Pre-Construction Manager DER

McKinstry Company; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 103,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Parental leave

Commuter benefits

Job summary

McKinstry is seeking a Pre-Construction Manager to lead the DER division’s early-stage planning, estimating and risk assessment for solar and storage projects. You will coordinate with owners, subcontractors, and internal teams to craft budgets, schedules and execution plans.

The role requires 5–7 years in PM/engineering/construction, familiarity with MS Project/Primavera, and a collaborative approach to optimize cost and schedule while transitioning from development to construction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, business, or Engineering or equivalent work experience required.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in project management, engineering, or construction.
• Familiar with scheduling software: Microsoft Project, Primavera and/or Suretrak required.
• PE, CPM, LEED professional designations is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Identify, solicit, and manage proposals and relationships with project owners and subcontractors to facilitate scope, schedule and budgeting.
• Develop conceptual estimates for solar/battery storage projects.
• Manage scope and budget of a portfolio of projects from bid phase through handoff to construction.
• Participate in bid design, manage budget, risk and opportunities for budget, and ensure transition between preconstruction and construction.

Skills

Conceptual estimating

Budget management

Project coordination

Client communication

Team leadership

Scheduling software

Negotiation

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, business, or Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera

SureTrak

Construction financial software

Job description

Build the future, spark innovation and align your career with purpose.

McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we're building a thriving planet.

Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We're making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability and equity crises through:

• renewables and energy services
• engineering and design
• construction and facility services

To get where we're going, we need big thinkers, problem solvers and collaborative mindsets. Does that sound like you?

The Opportunity with McKinstry

We are adding a Pre-Construction Manager to our growing DER division. The Pre-Construction Manager is responsible for identifying, soliciting, and managing proposals and relationships with project owners and subcontractors to facilitate successful scope, schedule, and budgeting. Ensure successful transition from Development to Construction by coordinating with functional teams. Additionally, some responsibilities you will have include:

Preconstruction Management

• Must be proficient in conceptual estimating large solar/battery storage systems from very basic narratives /plans.
• Develop conceptual estimates for Projects.
• Manages scope and budget of a portfolio of projects in bid phase through handoff to the construction team.
• During bid design and estimating phase for project; manages bid design requirements, managing budget, managing risk and opportunities for budget.
• Partners with Project Managers to assure perfect transition between preconstruction and construction.
• Protects/enhances gross margin potential on all projects.
• Participate fully in department betterment goals in order to streamline and enhance quality of deliverables to our clients (internal and external).
• Excellent communication skills with our clients is paramount for the success in this position. You are expected to deliver and manage estimates/budgets throughout the duration of the project.
• Support and participate in industry / business development activities. Attend project interviews, as needed.

Project Controls

• Employ McKinstry best practices along with preconstruction process to each project.
• Mitigate all risks within the preconstruction process so that scope is completely covered and contingency is employed in areas of risk.
• Utilize McKinstry technology platforms to track projects and keep historical databases/metrics up to date.
• Work with vendors and subcontractors to ensure pricing input on all projects under your direction.
• Excellent scope letter and narrative writing abilities to clearly delineate scope of work and to assist our owner/general contractor in making sure project scope is completely covered.
• Follow McKinstry best practices for estimate reviews on every job.
• Assumes financial responsibility for projects in preconstruction phase including accurate, timely and relevant reporting to stakeholders.
• Creates RFP's for major subcontractors and scopes of work.
• Ensures the preparation of Job Start materials.
• Reviews contracts, drawings, specifications and other resources to answer questions in a timely manner.
• Ensures that all material and equipment is purchased in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Evaluates bid estimates, develops cost codes, establishes definitive budgets, develops manpower plan with Superintendents, and monitors field labor progress.
• Participate in development and implementation of a comprehensive construction plan.
• Monitors progress towards goals to anticipate potential problems.
• Delivers accurate and timely data to support project forecasts.

Team Management

• Coaches and mentors project team members.
• Acts as steward of McKinstry culture; communicate and influence policies and procedures.
• Establishes and leads associated meetings.
• Define individual project responsibilities and accountabilities.
• Manage pre-construction planning, feasibility assessments, and site readiness activities for DER projects.
• Ensure strong external partnerships with subcontractors and material vendors.
• Coordinate with engineering, project development, and construction teams to align pre-construction efforts.
• Develop pre-construction schedules, budgets, and risk assessments to support project execution.
• Evaluate subcontractor proposals and support procurement strategies for early-stage project needs.

What You Need to Succeed at McKinstry

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, business, or Engineering or equivalent work experience required.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in project management, engineering, or construction is required.
• Familiar with scheduling software: Microsoft Project, Primavera and/or Suretrak required.
• Experience working for a General Contractor or Major Electrical Subcontractor preferred.
• PE, CPM, LEED professional designations is preferred, but not required.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook and required.
• Basic estimating skills required.
• RCDD, CPM professional designation is preferred.
• Proficient with construction financial programs and software preferred.
• Demonstrates an understanding of accounting and financial management preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel regionally.
• Physical ability to navigate jobsites in uneven terrain.
• Provide personal transportation for meetings and job visits away from the office; reimbursed.
• Physically able to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Knowledge & Skills: Strategic Project Management, Estimating, Scheduling software, Permitting, problem-solving, risk mitigation, pre-design, communication, negotiation, critical thinking, bid review

PeopleFirst Benefits

When it comes to the basics, we have you covered:

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match and profit-sharing plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

People come first at McKinstry, and we go beyond the basic benefits with:

• Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave
• Transgender inclusive benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Pet insurance
• "Building Good" paid community service time
• Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University
• McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers

See benefit plan documents for complete details.

If you're driven by our vision to build a thriving planet together, McKinstry is the place to build your career.

The pay range for this position is $102,780 - $171,400 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Base pay information is based on market location. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.

The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

McKinstry is a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.

Applicants for this role will only be considered if they possess current US Work Authorization, and do not require employer-sponsored VISA support to begin or remain in this role.