• Deep proficiency in quantity take‑offs, cost modelling, budget development, value engineering, subcontractor strategies and risk assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with business development, design teams, operations and senior leadership.
• Exceptional communication, presentation and negotiation skills — able to engage clients, A/E partners, subcontractors and internal stakeholders.
• Financial acumen: understand project economics, margin drivers, indirect, general conditions, cost escalation, pricing strategies.
• Proficient in estimating software and tools…