PreConstruction Manager

Job Title:
Pre‑construction Manager

Department: Pre‑construction / Estimating
Reports To: Director of Operations / General Manager

The Pre‑construction Manager is responsible for leading and managing all pre‑construction and estimating activities for a commercial landscape construction and installation company. This role oversees the estimating team, ensures the accuracy and completeness of project bids, and collaborates with Business Development and Operations to identify, pursue, and secure profitable work.

The Pre‑construction Manager plays a critical role in project selection, cost strategy, and maintaining a high win rate while ensuring alignment with company capabilities and resources.

• Manage the full pre‑construction process from bid solicitation through proposal submission
• Review project plans, specifications, and bid documents to ensure complete scope coverage
• Oversee quantity takeoffs, cost estimates, and proposal preparation
• Ensure all estimates are accurate, competitive, and submitted on time
• Establish and maintain production rates, labor assumptions, and cost databases

• Supervise, mentor, and develop estimating staff (3.5 estimators)
• Assign bid opportunities and manage workload across the team
• Set expectations for quality, accuracy, and timeliness
• Provide training and support to improve team performance

• Evaluate bid opportunities based on project fit, location, risk, and profitability
• Collaborate with Business Development to prioritize target clients and projects
• Analyze General Contractor relationships and historical performance
• Develop strategies to improve bid success rate and margins

• Attend pre‑bid meetings, site visits, and scope review meetings
• Coordinate with General Contractors, subcontractors, and vendors
• Clarify scope requirements and respond to RFIs during the bidding process

• Work closely with Operations to ensure estimates align with field execution
• Support project handoff to operations teams upon award
• Assist in value engineering and cost‑saving recommendations

• Utilize estimating and project management software to track bids and performance
• Maintain organized records of bids, costs, and historical data
• Continuously improve estimating processes, tools, and workflows

• Ensure vendor and subcontractor pricing is obtained and validated
• Track bid results, analyze wins/losses, and adjust strategies accordingly
• Monitor estimating KPIs including hit rate, margin accuracy, and turnaround time

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, or related field (preferred)
• 8+ years of experience in estimating or pre‑construction within commercial landscape construction or construction industry
• Proven experience managing estimating teams or leading pre‑construction efforts
• Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and labor production rates
• Experience working with General Contractors and bid‑build environments

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Effective leadership and team development abilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously
• Proficiency in estimating software and project management tools

• Primarily office‑based with occasional site visits and pre‑bid meetings
• Fast‑paced environment with multiple concurrent deadlines

• Ability to travel to job sites as needed
• Ability to review plans, drawings, and construction documents

• Competitive salary based on experience ($120‑140k base target)
• Performance‑based incentives or bonus potential
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401k plus matching