Global Preconstruction Dir

Overview

Gilbane is looking for a Director of Preconstruction to provide company-wide leadership for preconstruction across the organization, establishing standards, building capability, and supporting the successful pursuit, planning, and startup of complex and high-impact projects. This role partners with operations, estimating, purchasing, virtual design in construction (VDC), safety, quality, scheduling, and executive leadership to improve front-end planning, strengthen risk identification, and drive consistency in how projects are positioned for successful execution. The job could be located anywhere there is a major Gilbane Building Company office in the continental United States. 

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Strategy
  • Provide company-wide leadership for the preconstruction function in close collaboration with operations and other departments
  • Establish enterprise preconstruction standards, tools, and governance that integrate safety and quality into all preconstruction processes
  • Partner with operations, estimating, purchasing, virtual design in construction (VDC), safety, quality, scheduling, business development, and executive leadership to align priorities, improve consistency, and support business objectives
  • Monitor adoption of preconstruction standards across business units and identify systemic gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities
• Critical Project Support
  • Directly support high-priority and complex pursuits and projects by performing hands-on preconstruction activities, including estimating, planning, risk analysis, phasing, logistics, and strategy development
  • Provide executive-level oversight and guidance on pursuits and projects with significant risk, visibility, complexity, or strategic importance
  • Ensure critical projects are set up for success through robust planning, early risk identification, clear handoff expectations, and alignment across teams
  • Step in to stabilize, redirect, or escalate projects when preconstruction challenges arise
• Training & Capability Development
  • Develop and implement enterprise preconstruction training programs covering estimating, planning, risk management, safety, and quality integration
  • Facilitate training sessions, workshops, and onboarding programs for preconstruction staff and operational leaders
  • Standardize best practices, mentor team members, and help build bench strength and succession within the function
• Safety by Design (Front-End Safety Integration)
  • Champion “Safety by Design” principles during planning and design phases
  • Identify high-risk scopes and embed mitigation strategies into plans
• Quality Planning & Assurance
  • Embed quality standards and inspection requirements into scopes and plans
  • Ensure constructability reviews address quality risks and rework prevention
• Estimating & Risk-Based Budgeting
  •  Oversee estimates with risk, safety, quality, procurement, and execution considerations incorporated
  • Ensure appropriate contingencies for safety controls and quality assurance
• Project Planning & Coordination
  • Collaborate with operations and scheduling to develop execution plans that prioritize safe sequencing, quality outcomes, and reliable project startup
  • Reinforce planning and handoff standards through coaching, direct involvement, and executive review of major pursuits and projects
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Lead discussions on safety, quality, and risk management strategies
  • Drive value-based solutions that improve safety, quality, constructability, and overall project outcomes
• Procurement & Trade Partner Strategy
  •  Support trade partner and procurement strategies, including evaluation of subcontractors based on safety, quality, capability, and project fit
  • Ensure scopes clearly define expectations, commercial assumptions, and risk ownership
• Risk Management & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead early identification of safety hazards and quality risks
  •  Track KPIs such as estimate accuracy, quality of handoff, training effectiveness, risk reduction, and other indicators of preconstruction performance
  • Capture lessons learned and integrate into future training and standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field
• 15+ years of construction experience with significant preconstruction leadership responsibility
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