Manager, Pre-Construction Services

Gray, Inc.; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Gray, Inc. is seeking a Manager for Pre-Construction Services in their Lexington office. This role involves leading the pre-construction execution for various projects, developing estimates, and collaborating with team members. Ideal candidates will have strong communication and leadership skills, along with a Bachelor's degree and at least five years of relevant experience.

The position promises an engaging work environment that values collaboration and professional growth, reflecting Gray's commitment to excellence in construction and engineering services.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of related experience and/or training.
• Strong communication and leadership skills are essential.
• Proficient in document preparation and spreadsheet software.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day pre-construction execution for assigned projects.
• Develop and manage conceptual and detailed estimates.
• Prepare conceptual budgets to support pursuit positioning.
• Engage with customers and vendors to clarify scope.
• Analyze proposals to confirm scope alignment.
• Identify and communicate key risks and opportunities.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Leadership skills

Proficient in standard software tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Estimating-related applications

Job description

Overview

Gray is looking to add a Manager, Pre-Construction Services to their Lexington office.

Responsibilities

Why Gray?

Gray is a fully integrated, global service provider deeply rooted in engineering, design, and construction, along with smart manufacturing and equipment manufacturing services. Consistently ranked as a leader in the industry, we focus on the following markets for domestic and international customers: Food & Beverage, Manufacturing, Data Centers, Distribution, and Advanced Technology.

Founded in 1960, Gray’s robust offering enables us to create one‑of‑a‑kind solutions at the highest levels of customization, delivering unmatched precision and partnership to some of the world’s most sophisticated organizations. Still, these areas don’t define Gray—our people do. Passion, commitment, and a great team spirit all speak to the team members at Gray.

What we expect

• Leadsday‑to‑daypre‑construction execution for assigned pursuits and projects, coordinating estimating, scheduling, design collaboration, and procurement input through final pricing.
• Develops and manages conceptual, schematic, and detailed estimates, ensuring scope, assumptions, quantities, and pricing are complete, accurate, and aligned with pursuit objectives and Gray standards.
• Prepares conceptual budgets and estimate analyses to support pursuit positioning, internal reviews, and customer discussions.
• Coordinates closely with Gray operations, design management, procurement and scheduling teams to support constructability, phasing strategies, logistics planning, and smooth transition from pre‑construction into execution.
• Engages with customers, designers, trade partners, and vendors to clarify scope, validate assumptions, and support development of reliable pricing and schedules.
• Analyzes trade partner and vendor proposals to confirm scope alignment, identify gaps or risks, and support complete and defensible pricing.
• Identifies, documents, and communicates key risks, opportunities, and cost drivers, escalating issues appropriately and contributing to informed decision‑making by senior pre‑construction leadership.
• Leads and coordinates pre‑construction staff assigned to projects or pursuits, providing direction, reviewing work for quality and completeness, and coaching team members to improve performance.
• Applies Gray’s pre‑construction tools, benchmarks, and best practices, contributing to consistency and continuous improvement across the pre‑construction team.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Who we want

• Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university; and a minimum offiveyears related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Proficient in standard business and pre‑construction software tools, including document preparation, spreadsheets, email, and estimating‑related applications.

The new team member should be an energetic, self‑motivated individual who enjoys a team environment, as well as a passion for collaboration and professional development. If you are a high achiever striving to exceed expectations in a fast‑paced innovative company, then Gray is the place for you.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the team member is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands or arms and talk or hear. They may occasionally be required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision.

Generally, normal office environment where noise level is moderate and temperature/humidity is controlled. Overtime may be required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Gray is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes everyone to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.