Director of Preconstruction

Job Details: Job Location: 940 KINGSLAND DRIVE - BATAVIA, IL, Salary Range: $110000.00 - $150000.00Salary/year, Job Title: Director of Preconstruction Department: Preconstruction/ Sales Reports To: Chief Sales Officer (CSO) Location: Batavia, IL (with flexible remote work) Pay Grade / Range: $120,000 – 150,000 annually DOE Benefits: Health and Life Insurance, Vision, Dental, PTO, 401(k) Summary   The Director of Preconstruction is responsible for leading and developing the company’s preconstruction function while ensuring projects are positioned for successful execution before transitioning to Operations. This role oversees the daily management, workflow, and performance of a growing remote team consisting of estimators, drafters, and preconstruction coordinators. This position is heavily focused on operational leadership, accountability, organization, and execution in the near term, while evolving into a more strategic leadership role as the company continues to scale nationally. The ideal candidate is highly organized, experienced in construction estimating, and driven to help teams succeed and grow together within a remote environment.     Core Accountabilities  Team Leadership & Management Lead, coach, and develop a remote team of estimators, drafters, and preconstruction coordinators  Drive accountability, communication, and workflow management across distributed teams  Conduct regular team meetings, 1:1s, and performance check-ins  Foster a collaborative and growth-oriented team culture focused on continuous improvement  Assist with hiring, onboarding, training, and development of preconstruction personnel  Maintain a highly engaged management presence throughout the workweek within a remote environment   Preconstruction & Estimating Operations Oversee day-to-day estimating and preconstruction activities across multiple projects and markets  Ensure accurate, timely, and organized bid preparation and project handoffs  Support workload balancing, prioritization, and resource planning within the department  Partner with Sales and Operations leadership to align estimating, customer experience, and operational execution  Help bridge communication and execution between Sales and Operations teams Review project estimates for accuracy, completeness, and profitability   Systems, Processes & Organization Develop and maintain estimating standards, pricing structures, and workflow best practices  Identify opportunities to improve estimating efficiency through systems, tools, and technology  Lead and support the implementation and optimization of estimating software and related workflows  Maintain organized bid tracking, documentation, and reporting systems  Improve documentation standards, communication processes, and operational consistency across the department Project Coordination & Support Assist with preconstruction meetings, project reviews, and customer coordination as needed  Ensure project documentation, submittals, and handoff materials are complete and organized Support change order review and pricing coordination when required  Collaborate with field and operations teams to help ensure projects are buildable, profitable, and properly planned  Administrative Duties Maintain accurate reporting, departmental metrics, and workflow tracking  Utilize company software and project management systems consistently Support departmental planning, forecasting, and process improvement initiatives  Participate in leadership meetings, strategic planning discussions, and continuous improvement efforts Qualifications: Minimum Required Qualifications Five years of experience in construction estimating, preconstruction, or related leadership role Previous experience managing teams within a remote or distributed work environment Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills Experience overseeing multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously Proficiency with Microsoft Office and digital collaboration/project management tools Ability to actively manage workflows and team accountability throughout the work week Preferred Experience within fencing, specialty trades, or commercial construction industries Prior experience implementing or optimizing estimating software and systems Experience leading or scaling a growing preconstruction department Familiarity with construction drawings, procurement processes, and project coordination workflows Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Strong understanding of construction estimating and preconstruction processes Excellent organizational and project management abilities Ability to lead, motivate, and develop remote teams effectively Strong communication and interpersonal skills with both internal teams and external partners Ability to balance operational execution with long-term process improvement Self-driven, adaptable, and solutions-oriented mindset Technically proficient with estimating platforms, spreadsheets, and digital workflow systems Strong attention to detail and follow-through