Job Information
Knutson Construction Corporate Director of Preconstruction in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Celebrated as one of Minnesota's Top Workplaces! Knutson Construction is accepting applications for a Corporate Director of Preconstruction to join our team.
“Together We Make Dreams Real” – that is our purpose as a company and we exist to work in concert with each other, owners, design professionals and trade partners to make the journey as stress-free as possible. Together, we've created a dynamic, fun, inspiring environment where we can be ourselves and grow each day. Knutson is deeply committed to cultivating and upholding diversity throughout our workforce, relationships, and communities. We recognize the utmost importance of continually advancing our comprehension of diversity, equity, and inclusion as transformative forces within our work, industry, and company values.
At Knutson, opportunities to shine happen daily. We value what makes you different and empower you to act on your ideas.
This position is responsible for leading preconstruction services for the enterprise, to maximize Knutson Construction's ability to build key client relationships, secure profitable work, and successfully deliver The Knutson Experience to clients, design partners, trade partners, and fellow Knutson employees.
The key job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Proactively delivers The Knutson Experience to all Knutson clients, design partners, trade partners, and fellow employees.
Brings thought leadership and sets a strategic vision to develop best-in-class preconstruction services and collaborative delivery methods in alignment with Knutson's overall strategic plan.
Collaborates with the Knutson Leadership Team to develop our future preconstruction vision and incorporates supporting strategic preconstruction initiatives into the strategic plan.
Leads enterprise-level preconstruction services in a manner that allows Knutson to differentiate, diversify, and successfully expand into new market sectors by leveraging an industry-leading preconstruction and proactive planning approach. Including, but not limited to:
Collaborating with the Safety department to plan projects to support Knutson's Zero Incident Safety Culture and prioritize safety from project inception.
Standardizing best-in-class preconstruction services to be repeatable, trainable, and scalable across the company.
Championing sustainability initiatives throughout the preconstruction phase, ensuring projects are in alignment with industry best practices.
Driving process improvements and efficiencies within the preconstruction phase, leveraging industry best practices and emerging technologies to advance the construction phase to utilize lean practices.
Oversees and leads collaboration of the preconstruction department with Operations and Business Development (BD) to successfully pursue and secure profitable work for Knutson.
Collaborates with accounting and General Managers to maintain future revenue/WIP projections for quarterly financial forecasts.
Oversees, strategizes, and approves General Conditions and Fee (GC & Fee) Calculator on all projects.
Manages the preconstruction and estimating teams across the enterprise to prioritize resources and respond to preconstruction demands.
Leads and/or completes Conceptual/Program estimates for RFP responses for key and/or transformational projects and clients.
Represents (or appropriately delegates) preconstruction in the sales process through project interviews, client interactions, and other industry networking.
Works collaboratively with Operations to develop risk logs and mitigation plans, including ensuring risk mitigation elements are included in estimates.
Actively advocates for and sells Knutson Trade Services (self-perform) work to customers and industry partners as necessary to strategically maximize Knutson Trade Service work.
Collaborates with Trade Services by providing resources for pricing self-perform labor.
Promotes Knutson through support of BD activities and personal involvement in the community.
Provides client management and preconstruction services delivery support to other preconstruction leaders as needed.
Prepares and leads development of preconstruction documentation for sales presentations.
Creates and evolves standardized tools and business process for proposal manuals, scopes of work, front-end specifications, and general conditions details.
Develops and maintains Knutson's subcontractor and supplier database, ensuring Knutson has relationships with and is in good standing with top tier trade contractors.
Develops and maintains historical cost database for subcontracted work, labor, material, and equipment.
Develops, maintains, and delegates MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing) planning workflows.
Coaches, mentors, and develops other Knutson employees in alignment with company leadership development expectations.
Responsible for the selection, training, coaching and performance of all Knutson preconstruction staff to attract and retain a high-performing professional workforce.
Identifies training and development opportunities for preconstruction department employees to ensure ongoing career development.
Collaboratively promotes and leverages the use of innovation & technology throughout the preconstruction process.
Works with Operations to conduct reviews on projects to determine reasons for profitability enhancements or margin erosion; incorporates lessons learned and monitors owner/architect relationships throughout projects.
Develops and grows relationships with clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors.
Collaborates with the Operations team to ensure a smooth transition from preconstruction to construction phase.
Implements and monitors quality control processes to ensure that all preconstruction deliverables meet the highest standards. Conduct regular reviews and audits to maintain quality.
Prepares and presents regular reports to senior management on the status of preconstruction activities, project forecasts, and key performance indicators. Ensure effective communication across all regions and departments.
Continuously improves the preconstruction process to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
All other duties, tasks and/or projects as assigned.
Required Skills and Abilities:
Strategic mindset to incorporate best practices for proper project planning across the organization.
Knowledge of and skill in recommending software technology needed to leverage business operations.
Skill in developing and maintaining positive working relationships with clients.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration and stakeholder management.
Strong leadership abilities and the capacity to mentor, motivate, and develop a team.
Skill in developing accurate estimates.
Skill in organizing, interpreting, and reporting numerical data to support project estimates and recommendations.
Skill of conducting cost/benefit analyses including identifying variables and translating them into financial data to assess alternative actions.
Demonstrated ability to identify issues that can arise within a construction project and propose appropriate solutions.
Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities and situations.
Strong knowledge of construction practices, building codes, regulations, and industry standards.
Proficiency in using preconstruction software, estimating tools, and project management software.
Proven ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously, accurately, and on time.
Must be willing to travel to offices and project sites throughout the company on an as-needed basis to effectively provide support to preconstruction team members, pursuit team members, and clients, which will sometimes include overnight travel. The Corporate Director of Preconstruction may create a flexible travel schedule that aligns office and project support needs with personal and professional commitments. It is anticipated that travel may be required 10-20% of the time, with actual travel fluctuating based on project support needs and where the incumbent lives.
Minimum Education and/or Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or a related field. A minimum of 10+ years of preconstruction experience or Associate's Degree in a construction related field and 15+ years of preconstruction experience. Experience with large-scale projects, and projects in Knutson's core markets preferred (Healthcare, Education, Government, Science & Technology).
Additional Benefits & Perks:
Competitive Pay
Performance Based Career Advancement
Medical, Dental and Vision
Health Savings Account with employer contribution
Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off
Life and Long-Term Disability Benefit with no premium cost to employee
Mentorship Program
Tuition Reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employee Referral Bonus Program
Scholarship Program
Flex Fridays
401k w/Company Match
Annual Discretionary Bonus Program
Successful Annual Discretionary Profit-Sharing Program
Paid Parental Leave
