Senior Director of Pre-Construction - Atlanta, GA at Cortland

Atlanta, GAFull-timePre-ConstructionPosted 28 days ago

About the Role

<div class="content-intro">At Cortland, we operate with a forward-thinking approach that challenges conventional norms and actively seeks insights beyond traditional industry boundaries. As a recognized leader in the multifamily sector, our focus on performance, innovation, and disciplined execution continues to drive strong growth and market leadership. We are committed to building a best-in-class organization by empowering top talent with the resources, autonomy, and support needed to deliver results and advance their careers in a high-performance environment.</div>Role Overview  As the Sr. Director of Pre‑Construction, you’ll lead the full pre‑construction program across a diverse multifamily development portfolio, with a strategic focus on third‑party growth, new development, and market expansion. You’ll set enterprise‑wide pre‑construction strategy, drive work acquisition, and influence project outcomes from concept through GMP—partnering closely with executive leadership, ownership groups, and cross‑functional teams to ensure financial discipline, technical excellence, and scalable growth.    Pre‑Construction Strategy, Financial Leadership & Estimating  <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="47" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Lead the end‑to‑end pre‑construction process across all projects, including conceptual, schematic, design development, and pre‑GMP estimating. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="47" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Establish and oversee pre‑construction standards, cost models, and estimating methodologies to support portfolio growth and third‑party work. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="47" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Direct development, refinement, and governance of all pre‑construction budgets, including general conditions, allowances, contingencies, and value‑engineering strategies. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="47" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Implement disciplined cost‑control systems that ensure transparent, data‑driven, and defensible financial decisions. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="47" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Review and present executive‑level variance analyses highlighting scope changes, market conditions, pricing shifts, and financial impacts. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="47" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Deliver monthly portfolio‑level cost analysis and financial reporting to senior leadership and ownership. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="47" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">Guide contract and procurement strategy, including bid leveling, scope alignment, subcontractor engagement, and early trade partner involvement. </li> </ul>   Executive Leadership, Growth & Client Engagement  <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="48" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Serve as a senior leader in work acquisition efforts, owner interviews, pursuits, and third‑party development opportunities. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="48" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Partner with executive leadership to shape divisional strategy, annual business plans, staffing models, and long‑term growth initiatives. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="48" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Act as a primary pre‑construction liaison to owners, developers, lenders, and investment partners. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="48" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Drive alignment across Development, Design, Operations, Finance, and external consultants on scope, schedule, risk, and budget. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="48" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Influence early project decisions to optimize feasibility, returns, constructability, and schedule certainty. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="48" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Proactively identify and escalate risks related to entitlement, site conditions, design gaps, procurement, market volatility, or execution strategy. </li> </ul>   Technical Oversight, Design Leadership & Risk Management  <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="50" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Lead high‑level design and constructability reviews to ensure cost alignment, scope clarity, and compliance with brand, code, and performance standards. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="49" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Oversee technical due diligence efforts, including site logistics, phasing, geotechnical conditions, utilities, and infrastructure coordination. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="49" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Manage and direct external consultants (ADA, envelope, geotechnical, MEP, specialty advisors) to ensure technical accuracy and value alignment. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="49" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Provide strategic guidance on early procurement, escalation assumptions, labor and material trends, and subcontractor market conditions. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="49" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Ensure all pre‑construction deliverables—estimates, schedules, narratives, design comments, and risk logs—are complete, consistent, and aligned with project objectives. </li> </ul>   Qualifications   <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="51" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">10+ years of progressive pre‑construction and construction leadership experience; multifamily and/or hospitality experience strongly preferred. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="51" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Building Science, Business Management, or a related field. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="51" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Proven expertise in estimating, cost control, procurement strategy, scheduling, and design coordination at a portfolio or enterprise level. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="51" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Strong understanding of contract law, project accounting, and the full development lifecycle. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="51" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">High proficiency in pre‑construction and construction technology (e.g., Timberline, On‑Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, Procore, MS Office). </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="51" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Executive‑level communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence owners, partners, and senior leadership. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="51" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects while maintaining strategic focus and financial rigor. </li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="51" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1">Willingness to travel as needed. </li> </ul><div class="content-conclusion">About Cortland Founded in 2005, Cortland is an international, vertically integrated multifamily real estate investment, development, and management firm with a resident-centric approach to living experiences. Recognized as one of the top 10 multifamily owners and operators in the US, Cortland combines in-house design, construction, and operations to deliver value and innovation across its portfolio. Join us as we reimagine apartment living and drive outsized returns through purpose, performance, and people.   Cortland is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud to support and celebrate diversity in the workplace. We are committed to equal consideration for all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance with the application process and/or using our website, please email [email protected] Cortland is a drug-free workplace. Cortland participates in e-verify to verify the employment status of all persons hired to work in the United States. California Applicant Privacy Notice We collect personal information from all job applicants, including identifiers (e.g., name, contact details), professional or employment information (e.g., résumé, work history, qualifications), and education information. This information is used for recruiting, evaluating your candidacy, conducting interviews, and managing the application process. California residents may request access to or deletion of their personal information by contacting us at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> GDPR Statement When you apply to a job on this site, the personal data contained in your application will be collected by Cortland (“Controller”), which is located at 3424 Peachtree RD NE Suite 300 Atlanta, GA and can be contacted by emailing [email protected] because Controller wishes to evaluate your candidacy for employment at Controller. Your personal data was either obtained from publicly available sources (e.g. LinkedIn) or provided to Controller by someone who referred you for potential employment. Controller’s data protection officer is Greg Shultz, who can be contacted at [email protected]. Your personal data will be processed for the purposes of managing Controller’s recruitment related activities, which include setting up and conducting interviews and tests for applicants, evaluating and assessing the results thereto, and as is otherwise needed in the recruitment and hiring processes. Such processing is legally permissible under Art. 6(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation) as necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the Controller, which are the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of applicants for employment. Your personal data has been shared with Greenhouse Software, Inc., a cloud services provider located in the United States of America and engaged by Controller to help manage its recruitment and hiring process on Controller’s behalf. Accordingly, if you are located outside of the United States, your personal data has been transferred to the United States. Because the European Union Commission has determined that United States data privacy laws do not ensure an adequate level of protection for personal data collected from EU data subjects, the transfer was subject to appropriate additional safeguards under [either the standard contractual clauses or the Privacy Shield]. You can obtain a copy of the standard contractual clauses by contacting us at [email protected] Your personal data will be retained by Controller as long as Controller determines it is necessary to evaluate your application for employment. Under the GDPR, you have the right to request access to your personal data, to request that your personal data be rectified or erased, and to request that processing of your personal data be restricted. You also have to right to data portability. In addition, you may lodge a complaint with an EU supervisory authority.      </div>

About the Role

About the Role

Related Roles

About the Role

Related Roles