Pre-Construction Manager

J Benton Construction; United States Virgin Islands; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) retirement plan with company match

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Job summary

A leading construction firm in the U.S. Virgin Islands is looking for a Pre-Construction Manager to lead all pre-construction activities, including budgeting, scheduling, and risk analysis. Candidates should have at least 7 years of experience in pre-construction and a Bachelor's degree in a related field. The role requires strong leadership and analytical skills, with responsibilities including managing subcontractor outreach and facilitating coordination meetings. The position offers a comprehensive compensation package including health insurance and retirement benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in pre‑construction, estimating, or project management.
• Proven ability to manage complex pre‑construction efforts.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and systems.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and building systems.
• Proficiency with pre-construction, estimating, and project management platforms.
• Advanced knowledge of construction documents, contracts, and building codes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects while meeting schedule and financial objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead all pre‑construction efforts including estimating and budgeting.
• Develop project budgets and staffing plans in collaboration with project leadership.
• Serve as the primary client representative during pre‑construction phases.
• Manage subcontractor outreach, bid solicitation, evaluation, and buyout planning.
• Lead value engineering and cost optimization while maintaining quality.
• Serve as the primary client representative during pre-construction and early development phases.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Relationship Management

Analytical Capability

Strategic Thinking

Risk management

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

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

Tools

Timberline

On-Screen Takeoff

Primavera P6

Procore

Job description

About Us
J. Benton Construction, LLC is more than a construction company—we are a team of builders committed to delivering exceptional project experiences while giving back to the Virgin Islands community where we live and work. Our mission is to be recognized as one of the leading construction companies in the Caribbean through an unwavering focus on customer service, quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Since 2019, J. Benton has been in a strategic partnership with Consigli Construction Co., Inc., one of the Northeast’s top general contractors. This collaboration allows us to leverage shared expertise, complementary strengths, and national-level resources to deliver best‑in‑class projects throughout the region.

We are proud to call the U.S. Virgin Islands our home and to build projects that make a lasting impact on our community—while offering our employees meaningful careers with opportunities to grow.

Position Description

The Pre‑Construction Manager leads and manages all pre‑construction activities from conceptual planning through project award and transition to construction. This role partners closely with executive leadership, project teams, clients, and design professionals to establish budgets, schedules, logistics plans, procurement strategies, and risk mitigation solutions.

The Pre‑Construction Manager plays a critical role in shaping project success, protecting profitability, and delivering a best‑in‑class client experience during the pursuit and planning phases.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all pre‑construction efforts including estimating, budgeting, scheduling, logistics planning, and risk analysis
• Direct constructability, scope, and risk reviews to identify gaps, conflicts, and cost drivers
• Develop comprehensive project budgets, staffing plans, and execution strategies in collaboration with project leadership
• Manage subcontractor outreach, bid solicitation, evaluation, and buyout planning
• Lead value engineering and cost optimization initiatives while maintaining quality and performance standards
• Serve as the primary client representative during pre‑construction and early project development phases
• Facilitate coordination meetings with owners, architects, engineers, and internal teams
• Support business development activities including proposals, presentations, and interviews
• Prepare and present project budgets, risk assessments, and recommendations to executive leadership
• Ensure accurate documentation and lead the transition from pre‑construction to construction teams

Essential Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, negotiation, and relationship management skills
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation abilities
• High level of organizational and analytical capability
• Proven ability to manage complex, fast‑paced pre‑construction efforts
• Strategic thinking with strong financial and risk awareness
• Ability to influence multidisciplinary teams and external partners
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams in high‑stakes pursuit environments

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in pre‑construction, estimating, project management, or field supervision
• Demonstrated experience leading budgets, estimates, and procurement strategies
• Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and building systems
• Proficiency with pre‑construction, estimating, and project management platforms
• Advanced knowledge of construction documents, contracts, and building codes
• Ability to manage multiple projects while meeting schedule and financial objectives

Preferred Experience

• 10+ years of experience in pre‑construction or construction leadership roles
• Experience leading complex commercial, institutional, hospitality, aviation, or public‑sector projects
• Experience with CM‑at‑Risk, Design‑Build, or Integrated Project Delivery
• Proficiency with Timberline, On‑Screen Takeoff, Primavera P6, Procore, or similar platforms
• Experience supporting federal, territorial, or regulated projects
• BIM/VDC coordination experience during pre‑construction phases
• Strong network of trade partners and market relationships

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Ability to work in a combination of office and active construction site environments
• Ability to walk and navigate active construction sites with uneven terrain, varying elevations, and changing ground conditions
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and sun exposure
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders as necessary to access work areas
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during site visits
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods

Compensation & Benefits

The base salary for this position is one component of J. Benton Construction’s total compensation package. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including a candidate’s skills, experience, education, relevant qualifications, internal equity, and business needs.

• Company‑paid Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (employee‑only coverage)
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays (12)
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Company‑paid Life Insurance
• Company‑paid Short‑Term Disability

Equal Opportunity Employer

J. Benton Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer and federal contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We do not discriminate or retaliate against applicants or employees for discussing pay and provide reasonable accommodations as required.