Pre-Construction Manager- Kiewit Water Facilities South

Kiewit; Westlake, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Kiewit Water Facilities South is seeking a seasoned Pre-Construction Manager to guide planning, estimating, and early project development for large water and wastewater projects across North America. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, collaborate with clients and partners, and help shape strategic wins from concept through turnover.

The role requires a proven track record delivering large-scale facilities, strong leadership, and expertise in design-build and alternative delivery methods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in heavy civil, water, wastewater, or industrial construction.
• 10+ years of estimating, preconstruction, project management, or operations leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading pursuits valued at $100M+.
• Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, facilities, and infrastructure.
• Experience with design-build and alternative delivery procurement methods.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Strong financial acumen, including estimating, budgeting, forecasting, and risk analysis.
• Ability to travel and relocate as project and business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Lead all preconstruction activities from opportunity identification through project award.
• Develop pursuit strategies and work closely with district leadership to position KWFS for strategic growth.
• Establish project execution plans, staffing strategies, procurement approaches, and risk mitigation plans during the pursuit phase.
• Direct preparation of conceptual, budgetary, GMP, and detailed construction estimates.
• Oversee quantity development, cost modeling, pricing strategies, and estimate reviews.
• Lead risk identification workshops and develop mitigation strategies for commercial, technical, and operational risks.
• Evaluate subcontractor and supplier proposals to ensure competitiveness and alignment with project objectives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with owners, engineers, consultants, and strategic partners.
• Participate in executive presentations, proposal interviews, and project pursuit meetings.
• Collaborate with engineering teams during design development to maximize constructability, innovation, and value.
• Support market strategy development and opportunity identification efforts.
• Assist with contract negotiations and commercial strategy development.
• Ensure successful transition of awarded projects to project management and operations teams.

Skills

Strong communication

Negotiation

Leadership

Presentation

Relationship management

Willingness to travel

Education

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

Job description

Location:

Westlake, TX, US

Requisition ID:182205

Job Level:Director

Home District/Group:Kiewit Water Facilities South

Department:Field Operations

Market:Water/Wastewater

Employment Type:Full Time

Position Overview

Kiewit Water Facilities South (KWFS) is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Pre-Construction Manager to lead the planning, estimating, pursuit, and early project development efforts for complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects across North America. This individual will play a critical leadership role in securing and successfully launching projects by providing technical expertise, developing win strategies, managing preconstruction teams, and collaborating with clients, engineering partners, operations leadership, and business development teams.

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of pursuing and delivering large-scale water treatment plants, wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, conveyance systems, desalination facilities, and progressive design-build projects. This leader will help drive growth, manage risk, and ensure project success from concept through turnover to operations.

District Overview

Kiewit Water Facilities South specializes in constructing water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, and desalination plants across North America. Because our people receive continuous and extensive training, hands-on experience, and challenging responsibilities from day one, they quickly develop the expertise that has earned our district its reputation as the premier contractor in the southeast United States.

Location

This position may be based in one of KWFS's regional offices and will require periodic travel to client locations, project sites, and pursuit meetings. Relocation and travel flexibility are expected.

Responsibilities

• Lead all preconstruction activities from opportunity identification through project award.


• Develop pursuit strategies and work closely with district leadership to position KWFS for strategic growth.


• Establish project execution plans, staffing strategies, procurement approaches, and risk mitigation plans during the pursuit phase.


• Direct preparation of conceptual, budgetary, GMP, and detailed construction estimates.


• Oversee quantity development, cost modeling, pricing strategies, and estimate reviews.


• Lead risk identification workshops and develop mitigation strategies for commercial, technical, and operational risks.


• Evaluate subcontractor and supplier proposals to ensure competitiveness and alignment with project objectives.


• Develop and maintain strong relationships with owners, engineers, consultants, and strategic partners.


• Participate in executive presentations, proposal interviews, and project pursuit meetings.


• Collaborate with engineering teams during design development to maximize constructability, innovation, and value.


• Support market strategy development and opportunity identification efforts.


• Assist with contract negotiations and commercial strategy development.


• Ensure successful transition of awarded projects to project management and operations teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field.


• 15+ years of progressive experience in heavy civil, water, wastewater, or industrial construction.


• 10+ years of estimating, preconstruction, project management, or operations leadership experience.


• Demonstrated experience leading pursuits valued at $100M+.


• Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, facilities, and infrastructure.


• Experience with design-build and alternative delivery procurement methods.


• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.


• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.


• Strong financial acumen, including estimating, budgeting, forecasting, and risk analysis.


• Ability to travel and relocate as project and business needs require.

Other Requirements:

• Work productively and meet deadlines timely


• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment.


• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.


• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.


• May work at various different locations and conditions may vary.

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

There’s no limit to what you’ll do at Kiewit. Whether you’re building or supporting projects that provide communities with dependable energy, safe transportation, clean water, or access to health care, the work you do will positively impact people’s lives for generations to come.

Here you’ll have endless opportunities to expand your expertise through on-the-job experience and internal and external training and development opportunities.

We offer our full-time staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry.From top-tier health care programs to employee assistance programs and retirement planning, we aim to provide you with the tools you need to be successful in the areas of life that matter most to you.

Kiewit is an equal-opportunity employer, and we believe a diverse workforce is vital to the success of our business. We continue our efforts to attract, develop and retain employees from all backgrounds who are passionate about our industry.

We are committed to veteran and military hiring and will consider relevant military experience as equivalent to qualification requirements.