Director of Preconstruction at CLEAR CONSTRUCTION INC

Santa Barbara, California, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

16 Jul, 26

Salary

180000.0

Posted On

17 Apr, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Preconstruction strategy, Estimating, Cost modeling, Scope development, Bid management, Project management, Construction management, Budgeting, Risk assessment, Architectural drawing interpretation, Systems thinking, Team leadership, Communication, Design-build, Residential construction, Contract negotiation

Industry

Construction

Description

ABOUT US Clear Construction’s mission is to simplify the complexity of construction through thoughtful, personalized collaboration. Our vertically integrated approach values attention to detail and sophistication unmatched by competitors. We are a team of hardworking and communicative professionals who take pride in understanding our clients’ desires and making them a reality—trust is just one of the things we build well. Role Summary The Director of Preconstruction is responsible for owning the full preconstruction lifecycle from initial concept estimating through delivery of a fully validated, constructable, and price-certain project to the production team. This role serves as the bridge between Business Development, Architecture, and Construction, and is ultimately accountable for delivering a complete and reliable Control Estimate and Scope of Work that defines the project. This role exists to eliminate the disconnect between sales, design, and construction by ensuring that every project is: * Properly scoped * Financially validated * Aligned with client expectations * Ready for execution before entering production Location: This is an in-office position in our Santa Barbara, CA, office Core Responsibilities * Preconstruction Strategy and Leadership * Own and continuously improve the company’s preconstruction process from lead qualification through project handoff * Establish standards for scope development, estimating accuracy, and bid quality * Act as the primary interface between Sales, Architecture, and Construction during preconstruction * Identify risks early and proactively guide teams toward viable solutions * Concept Estimating Oversight * Oversee preparation of initial concept estimates generated by the estimating team * Ensure all concept estimates include clear, defensible assumptions and preliminary scope narratives * Validate that early pricing aligns with realistic construction means, methods, and market conditions * Provide guidance on fee structures, allowances, and contingencies * Design Phase Cost Validation * Lead cost validation efforts during: * Schematic Design (SD) * Design Development (DD) * Construction Documents (CD) * Translate evolving design into defined scope assumptions and pricing frameworks * Identify scope gaps, inconsistencies, or design decisions that impact cost * Ensure the design remains aligned with the approved project budget at all stages * Provide real-time feedback to the Architecture team on constructability and cost implications * Scope Development and Management * Develop and maintain high-quality scope of work standards across all trades * Author or oversee the creation of detailed scope documents for each project * Delegate scope writing to Project Managers where appropriate and validate for completeness and accuracy * Ensure alignment between: * Drawings * Specifications * Scope narratives * Estimate assumptions * Estimating Team Management * Directly manage the estimating function * Ensure estimators are working from complete, coordinated, and validated scope packages * Improve estimating workflows, tools, and output quality * Establish accountability for accuracy, completeness, and turnaround time * Subcontractor Bid Management * Oversee the bid process to ensure all subcontractors are bidding on consistent, clearly defined scope * Validate bid leveling and ensure “apples-to-apples” comparisons * Identify gaps, overlaps, and inconsistencies in subcontractor proposals * Drive competitive and reliable pricing outcomes * Control Estimate Development * Lead the creation of: * Preliminary Control Estimates * Control Estimates * Ensure estimates are comprehensive, accurate, fully scoped, and supported by real market data * Align final pricing with the client-approved budget and project expectations * Project Handoff to Production * Deliver a complete preconstruction package including: * Control Estimate * Trade-specific scope of work * Bid coverage and analysis * Assumptions and clarifications * Ensure the production team has everything required to execute without ambiguity * Participate in handoff meetings and remain involved through project startup Key Outcomes * Projects enter production with clear scope, aligned expectations, and minimal unknowns * Design phases consistently stay within validated budget ranges * Subcontractor bids are complete, comparable, and reliable * Reduced change orders driven by scope gaps or estimating errors * Faster project startup and improved cash flow timing * Increased confidence from clients in pricing accuracy and process transparency Key Competencies * Deep understanding of residential construction means, methods, and sequencing * Strong ability to interpret architectural drawings and translate into scope * Advanced estimating and cost modeling expertise * Exceptional attention to detail and systems thinking * Ability to identify risk, gaps, and inconsistencies early * Strong leadership and team management capabilities * Clear, direct communicator across technical and non-technical terms Qualification and Requirements * 10+ years in construction, estimating, and/or preconstruction roles * Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Business, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred. * Experience in high-end residential or design-build environments strongly preferred * Proven experience managing estimating teams and complex projects * Demonstrated ability to bridge design intent with construction reality Personal Attributes * High ownership mentality – Takes full responsibility for outcomes, not just deliverables. Does not pass problems downstream to production. * Detail-obsessed, systems-oriented thinker – Naturally identifies gaps, inconsistencies, and missing scope. Thinks in systems, not one-off fixes. * Technically grounded builder – Deep respect for how things are actually built. Can challenge design decisions with real-world construction logic. * Comfortable operating in ambiguity – Able to make informed assumptions early in design and refine them over time without freezing progress. * Direct, clear communicator – Communicates issues early and without sugarcoating. Aligns teams around reality, not optimism. * Financially minded – Understands that scope decisions equal costs equal margin. Thinks in terms of risk, exposure, and profitability. * Low ego, high standards – Willing to collaborate and delegate, but holds a high bar for quality and completeness. * Proactive problem solver – Doesn’t wait for gaps to show up. Actively hunts for them before they become expensive problems. * Strong cross-functional leadership – Can push back on Architecture, guide Estimating, and align with Construction without creating friction that slows progress. Core Values Must be able to exhibit and continuously demonstrate our Company's core values in any situation. Passion - Care for our clients, our work, and our company. Brilliance - Be bright, be positive, be exceptional. Precision - Absolutely no detail is too small or unimportant. Persistence - The greater the pressure, the brighter the diamond. Benefits * Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life) * 401(k) with employer match * Paid time off and sick pay * Mileage, tool, cell phone reimbursement * Referral program * Competitive pay with yearly reviews * Opportunity for Growth * Tuition Reimbursement Travel Time Required 10-25% (this is an estimated amount) Physical Job Description This position requires a combination of office-based and field-based activity. The role requires the ability to: * Walk active construction sites regularly. * Navigate uneven terrain, stairs, and ladders as needed. * Stand for extended periods during site visits and inspections. * Lift and carry light materials or documents (up to approximately 25 pounds). * Operate standard office equipment including computer, telephone, and mobile devices. Must be physically capable of safely accessing and evaluating active construction environments while complying with all safety protocols. Typical Working Conditions * Combination of office environment and active construction job sites. * Exposure to outdoor weather conditions during site visits. * Exposure to construction noise, dust, and other typical jobsite conditions. * Occasional early morning or extended hours depending on project demands. * Travel between multiple project locations within the operating region. Equipment * Computer and standard office equipment. * Mobile phone and tablet devices. * Company vehicle or personal vehicle for site travel. * Personal protective equipment (PPE) including hard hat, safety glasses, high-visibility vest, gloves, and work boots when on job sites. Statement of Employer's Rights This job description does not list all of the duties of this position. You may be asked by management to perform other duties. You will be evaluated in part based on your performance of the tasks listed in this job description. Clear Group has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the Company may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.

Responsibilities

The Director of Preconstruction owns the full preconstruction lifecycle, serving as the bridge between sales, architecture, and construction to ensure projects are scoped, financially validated, and ready for execution. They are responsible for managing the estimating team, overseeing bid processes, and ensuring design phases remain aligned with project budgets.