Pre-Construction Project Manager

Abbott PM; Kentucky; On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading workforce staffing company in Kentucky is seeking a Pre-Construction Project Manager to oversee all pre-construction phases, ensuring accurate budgeting and scheduling. Ideal candidates should have 5-10 years of construction experience, including pre-construction leadership, strong skills in cost estimating, and proficiency with estimating software. This role involves leading teams, collaborating with clients, and ensuring projects are set for successful execution. Join at a time of growth and impactful project management.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of construction industry experience.
• 3+ years in estimating or pre-construction leadership role preferred.
• Experience delivering negotiated and/or GMP projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-construction process from pursuit through handoff to operations.
• Develop and manage pre-construction schedules and deliverables.
• Serve as the primary pre-construction point of contact for clients.

Skills

Cost estimating

Budgeting skills

Construction means and methods

Communication skills

Analytical abilities

Multi-project management

Tools

Estimating software (e.g., Sage, Procore, Bluebeam)

Job description

Abbott is a highly respected leader in workforce staffing and project management, with over 50 years of experience serving public and private clients. With proven expertise and a broad talent network, Abbott is equipped to support even the most technically complex and time-sensitive projects worldwide.

WHY JOIN US

It’s an exciting time to be at Abbott! We’re experiencing rapid growth across the U.S. and are focused on ensuring our clients and employees feel connected to our purpose every day. At the heart of our mission is collaboration, driven by the integration of people, processes, and data. As a global firm with team members around the world, we foster meaningful partnerships that create lasting value. We’re looking for energetic, passionate, and driven professionals to join us. There’s never been a better time to be part of Abbott!

Position Summary

The Pre-Construction Project Manager is responsible for leading and managing all activities during the pre-construction phase of projects, from initial concept through contract execution. This role ensures accurate budgeting, scheduling, constructability review, risk mitigation, and coordination among internal teams, clients, design professionals, and trade partners. The Pre-Construction Project Manager plays a critical role in setting projects up for successful execution by delivering well-defined scopes, realistic schedules, and comprehensive cost plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-construction process from pursuit through handoff to operations.
• Develop and manage pre-construction schedules and deliverables.
• Establish clear project objectives, scope, milestones, and assumptions.
• Facilitate alignment between client expectations and project requirements.
• Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, and GMP estimates.
• Conduct quantity take-offs and pricing analysis.
• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and supplier bids.
• Identify value engineering opportunities and cost-saving strategies.
• Maintain cost history database and benchmarking data.
• Review drawings and specifications for completeness and constructability.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, and internal teams.
• Identify design gaps, scope overlaps, and risk exposures.
• Provide constructability input to improve efficiency and reduce risk.

4. Schedule Development

• Develop preliminary and detailed project schedules.
• Collaborate with operations to validate durations and sequencing.
• Identify long-lead items and procurement strategies.
• Identify and evaluate project risks during pre-construction.
• Develop mitigation strategies for cost, schedule, and design risks.
• Ensure clear scope definition and exclusions in proposals.

6. Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary pre-construction point of contact for clients.
• Lead pre-construction meetings and presentations.
• Provide transparent cost updates and design feedback.
• Support business development efforts and proposal preparation.
• Develop subcontractor prequalification lists.
• Identify bid packaging strategies.
• Evaluate market conditions and labor/material trends.

8. Handoff to Operations

• Lead internal turnover meetings.
• Ensure complete documentation of scope, assumptions, risks, and budget.
• Support operations during early construction phase as needed.

Qualifications

Experience

• 5–10+ years of construction industry experience.
• 3+ years in estimating or pre-construction leadership role preferred.
• Experience delivering negotiated and/or GMP projects.
• Strong cost estimating and budgeting skills.
• Proficiency in estimating software (e.g., Sage, Procore, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, etc.).
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods.
• Ability to read and interpret construction documents.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.