Pre Construction Manager

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah is seeking a Pre Construction Project Manager to lead planning, budgeting, design coordination, and scheduling for capital projects. You will work with architects, engineers, contractors, and university departments to ensure well-scoped, strategically positioned initiatives.

Levels III–V require progressively more experience in managing design, construction, and stakeholder engagement; PMP/CCM/LEED/DBIA credentials are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree as specified or equivalent experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may satisfy requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage capital projects through programming, planning, and pre-construction phases.
• Coordinate project planning efforts with departments, architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and facilities personnel.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, schedules, cost estimates, and funding projections.
• Review plans and specs for alignment and feasibility; identify risks and mitigation strategies.
• Lead meetings and provide updates to stakeholders and leadership.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Scheduling

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Presentations

Procurement

Value engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, Facilities Management, or related field

Master's degree (optional)

Tools

Construction management software

Job description

Pre Construction Manager

The Pre-Construction Project Manager is responsible for leading and managing planning, programming, design coordination, budgeting, estimating, scheduling, risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement activities for capital construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects. This position serves as the primary point of contact during the Pre-Construction phase and collaborates with architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, facilities personnel, department leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure projects are strategically planned, appropriately scoped, and positioned for successful execution. The successful candidate will possess strong project management, communication, budgeting, and problem-solving skills and demonstrate the ability to manage projects of increasing size, complexity, and organizational impact.

Pre Construction Project Manager III (P48473) Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field, or equivalency, plus six years of directly related experience; or a master's degree, or equivalency, plus four years of directly related experience. Demonstrated experience managing design, construction, facilities, or capital projects and coordinating project scope, schedules, and budgets.

Pre Construction Project Manager IV (P48474) Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field, or equivalency, plus eight years of directly related experience; or a master's degree, or equivalency, plus six years of directly related experience. Demonstrated experience leading complex capital projects, managing project planning and design activities, and coordinating diverse stakeholder groups.

Pre Construction Project Manager V (P48475) Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field, or equivalency, plus ten years of directly related experience; or a master's degree, or equivalency, plus eight years of directly related experience. Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, project development, risk management, and executive-level stakeholder engagement while managing large-scale or highly complex capital construction projects.

The department may hire at one of the following levels based on organizational needs and the candidate's qualifications, skills, and experience and demonstrated competencies.

Responsibilities

• Manage capital projects through programming, planning, and pre-construction phases.
• Facilitate project initiation, feasibility studies, and project scope development.
• Coordinate project planning efforts with university departments, architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and facilities personnel.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, schedules, cost estimates, and funding projections.
• Review architectural and engineering plans, specifications, and other technical documents for project alignment and feasibility.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Lead project meetings and provide regular updates to stakeholders and leadership.
• Ensure compliance with applicable university policies, building codes, accessibility standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate campus infrastructure, utility, operational, and facility impacts during project planning.
• Assist in procurement activities including consultant selection, contractor engagement, and contract administration.
• Support value engineering efforts and evaluate project alternatives to maximize cost effectiveness and operational outcomes.
• Prepare executive summaries, presentations, reports, and recommendations for leadership review.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining quality, schedule, and budget expectations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Pre-Construction Project Manager, III: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Pre-Construction Project Manager, IV: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.

Pre-Construction Project Manager, V: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

• Experience managing higher education, healthcare, research, or institutional construction projects.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, CCM, LEED, DBIA, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of construction delivery methods including Design-Bid-Build, CM/GC, and Design-Build.
• Experience with capital planning, facilities management, and campus development.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, cost estimating, scheduling, and risk management principles.
• Experience facilitating stakeholder engagement across diverse groups.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with project management and construction management software.

Requisition Number: PRN46051B

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Work Schedule Summary: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00pm

Department: 01135 - Construction Management

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: $85,000- $185,000

Close Date: 11/28/2026

Open Until Filled: