Preconstruction Operations Manager

Preconstruction Operations Manager

Location: Charlotte, NC Department: Construction – Preconstruction Reports To: Director of Construction Operations
- Carolinas Region Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Lead Preconstruction. Drive Cost Accuracy. Build Better Projects.

Stoa Group is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Operations Manager to lead preconstruction activities across our Carolinas region.

This leadership position is responsible for overseeing the regional preconstruction team, managing project estimates and budgets, identifying cost‑saving opportunities, and ensuring projects are thoroughly prepared for construction. The role combines team leadership with hands‑on estimating, financial analysis, and subcontractor development.

With responsibility for four or more multifamily developments at various stages of preconstruction, each averaging approximately 300 units and $40 million in project value, this position plays a key role in maintaining estimating accuracy, improving project costs, and ensuring a smooth transition from design to construction.

• Lead preconstruction activities for multifamily development projects throughout the Carolinas region, beginning at the Design Development stage through completion of design and project buyout.
• Oversee the regional preconstruction team, including Estimators and the Preconstruction Coordinator.
• Establish team priorities, manage workloads, and ensure timely completion of estimates, budgets, and other preconstruction deliverables.
• Provide coaching, performance management, and professional development to team members.
• Participate in hiring and staffing decisions for the preconstruction team in coordination with Construction leadership.
• Perform hands‑on estimating and other preconstruction responsibilities as project workloads require.
• Develop and improve processes that promote consistency, accuracy, and efficiency across the region.

• Lead the preparation and review of construction estimates and preliminary project budgets.
• Ensure estimates are accurate, complete, and delivered within established project timelines.
• Evaluate construction drawings, specifications, material selections, and project requirements to identify potential cost impacts.
• Develop and present value engineering recommendations and alternative material options to improve project costs while maintaining Stoa's quality standards.
• Monitor regional construction pricing trends and provide Development with regular market cost updates.
• Prepare budgets and cost‑saving recommendations for leadership review and approval.
• Identify estimating discrepancies, cost risks, and opportunities to improve budget reliability.

• Reconcile completed project costs against original estimates and budgets to evaluate estimating accuracy.
• Analyze cost variances, identify trends, and document lessons learned from completed projects.
• Prepare regional cost reports and recommendations to improve future estimates, material selections, and project planning.
• Work with Construction Operations and Project Managers to understand cost impacts resulting from design changes, scope gaps, and project execution.
• Apply historical project cost data and lessons learned to improve future preconstruction processes and decisions.

• Identify, evaluate, and develop relationships with new subcontractors, suppliers, and trade partners throughout the Carolinas region.
• Expand the regional subcontractor and vendor pool to improve pricing competitiveness, trade coverage, and project readiness.
• Coordinate bid solicitations, evaluate proposals, and identify opportunities for cost savings.
• Re…