Preconstruction Career Opportunities

Preconstruction Manager  ·  Senior Preconstruction Manager  ·  Charlotte, NC

Preconstruction Manager

General Description

The Preconstruction Manager owns assigned projects through the preconstruction phase — from early conceptual budgets through bid, GMP, and hand-off to operations. Preconstruction is a client-facing discipline: the role builds the early cost plan, stays engaged with the owner and design team as the design evolves, and communicates clearly when scope and budget diverge so the client can make informed decisions. Close coordination with Project Managers and Superintendents ensures that what is priced can be built as planned.

Position Requirements

Education:  Two-year Associate degree with related work experience, or a four-year BS in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline (preferred).

Experience:  Five to ten years of construction experience with an emphasis on estimating and preconstruction for commercial, industrial and manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and office projects. Negotiated and design-build delivery experience is strongly preferred. Hard-bid candidates will be considered when they demonstrate the desire and aptitude for a client-facing role.

Reports to:  Chief Estimator.

Location:  Charlotte, North Carolina. Occasional day travel to project sites, pre-bid meetings, and client offices; no extended travel.

Sector depth:  Generalist by design; team members move between market sectors. Depth in industrial and manufacturing with electrical, mechanical, and piping scope, heavy site work, or healthcare is a plus.

Job Responsibilities

  • Prepare conceptual and early-phase budgets from limited information; reconcile against the design at each milestone (SD, DD, CD).
  • Own the budget conversation with owners and architects — identify scope added since the last budget, quantify the impact, and present options so the client can decide before a number becomes a surprise.
  • Set up and manage subcontractor solicitations; ensure at least three qualified bidders in every major scope and follow up diligently on scope and pricing prior to bid day.
  • Review design documents and complete accurate quantity takeoffs; prepare proposals broken out by division with complete scope descriptions, clarifications, exclusions, and a schedule of values.
  • Attend pre-bid meetings; prepare, track, and distribute preconstruction RFIs; ensure subcontractors receive all updated documents via addenda and bulletins.
  • Think downstream: evaluate constructability, means and methods, and site conditions during preconstruction — for example, locating existing utilities rather than relying on the site plan — to prevent delays after mobilization.
  • Share ownership of the deal with the assigned Project Manager so the project is assembled the way operations will build it; lead or assist hand-off meetings for a clean transition to the field.
  • Visit job sites to understand means and methods; promote close-out meetings with the operations team to capture lessons learned.
  • Network with architects, engineers, prospective clients, and subcontractors; assist marketing and business development with proposals, RFQs, and client interviews.
  • Continue personal and professional growth through training, seminars, webinars, and continuing education.

Success Milestones

What a successful Preconstruction Manager demonstrates at each stage of the first six months:

Checkpoint Measurable Success
Day 30

Foundation

 Proficient in the Excel estimating structure and on-screen takeoff tools. Completed quantity takeoffs on at least one assigned scope through Chief Estimator review. Attended weekly meetings, at least one pre-bid meeting, and one job site visit.
Day 60

Contribution

 Set up subcontractor solicitation with three or more qualified bidders per major scope and documented follow-up prior to bid day. Participated in at least one owner or design-team meeting and tracked RFIs on a live pursuit.
Day 90

Ownership

 Assembled a complete estimate and proposal by division and co-presented to a client. Led at least one budget reconciliation conversation with an owner or architect, identifying added scope and presenting options.
Day 180

Independence

 Independently managing pursuits from conceptual budget through hand-off with no open scope gaps at transition. Buyout within an agreed variance, with at least one documented constructability or site due-diligence item that avoided a cost or schedule impact.

Senior Preconstruction Manager

General Description

The Senior Preconstruction Manager leads larger and more complex pursuits through the preconstruction phase and serves as a senior resource to the team. The role carries the budget conversation with owners and architects as design evolves, brings a builder’s perspective to design decisions, and thinks downstream so that what is priced can be built as planned. In addition to leading pursuits, the Senior Preconstruction Manager reviews and mentors Preconstruction Managers, maintains historical cost databases and lessons-learned resources, and supports preconstruction leadership on business development.

Position Requirements

Education:  Four-year professional degree required; BS in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.

Experience:  Ten or more years of relevant construction experience with an emphasis on estimating and preconstruction for commercial, industrial and manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and office projects. Demonstrated success leading negotiated and design-build pursuits from conceptual budget through GMP is expected.

Reports to:  Chief Estimator. May serve as direct supervisor for an Assistant Preconstruction Manager.

Location:  Charlotte, North Carolina, or Raleigh, North Carolina. Occasional day travel to project sites, pre-bid meetings, and client offices; no extended travel.

Sector depth:  Generalist by design; team members move between market sectors. Depth in industrial and manufacturing with electrical, mechanical, and piping scope, heavy site work, or healthcare is a strong plus.

Job Responsibilities

  • Lead larger and more complex pursuits; set up and direct pursuit teams with assigned responsibilities and deadlines.
  • Review Preconstruction Manager and Estimator work product; serve as the senior technical resource on strategy and approach for complex projects.
  • Prepare conceptual and early-phase budgets from limited information; reconcile against the design at each milestone (SD, DD, CD).
  • Carry the budget conversation with owners and architects as design evolves — identify scope additions not carried in the budget, present options, and document client decisions before they become surprises.
  • Mentor and train earlier-career preconstruction staff; maintain historical cost databases and the ongoing lessons-learned resources the team relies on.
  • Set up and manage subcontractor solicitations; ensure adequate coverage in every scope and follow up on scope and pricing prior to bid day.
  • Review design documents and complete accurate quantity takeoffs; prepare and present complete proposals by division with estimate, clarifications, exclusions, and schedule of values.
  • Think downstream: evaluate constructability, site conditions, and means and methods; push the team to complete due diligence — utility locates, site investigation — before mobilization rather than after.
  • Share ownership of the deal with the Project Manager; lead hand-off meetings to operations with clean, documented transitions; track awarded projects with Project Managers and Superintendents.
  • Identify more efficient means of construction to help win projects; assist marketing and business development with proposals, RFQs, and client interviews.
  • Network with architects, engineers, clients, and subcontractors; continue professional growth through training, seminars, webinars, and continuing education.

Success Milestones

What a successful Senior Preconstruction Manager demonstrates at each stage of the first six months:

Checkpoint Measurable Success
Day 30

Foundation

 Met individually with each Preconstruction Manager. Proficient in the Excel estimating environment and takeoff tools. Assigned as lead resource on an active pursuit; attended at least one client meeting and one job site visit.
Day 60

Leadership

 Leading a larger pursuit with a defined team, responsibilities, and deadlines. Reviewed and approved at least one PM estimate before client delivery. Submitted a written assessment of historical cost and lessons-learned databases to the Chief Estimator.
Day 90

Client Ownership

 Presented a complete proposal to a client; led at least one budget reconciliation conversation with documented options and client decision. Raised at least one constructability or site due-diligence item that changed the team’s approach before bid or GMP.
Day 180

Department Impact

 Owns cost and lessons-learned databases with current data from every project handed off in the period. Actively mentoring at least one earlier-career team member. Pursuits converting at or above department average; buyout within an agreed variance of the estimate.

Systems Knowledge  ·  Both Roles

Estimating tools here are standard for the industry. A sound foundation matters more than fluency in any specific platform. The Senior Preconstruction Manager role additionally requires proficient knowledge of building practices, systems, and assemblies across commercial, industrial, and healthcare construction.

  • Microsoft Office Suite with strong Excel skills (estimates are built in a structured Excel environment)
  • On-screen quantity takeoff (Bluebeam, Planswift, or comparable)
  • Microsoft Project or comparable scheduling software
  • Civil / earthwork takeoff software (Earthworks or comparable)
  • Subcontractor database and bid management (SmartBidNet or comparable)
  • Ability to read and interpret construction documents; working familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM deliverables
  • Cloud file sharing (ShareFile, Dropbox, or comparable); Procore or comparable at project hand-off