Senior Project Manager

Senior Preconstruction Manager – Main Office (Bethesda, MD)

Coakley & Williams is currently seeking a Senior Preconstruction Manager to lead complex preconstruction and estimating efforts for commercial construction projects ranging from $5 million to $50 million. This role is ideal for a construction professional who understands how to win work, build trusted client relationships, lead design-build pursuits, and guide teams through the full preconstruction process.

• Communicate with clients and actively participate in business development efforts to identify and pursue new construction opportunities.
• Secure new work that aligns with profitability guidelines while identifying, addressing and managing project risk.
• Build and strengthen relationships with owners, architects, engineers, construction managers, subcontractors, and other project stakeholders.
• Represent the company at industry organizations, networking events, career fairs, trade shows, and other market-facing events.
• Lead bid pursuits and preconstruction assignments, including client communication, plan interpretation, quantity surveys, estimates, scopes of work, bid lists, sub-bid analysis, bid clarifications, and value engineering.
• Lead teams of architects, engineers, and preconstruction managers on design-build pursuits.
• Train and mentor less experienced Preconstruction team members by providing guidance, answering questions, and sharing practical construction and estimating knowledge.
• Collaborate with Preconstruction team members and senior leadership to develop bid strategy.
• Coordinate with Operations to support successful bid outcomes and smooth project transitions.
• Stay current on construction market trends, including cost trends, pricing trends, competition, subcontractor availability, and owner selection criteria.
• Apply knowledge of the local subcontractor market to make informed decisions when selecting subcontractors for bids and estimates.
• Lead preconstruction meetings and client presentations, including defending estimates, managing expectations, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead post-bid reviews with owners and coordinate with senior leaders on negotiation parameters.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies and procedures that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Preconstruction department.

• Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• At least five (5) years of experience in estimating/preconstruction on projects ranging from $5 to $50 million.
• At least two (2) years of experience communicating directly with owners and architects.
• At least two (2) years of experience bidding on public/government design‑build projects.
• General knowledge of all construction trades.
• Fluency with Microsoft Office and Bluebeam.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands.

• One or more years of experience in business development.
• One or more years of experience leading design‑build pursuits.

This is an opportunity to take a senior role in the pursuit and preconstruction process, working closely with clients, design partners, subcontractors, Operations, and company leadership. You will have a direct impact on the work the company wins, the risks it manages, and the quality of the handoff from preconstruction to construction.

The right person will bring strong estimating judgment, confidence in client‑facing settings, and the ability to lead teams through complex design‑build and public/government pursuits. You will also have the opportunity to mentor others, improve department processes, and help shape how the company approaches future work.

In accordance with the Maryland Wage Transparency Law, the base salary range for this position is $ – $ per year.

The company offers a comprehensive total compensation and benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision coverage, employer‑matched 401(k), paid time off and holidays, performance‑based bonuses, wellness…