Pre-Construction and Design Manager

Onni Group; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Onni is seeking a senior pre-construction leader to oversee the full lifecycle from design coordination to securing subcontracts. The role requires coordinating with architects, engineers, interior designers, and multiple city sites, with regular travel across North America.

Strong design fluency, commercial acumen, and negotiation skills are essential for driving value engineering and procurement strategies.

Qualifications

• Progressive experience in pre-construction management or design coordination (interior design background a plus)
• Education in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or Interior Design
• Excellent tendering and negotiation skills required
• Deep understanding of procurement, pricing agreements, and supply chain/lead-time management
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Proficiency with drawing/editing packages and related software
• Experience with BIM/Revit, AutoCAD, estimating software, and project management platforms
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and negotiate with clients/subcontractors
• Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle
• Willingness to travel regularly between cities/project sites
• Multilingual candidates are an asset

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with architects, engineers, and consultants and manage interior designers to meet client intent and codes
• Oversee the Interior Design department and its deliverables
• Direct pre-construction schedule, resources, and workflow for timely handoffs to construction
• Lead procurement and subcontractor pre-qualification, bidding, and contracts
• Negotiate pricing agreements and supplier relationships for construction/design products
• Track supply chain conditions and lead times for planning
• Set and update design standards and drawing procedures
• Review drawings for alignment with design intent
• Collaborate with teams on amenities and suites specifications
• Travel to project sites and offices as required

Skills

Tendering & negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project management

Travel flexibility

Multilingual

Education

Engineering/Architecture/Construction Mgmt/Interior Design degree

Tools

BIM/Revit

AutoCAD

Estimating software

Project management software

Job description

Job Description: Position Overview This role oversees the full pre-construction lifecycle: coordinating with architects and engineers, managing interior designers, and driving value engineering and securing subcontracts. We're looking for someone who combines strong design fluency with sharp commercial and negotiation instincts. This is a multi-city role, and regular travel is expected and required.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate with architects, engineers, and consultants, and manage interior designers, to ensure designs meet client intent, building codes, and safety standards
• Oversee the Interior Design department and its deliverables
• Oversee internal and external Interior Design teams to ensure company design standards are implemented throughout the pre-construction period
• Direct the pre-construction schedule, resource allocation, and workflow to ensure timely handoffs to construction teams
• Ensure the performance procurement of construction materials is executed efficiently
• Lead value engineering - identifying cost-saving alternatives and constructability improvements without sacrificing quality
• Run subcontractor pre-qualification, bidding, negotiation, and contract award
• Negotiate pricing agreements and procurement strategies for construction and design products; build and maintain supplier relationships
• Track supply chain conditions and lead times, and factor them into planning
• Set and update design standards, policies, and drawing procedures to improve efficiency
• Review and edit drawings to ensure product alignment with company standards and design intent
• Collaborate with construction, development, and design teams on specifications for amenities and suites
• Hand off complete project data, risks, and schedules to Project Management and Field Operations
• Travel to multiple project sites and city offices as required
• Multilingual candidates are an asset; additional language proficiency is considered a strong advantage

Required Qualifications

• 10-15 years of progressive experience in pre-construction management, estimating, construction management, or design coordination (interior design background a plus)
• Education in a related field such as Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or Interior Design
• Excellent tendering and negotiation skills required
• Deep understanding of procurement, pricing agreements, and supply chain/lead-time management
• Strong analytical skills and communication skills required
• Proficient with drawing and editing packages and a variety of related software
• Proficiency with estimating software, BIM/Revit, AutoCAD, and project management platforms
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and high-stakes negotiations with clients and subcontractors
• Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly between cities/project sites
• Multilingual candidates are an asset; additional language proficiency is considered a strong advantage

Salary Range: $120k - $180k

About The Company

Onni For over half a century, Onni has been building communities for people to live, work, and play. Our success reflects our commitment to our employees and partners, and our dedication to quality construction, innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. Our expertise expands across North America, with offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Los Angeles, Seattle, Phoenix, and Chicago.

AI Use

This role may involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support research, analysis, content development, design, reporting, or operational efficiency. Employees are expected to use AI responsibly and in compliance with company policies, data privacy requirements, confidentiality obligations, and applicable laws. All AI-generated or AI-assisted outputs must be reviewed for accuracy, quality, and appropriateness before use. Employees are also expected to disclose when AI tools have been used in the creation of work and must not present AI-generated content as solely their own original work.