Senior Manager, Preconstruction & Estimating

Experience: Senior Level

Salary: $170,000 - $220,000 per year

• Own the accuracy, integrity, and margin impact of our preconstruction estimates across assigned programs — accountable for pricing outcomes, not oversight only.
• Design, build, and restructure the Estimating & Preconstruction team as needed to meet pursuit demand; evaluate team structure, right‑sizing, and capability gaps across Estimators and Assistant Preconstruction staff.
• Lead and supervise direct reports:
  Assistant Preconstruction, Estimators, and Program / Project Management staff supporting preconstruction exercises.
• Refine and improve operational procedures across preconstruction workflows; establish standards for conceptual, schematic, design development, and GMP estimates.
• Develop and maintain our estimating systems and infrastructure: the preconstruction relational database (historical cost, schedule, bill of materials), pricing templates, Basis of Estimate standards, and communication/coordination tools. Direct investment in Technology and Finance support to keep the database accurate and current.
• Lead preconstruction pricing exercises end‑to‑end: subcontractor outreach (including Building Connected setup and coordination), RFP compilation, pricing documents, price leveling, and award recommendations.
• Develop program and project risk analyses; elevate risks clearly and proactively to Leadership.
• Lead both internal and Client-directed Value Engineering efforts.
• Develop initial DMC project schedules and construction schedules during the preconstruction phase; establish schedule assumptions that Program Management inherits at handoff.
• Track design scope through preconstruction; immediately elevate changes that affect budget or schedule, with clear impact, timeline, and recommended action.
• Lead the transfer of key estimating information to internal customers — Program and Project Management, Design, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Construction, and Finance — so that estimates live as operational truth after handoff.
• Take direct control of estimates or pursuits in serious jeopardy — pricing disputes, rapidly changing scope, significant client‑side escalations — and return them to a defensible, margin‑safe state.
• Present and defend pursuit and pricing reviews to Executive Leadership.
• Lead, in collaboration with the Head of Construction Engineering and Director of Field Operations, the development of scalable field self‑perform estimating tools; facilitate field‑ops estimating (quantity takeoffs, labor estimates, work plans) and constructability reviews with field trade experts.
• Lead or support the buyout of subcontractor and supplier agreements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Estimating & Preconstruction team; accountable for their performance, retention, and professional development.
• Champion safety and quality culture throughout the preconstruction process.

• Develop and maintain C‑suite‑level relationships with Client preconstruction and estimating leaders, representing us at the highest levels of client organizations during pursuit.
• Lead all Client presentations related to pricing, preconstruction, and Value Engineering; accountable for all materials presented to Clients or potential Clients.
• Manage the coordination interface with the Client’s preconstruction and estimating teams: progress communication, technical options, problems and opportunities, and GMP preparation inputs.
• Contribute to our strategic pipeline decisions — provide input on which programs, clients, and pursuits we commit to, based on margin viability, capacity, and strategic fit.
• Support our Commercial / Business Development team in the review and analysis of technical proposal requirements, preparation of proposals and pricing, and participation in meetings with potential Clients.
• Build and maintain positive relationships across our DMC ecosystem — subcontractors, general contractors, design consultants, vendors, Architects, Engineers, and Owner’s representatives.
• Support the CEO, CCO, and VP of Programs in the negotiation of Client contracts.

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction…