Pre-Construction Manager

Cornerstone Recruiting; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone Recruiting is seeking a skilled Pre-Construction Manager to lead complex commercial projects from concept through construction handoff in the Maryland/Baltimore area.

This role partners with owners, architects, engineers, estimators, and construction teams to ensure projects are thoroughly planned, competitively priced, and positioned for successful execution before field work begins. Steel, architectural metals, and glazing experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience leading pre-construction, estimating, or design-build efforts on commercial construction projects.
• Strong understanding of construction estimating, budgeting, procurement, scheduling, and risk management.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with clients and project stakeholders.
• Experience participating in client presentations, project pursuits, or design-assist opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from award through a seamless transition to the construction team.
• Develop comprehensive pre-construction plans, schedules, and project execution strategies.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Estimating, Procurement, Business Development, and Construction.
• Review project scope, validate pricing, identify value engineering opportunities, and help maximize project profitability.
• Identify potential project risks early and develop practical mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate engineering deliverables, shop drawings, RFIs, submittals, procurement activities, and project schedules.
• Ensure project documentation is complete, accurate, and aligned with contractual requirements.
• Build strong relationships with owners, architects, general contractors, suppliers, and subcontractors throughout the design-assist process.
• Support client presentations, conceptual budgeting, proposals, contract reviews, and project planning efforts.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance project execution, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Construction Management

Pre-construction

Client relationship

Budgeting & Estimating

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Estimating software

Job description

Are you a strategic construction professional who thrives at the intersection of engineering, estimating, client collaboration, and project planning? Our client, a nationally recognized specialty design-build contractor, is seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to lead complex commercial projects from concept through construction handoff.

This is an excellent opportunity to join an innovative organization known for delivering technically challenging, architecturally significant projects. In this role, you'll partner with clients, architects, engineers, estimators, and construction teams to ensure every project is thoroughly planned, commercially sound, and positioned for successful execution before work begins in the field. Experience with steel, architectural metals, and/or glazing is required.

What You'll Do:

As the Pre-Construction Manager, you'll serve as the primary leader throughout the pre-construction phase, coordinating all technical and operational activities while ensuring projects are fully aligned with schedule, budget, quality, and client expectations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead projects from award through a seamless transition to the construction team.
• Develop comprehensive pre-construction plans, schedules, and project execution strategies.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Estimating, Procurement, Business Development, and Construction.
• Review project scope, validate pricing, identify value engineering opportunities, and help maximize project profitability.
• Identify potential project risks early and develop practical mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate engineering deliverables, shop drawings, RFIs, submittals, procurement activities, and project schedules.
• Ensure project documentation is complete, accurate, and aligned with contractual requirements.
• Build strong relationships with owners, architects, general contractors, suppliers, and subcontractors throughout the design-assist process.
• Support client presentations, conceptual budgeting, proposals, contract reviews, and project planning efforts.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance project execution, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

What We're Looking For:

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent industry experience).
• Experience leading pre-construction, estimating, or design-build efforts on commercial construction projects.
• Strong understanding of construction estimating, budgeting, procurement, scheduling, and risk management.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with clients and project stakeholders.
• Experience participating in client presentations, project pursuits, or design-assist opportunities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while collaborating across several internal departments.

Why This Opportunity?

This is more than a traditional pre-construction position. You'll have the opportunity to influence project strategy from the earliest stages, collaborate directly with executive leadership, and help deliver some of the industry's most complex and visually impressive commercial construction projects.

If you enjoy solving complex challenges, building strong client relationships, and helping projects succeed before construction even begins, we'd love to speak with you.