Preconstruction Lead: Budgets, Value Engineering & Clients

Contegra Construction Co; Edwardsville (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonuses

Health and dental insurance

401(k) plan

ESOP participation

Monthly vehicle allowance

Paid time off

Job summary

Contegra Construction Co is seeking an experienced Construction Preconstruction Manager in Edwardsville, IL to lead planning, estimating, budgeting, and client collaboration for complex commercial, industrial, manufacturing, distribution, and design-build projects.

You will advise clients and project teams, transforming concepts into successful projects through thoughtful planning, accurate estimating, value engineering, and strategic collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of estimating, preconstruction, or PM experience in commercial construction.
• Experience with commercial, industrial, manufacturing, distribution, or design-build projects.
• Strong understanding of estimating, budgeting, conceptual pricing, and cost management.
• Experience leading value engineering and constructability reviews.
• Ability to interpret architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings and specifications.
• Design-build experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction efforts from conceptual budgeting through final GMP and project turnover.
• Develop detailed cost estimates, budgets, quantity takeoffs, and pricing strategies.
• Collaborate with owners, architects, engineers, and design teams throughout project development.
• Lead value engineering and constructability reviews to maximize project value while maintaining quality and schedule.
• Coordinate subcontractor and supplier pricing, qualifications, and scope development.
• Prepare proposals, bid packages, presentations, and preconstruction deliverables.
• Evaluate drawings, specifications, and project documents to identify risks and opportunities early.
• Develop preliminary schedules, logistics plans, and phasing strategies with project teams.
• Partner closely with Project Managers and Superintendents to ensure a smooth transition from preconstruction to construction.
• Build strong relationships with clients, design partners, and trade contractors throughout the preconstruction process.
• Support business development efforts by participating in client meetings, interviews, and project pursuits.
• Mentor estimating and preconstruction team members while continuously improving department processes.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Client relationship building

Communication

Negotiation

Leadership

Education

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

Tools

Bluebeam

Microsoft Office

Estimating software

CM software

Job description

Contegra Construction Co is seeking an experienced Construction Preconstruction Manager in Edwardsville, IL to lead planning, estimating, budgeting, and client collaboration for complex commercial, industrial, manufacturing, distribution, and design-build projects.

You will advise clients and project teams, transforming concepts into successful projects through thoughtful planning, accurate estimating, value engineering, and strategic collaboration.