Director of Preconstruction

Director of Pre‑ConstructionOverviewWe are partnering on a confidential search for a Director of Pre‑Construction to lead front‑end development for ground improvement and foundation enablement packages across projects in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The Director will own the optioneering, pricing, and risk strategy for ground improvement scopes—from feasibility through design coordination, estimating, procurement planning, and risk management—ensuring a seamless handoff to operations.CompensationBase Salary: $190,000 – $220,000 (commensurate with experience)Total Rewards: Comprehensive benefits + RRSP programKey ResponsibilitiesGround Improvement Strategy: Lead optioneering and comparative analyses for ground improvement methods (e.g., vibro stone columns/rigid inclusions, vibro‑compaction, deep soil mixing, jet/compaction grouting, wick drains & surcharge, CFA/micropiles), aligned to geotechnical conditions, performance criteria, schedule, and cost.Geotechnical Due Diligence: Translate geotechnical reports, borehole logs, and lab results into executable scope assumptions, production rates, and contingency frameworks; recommend supplementary investigations and test sections.Design Management: Drive design‑assist with consultants and specialty vendors; clarify load paths, settlement/vibration criteria, groundwater controls, and interface points with shoring, excavation, and structural foundations.Estimating & Benchmarking: Oversee conceptual through Class A/B/C estimates for ground improvement packages; build cost databases, productivity norms, and escalation assumptions validated with market pricing.Procurement & Vendor Strategy: Prequalify and partner with specialty ground improvement contractors; develop bid strategies, alternates, long‑lead plans, and early packages to de‑risk cost and schedule.Scheduling & Phasing: Create pre‑con schedules that capture enabling works, test programs, instrumentation/monitoring, preload durations, and critical equipment mobilizations.Risk & Controls: Maintain risk registers addressing settlement, vibration, groundwater, obstructions, utility conflicts, and adjacent‑structure impacts; set monitoring thresholds and response plans.Stakeholder & Client Interface: Present options, trade‑offs, and recommendations to executive and client teams; align on performance criteria and acceptance testing.Handoff to Operations: Deliver turnover packages with scope books, production plans, QA/QC and monitoring plans, buyout strategies, and clear assumptions/allowances.Team Leadership: Mentor estimators, coordinators, and design managers; standardize processes, templates, and governance for repeatable outcomes.Qualifications10+ years in pre‑construction/estimating/design management with a GC/CM or specialty geotechnical/ground improvement contractor; 3–5+ years leading teams.Proven delivery of ground improvement and foundation enablement packages in Ontario (ICI, infrastructure, or multi‑residential/civil sites), including optioneering and design‑assist.Hands‑on knowledge of methods such as vibro stone columns/rigid inclusions, vibro‑compaction, deep soil mixing, jet/compaction grouting, wick drains & surcharge, CFA or micropiles, groundwater control, and settlement/vibration monitoring.Strong proficiency in conceptual estimating, quantity take‑off, production rate modeling, and procurement planning; advanced Excel skills.Familiarity with geotechnical and structural coordination, Ontario Building Code (Part 4), typical CCDC/CCA delivery models, and QA/QC/monitoring frameworks.Degree/Diploma in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Management, or related; P.Eng., PQS, GSC, or LEED are assets; exposure to tools such as Rocscience Settle3/Slide, gINT, PLAXIS, MS Project/Primavera, Bluebeam is an advantage.Leadership CompetenciesStrategic, data‑driven decision‑making; creates clarity under ambiguity.Exceptional communication and presentation skills with executive presence.Collaborative leader who builds trust with clients, consultants, and trade partners.Hands‑on coach who develops people and scalable systems.Why JoinLead the front‑end of a robust pipeline of ground improvement work with strong trade relationships.Build and scale standardized pre‑construction processes, templates, and governance with executive sponsorship.Competitive compensation, benefits, and RRSP.