Senior Preconstruction Manager

The Senior Preconstruction Manager serves as a strategic leader responsible for managing all phases of the preconstruction process for commercial construction projects. This role partners with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, and internal operations teams to deliver comprehensive preconstruction services that maximize value, reduce risk, and position projects for successful execution. The Senior Preconstruction Manager provides leadership throughout conceptual budgeting, estimating, value engineering, constructability reviews, scheduling, procurement planning, and proposal development while fostering strong client relationships and supporting business development initiatives.

• Lead all aspects of the preconstruction process from project pursuit through construction turnover.
• Develop and maintain conceptual, schematic, design development, and GMP estimates with a high level of accuracy.
• Direct estimating teams during quantity takeoffs, pricing exercises, subcontractor outreach, and bid evaluations.
• Establish and maintain project budgets throughout the design process.
• Prepare detailed cost analyses, cost models, benchmarking studies, and pricing narratives.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies throughout design development.
• Coordinate seamless transition of awarded projects to operations teams.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with owners, developers, architects, engineers, and consultants.
• Facilitate preconstruction meetings and guide project stakeholders through budgeting and design decisions.
• Present estimates, value engineering recommendations, schedules, and procurement strategies to clients.
• Provide cost guidance that supports design decisions while maintaining project objectives.
• Serve as the primary preconstruction contact for assigned projects.
• Prepare and review detailed estimates for commercial construction projects across multiple market sectors.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, and other contract documents.
• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and supplier proposals.
• Develop labor, equipment, material, and subcontract pricing strategies.
• Maintain historical cost databases and market intelligence.
• Monitor construction market trends, escalation factors, labor availability, and material pricing.

• Lead value engineering workshops that improve project value without sacrificing quality.
• Perform constructability reviews during each design milestone.
• Recommend alternate materials, systems, and construction methods.
• Evaluate long-lead procurement items and develop early purchasing strategies.
• Collaborate with operations personnel to ensure estimates reflect field execution strategies.

• Develop conceptual and detailed preconstruction schedules.
• Identify critical path activities and procurement milestones.
• Coordinate with operations to establish project phasing and logistics plans.
• Evaluate schedule impacts associated with design changes and owner requests.

• Participate in client interviews and proposal presentations.
• Assist with RFQs, RFPs, and negotiated project pursuits.
• Support relationship-building efforts with existing and prospective clients.
• Represent the company at industry events and professional organizations.
• Help identify new project opportunities and strengthen repeat client relationships.

• Mentor, coach, and develop preconstruction managers, estimators, and support staff.
• Promote collaboration between estimating, operations, business development, and project management teams.
• Establish best practices and standardized preconstruction processes.
• Foster a culture centered on teamwork, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible commercial construction estimating and preconstruction experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading preconstruction efforts on negotiated commercial projects.
• Strong understanding of commercial building systems, construction means and methods, scheduling, procurement, and project delivery.
• Experience preparing conceptual estimates through Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) proposals.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

• Experience with healthcare, higher education, industrial, manufacturing, corporate office, mixed-use, municipal, or mission-critical construction projects.
• Knowledge of Design-Build, CM at Risk, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and Design-Assist delivery methods.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Professional Estimator (CPE), DBIA, LEED Accredited Professional, or CCM are preferred.

• Advanced proficiency with estimating software (Sage Estimating, Win Est, DESTINI, or equivalent).
• Experience…