Pre-Construction Project Manager

Position: PRE-CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER
Location: Kitchener North

Zehr Construction, the construction division of Zehr Group, is looking for a Preconstruction Project Manager. This individual will be responsible for coordinating and managing the preconstruction activities of assigned projects from early design through construction readiness. Working closely with the estimating, design, development, and construction teams, as well as clients, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, and municipal authorities, the role helps ensure projects are properly planned, budgeted, coordinated, and ready for successful execution.

The position focuses on design coordination, constructability reviews, cost planning, scheduling, site logistics, risk management, procurement planning, and stakeholder communication. The successful candidate will identify potential issues early, recommend practical solutions, and help align project scope, budget, schedule, quality, and design objectives before construction begins.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY   Review architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and other relevant drawings and specifications throughout the design process.
Conduct constructability reviews at appropriate design stages to identify coordination issues, scope gaps, design conflicts, schedule impacts, and potential cost risks.
Coordinate with consultants and internal teams to resolve outstanding design issues, clarify scope, and maintain alignment with project requirements.
Monitor design deliverables against the preconstruction schedule and communicate delays, outstanding decisions, and required actions to the appropriate stakeholders.
Review proposed design changes and assess their potential impacts on cost, schedule, construction methodology, and overall project delivery.
Coordinate the preparation, distribution, and tracking of current project drawings, specifications, and other relevant documentation.
Estimating, Budgeting & Value Engineering   Work with the estimating team to ensure budgets are complete.
Assist with scope guidance and cost comparisons and evaluate alternative materials, building systems, and construction methods to identify value engineering opportunities without compromising required quality, performance, safety, or code compliance.
Assist with tender reviews, bid levelling, scope reconciliation, and subcontractor award recommendations.
Support the identification and management of allowances, exclusions, contingencies, and potential cost exposures.
Monitor budget development against the project scope and design progression, communicating anticipated variances and recommending corrective actions.
Scheduling, Site Logistics & Construction Readiness   Develop, maintain, and update preconstruction schedules identifying key milestones, design deliverables, approvals, permitting requirements, procurement activities, and construction-start dependencies.
Coordinate with consultants, authorities, utilities, subcontractors, and internal teams to maintain progress against established schedules.
Develop project-specific site logistics plans addressing site access, material deliveries, equipment requirements, laydown areas, temporary facilities, traffic management, temporary utilities, and site constraints.
Identify long-lead materials, early procurement requirements, and opportunities for phased or early works packages.
Coordinate the planning and procurement of early site requirements, including temporary power, fencing, site trailers, washrooms, and security provisions.
Identify schedule risks and recommend practical mitigation or recovery strategies in coordination with the project team.
Develop and maintain project risk and action registers, identifying design, budget, schedule, procurement, permitting, and constructability risks.
Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to establish mitigation measures, assign responsibilities, and track outstanding actions to resolution.
Assist with subcontractor procurement, scope reviews, bid evaluations, award recommendations, letters of intent, and subcontract preparation as required.
Support the transition from preconstruction to construction by organizing project documentation, outstanding items, procurement status, budget information, schedule assumptions, and identified risks.
Participate in project handover meetings to ensure the construction team has a clear understanding of the project scope, budget, schedule, logistics, and outstanding commitments.
Chair or participate in preconstruction meetings with clients, consultants, subcontractors,…