Director of Preconstruction

Spyglass Talent Solutions is a retained recruitment firm based in Raleigh, NC. Our firm has been engaged by Holt Brothers Construction, a commercial general contractor, to conduct a search for a Director of Preconstruction.

Reporting to the Vice President, Business Unit Leader, the Director of Preconstruction will lead all aspects of the company's estimating and preconstruction efforts. This individual will oversee a team of estimators, provide strategic leadership throughout design and budgeting phases, and collaborate closely with clients, architects, engineers, and trade partners to deliver accurate, timely, and cost-effective estimates.

Holt Brothers are seeking an experienced construction professional who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and can balance technical precision with relationship-driven leadership.

Responsibilities include :

Lead and manage the estimating team across all design and preconstruction phases, ensuring high-quality, accurate estimates and timely deliverables.

Mentor, train, and develop estimating staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Provide technical guidance to the team by reviewing complex estimates and ensuring best practices are followed across all projects.

Drive business development efforts by cultivating and maintaining relationships with clients, architects, engineers, and trade partners; identify new opportunities and contribute to proposal development and presentations.

Responsible for overseeing the preconstruction department budget and cost.

Develop and maintain a robust cost database to ensure estimates reflect current market conditions.

Oversee the preparation and submission of bids, proposals, and budgets, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and competitiveness.

Collaborate with clients, design teams, and subcontractors to identify cost-saving opportunities, resolve constructability issues, and align scope with budget goals.

Coordinate with operations teams to review design documents for constructability and general requirements prior to project handoff.

Create and manage project preconstruction schedules and ensure key milestones are met.

Oversee the subcontractor prequalification process and manage bid lists to ensure the engagement of qualified trade partners.

Review design documents and specifications for clarity and completeness; guide the team in developing bid packages and quantity take-offs.

Analyze subcontractor bids for accuracy, scope coverage, and compliance with project requirements.

Facilitate value engineering exercises and prepare lifecycle cost analyses in collaboration with clients and project teams.

Present and explain budgets to clients, internal stakeholders, and executive leadership.

Manage project buy-out processes and ensure seamless transition from preconstruction to operations.

Ensure effective use of estimating and project management systems and that the team is proficient in their use.

Qualifications :

Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or related field preferred.

10+ years of progressive estimating and preconstruction experience, including leadership of teams and large-scale projects.

Strong technical knowledge of building systems, materials, and MEP components.

Proficiency in estimating and project management software (e.g., On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, Procore, or equivalent).

Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Strong client-facing presence and ability to lead collaborative design and cost review meetings.