Preconstruction Manager

Position Summary

Leads the design and preconstruction process for assigned pursuits and projects from early opportunity through contract/GMP agreement and transition to operations. Integrates client goals, design development, cost planning, estimating, design and construction schedules, entitlements/permitting, long-lead procurement, constructability, risk and value strategy into a coordinated plan. Creates a positive and cohesive Owner/Architect/Contractor (O/A/C) team and serves as the central connector among the Owner, design team, trade partners, estimating resources and project delivery team, with a clear expectation of no surprises for the Owner.

• Define the project-specific preconstruction plan, deliverables, responsibilities and decision milestones.
• Lead regular preconstruction meetings and coordinate Owner, architect/engineer, estimating, operations, scheduling, VDC, sustainability and trade-partner input.
• Maintain alignment among scope, design, budget, schedule, procurement strategy and client priorities.
• Establish team alignment, roles and responsibilities early in the design phase and actively manage team health, accountability and decision‑making.
• Coordinate entitlements, permitting and existing‑conditions validation where these activities affect design, cost, schedule or project viability.
• Plan and execute an effective handoff from preconstruction to the project execution team.

• Own the cost‑management process from conceptual planning through detailed estimate/GMP or bid, coordinating estimating resources rather than requiring the role to personally perform every takeoff.
• Develop, test and communicate assumptions, allowances, alternates, escalation, contingencies and cost risks.
• Lead estimate reviews, scope reconciliation, bid leveling and budget updates; explain cost drivers clearly to clients and design teams.
• Support general conditions/general requirements, staffing plans, fee strategy and commercial qualifications.
• Support management of preconstruction/design‑phase service budgets, consultant agreements, trade‑partner agreements, projections and billings as appropriate to the assignment.

• Manage design‑to‑budget activities and facilitate Target Value Delivery/Design, value engineering and option analysis.
• Coordinate design reviews for constructability, completeness, coordination, code/permitting implications, logistics, sustainability and long‑lead impacts.
• Track design decisions, open issues and owner requirements; ensure changes are understood in terms of cost, schedule and risk.
• Work with architects and engineers to develop buildable, coordinated and cost‑effective solutions while respecting design intent and client requirements.
• Coordinate consultant and design‑assist/design‑build trade‑partner onboarding, scopes and interfaces so design responsibilities are complete and gaps are identified early.
• Use structured decision tools such as Options Analysis/A3s and decision logs to make cost, schedule and design impacts visible before major decisions are made.

• Develop and maintain the preconstruction schedule and contribute to conceptual construction schedules, phasing and logistics plans.
• Develop procurement and bid‑package strategy with operations and estimating, including early packages and long‑lead items.
• Develop early design‑assist/design‑build trade‑partner strategies and ensure scopes align with the Architect/Engineer of Record and construction requirements.
• Facilitate risk and opportunity workshops; maintain a clear risk register with owners, actions and commercial/schedule implications.
• Engage…