Director, Preconstruction

About Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates and invests. Suffolk is an end-to-end business that provides value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self-perform construction services, technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies) and innovation research/development.

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $5.0 billion in annual revenue, 2,600 employees, and main offices in Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Suffolk manages some of the most complex, sophisticated projects in the country, serving clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, transportation/aviation, government, mission critical and commercial. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

At Suffolk, we believe that our total rewards program should offer you and your family the support you need when it matters most. That’s why we have created a program that provides employees with access to a wide variety of options that can be personalized to support you and your loved ones physically, emotionally, and financially.

Benefits include, competitive salaries, auto allowances and gas cards for certain roles, access to market leading medical and emotional and mental health benefits, dental, and vision insurance plans, virtual care options for physical therapy and primary care, generous paid time off, 401k plan with employer match and access to expert financial resources, company paid and voluntary life insurance, tax deferred savings accounts, 10 backup daycare days each year, short- and long-term disability, commuter benefits and more.  For more information, click here.

The Role 

Suffolk is seeking people who are bold. Curious. Innovative. Caring. Looking for the career opportunity of a lifetime. We’ll challenge and inspire you to be your very best. We’ll embrace what makes you unique and lift you up as you take chances. Here, you’ll find a place where you can act with purpose and integrity, bringing intelligence and grit to every aspect of your job. Join us for the chance to leverage your inherent curiosity and proven capabilities to catapult you to the next level. 

The Director, Preconstruction is responsible for all aspects of preconstruction services including estimates, systems studies and comparisons, value engineering, subcontractor solicitation, detailed planning, client relations & communication.  The Director, Preconstruction ensures that the preconstruction standard operating procedures of the company are being followed; appropriate resources are being allocated from each department, and responsible to achieve the guided objectives for each project in accordance with company standards. A strong understanding of technical construction and estimating in healthcare and life sciences sectors is preferred. 

• Ensure preconstruction services are being delivered in accordance with the standard operating procedures of the Company 

• Ensure that preconstruction and estimating costs are invoiced and collected 

• Project Acquisition:

• Assist the project team in developing responses to RFP’s which require estimates and preconstruction services proposals 
• Prepare and participate in client interviews and proposal presentations

• Form/maintain relationships with clients, architectural and engineering firms and subcontractors to help acquire new leads   

• Training:

• Participate in the training process as a Subject Matter Expert 

• Mentor and train estimators and operations personnel in the processes of estimating and preconstruction.  

• Preconstruction Services:

• During the preconstruction phase, take responsibility to implement Preconstruction SOPs, (See attached list of SOPs), and general management processes including but not limited to: 

• Develop team approach with Clients (Owner, Architect, Engineers, Consultants, Subcontractors, etc.) 

• Prepare and maintain Project Directory of project stakeholders 

• Define and establish team member responsibilities, communication, and administrative procedures for the team during preconstruction phase 

• Conduct Preconstruction Progress Meetings and prepare and distribute meeting minutes 

• Prepare Preconstruction Status Reports for Owner/Architect  

• Scheduling: 

• Assist General Superintendents and Scheduling Department with preparation of preliminary project schedule 

• Prepare Preconstruction Schedule (design activities, estimate activities, estimate review activities, GMP preparation/review/approval activities, permitting activities, etc.) with assistance from Scheduling Department 

• Prepare preliminary Material Procurement Log (indicating long lead items, shop drawings preparation durations, etc.) indicating early design phase document awards as necessary 

• Establish design deliverable schedule 

• Prepare GMP exhibits relating to scheduling  

• Construction Planning: 

• Assist in the preparation of Logistics/Construction Sequencing Plan with General Superintendent and Project Executive 

• Assist in preparation of Project Specific Safety Pre-Planning with Safety Manager and General Superintendent 

• Assist in preparation of Project Specific Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plan with General Superintendent and Project Executive 

• Assist in preparation of Temporary Waterproofing Plan with General Superintendent 

• Prepare GMP exhibits relating to Construction planning  

• Managing Preconstruction Budget/Costs: 

• Prepare/negotiate preconstruction agreements 

• Prepare preconstruction invoices/billings 

• Prepare/manage/control preconstruction budgets  

• Transition to Construction Team: 

• Organize and lead the transition meeting between the project operations team and the estimating/preconstruction team 

• Hold follow-up meetings with project operations team to gather feedback as to what was done right and what was done wrong during preconstruction (i.e., Estimating/Preconstruction Lessons Learned) 

• Ensure the profitability plan is communicated at the Turnover Meeting.  

• Lessons Learned/Historical Database: 

• Create/maintain database of Lessons Learned during preconstruction of specific projects for use on later projects 

• Assist with the preparation of Budgeted versus Actual Cost Summary for historical record, for each project completed.  Review initial estimate and compare to final number to determine a cost performance ratio. 

• Prepare process by which at the end of a project, the project team provides “Lessons Learned”, Subcontractor Scorecards, and historical cost data (subcontractor/vendor and general conditions) for future use. 

• Review Owner Change Orders of projects for Lessons Learned  

• Estimating:

• Fully responsible for producing all estimates required for project assignments 

• Prepare all General Conditions estimates and staffing schedules 

• Prepare Cost Category matrix and qualification & assumptions 

• Responsible for preparation of GMP proposal document 

• Responsible to implement all Estimating SOPs, (see attached list of SOPs) in the preparation of all estimates  

• Attend department meeting as required and report on assignments 

• Attend training classes as required 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or an applicable discipline with a minimum of 15 years of general contracting preconstruction experience spread between project management and estimating roles or equivalent preconstruction training. 

• Leading preconstruction management role on at least one project over 200,000 sqft or $300M 
• Ability to develop responsible cost models from conceptual designs and articulate to stakeholders

• Understanding of current market pricing in active healthcare and life sciences work sectors 

• Understanding of the major cost influences for different project types and conditions 

• Client presentation and proposal skills 

• Understanding of standard GMP and LS AIA Contracts 

• Candidate must possess Suffolk’s Core Values: Passion, Integrity, Hard Work, Professionalism, and Caring 

Our good faith estimate of the compensation range for this opportunity is a base salary of $200,000 - $300,000 if based in the Los Angeles market. Individual pay decisions will vary based upon the experience and qualifications of the applicant. This range is based upon Los Angeles market rates and determined by considering many factors such as external market salary survey data, internal data for comparable roles, and the operational and budgetary objectives of the company. Suffolk also offers a comprehensive benefits package as part of its overall compensation strategy.

#SUFFOLKHIRING

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stands; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law.  This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.  Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.