Preconstruction Lead - Building

Kiewit; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Kiewit Industrial & Water Engineering seeks a Preconstruction Lead to oversee building estimates and provide preconstruction services for civil, structural, and architectural systems on various industrial projects. Based in Lenexa, KS, this role coordinates with design teams, leads estimators, and develops procurement strategies to support early decision-making.

The candidate will manage risk analysis, cost control, and client-facing presentations, mentoring staff and ensuring complete

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in a construction-related field with estimating focus.
• 15+ years of senior experience in estimating, preconstruction, project management, or trade partner management.
• Strong background in design-phase coordination, budgeting, and value engineering.
• Experience with multiple delivery models (DBB, DB, DA, EPC, CMAR, IPD).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experienced with estimating software; open to learning InEight.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preconstruction phase in alignment with client goals, design intent, budget, and schedule.
• Coordinate with clients, architects, engineers, and consultants to define scope and deliverables.
• Review plans/specifications to establish project understanding and build strategy.
• Develop and manage preconstruction schedules and milestones.
• Prepare budgets and estimates across design stages; analyze drawings for gaps and risks.
• Solicit and level bids, provide value engineering options and benchmark costs.
• Lead design reviews to assess constructability and materials.
• Manage procurement strategy and division of responsibilities.
• Mentor estimating and project engineering staff.

Skills

Leadership of cross-functional teams

Estimating strategy development

Risk analysis

Client-facing presentations

Budgeting and cost control

Education

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

Tools

InEight

Primavera P6

Bluebeam

OST

Microsoft Office/Estimating software

Job description

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Home District/Group:Kiewit Industrial & Water Engineering

Employment Type:Full Time

Position Overview

A Preconstruction Lead oversees various classes of building estimates and provides preconstruction services for the civil, structural, and architectural systems of small to mid-sized projects or a portion of a large project. Markets include power, industrial, and heavy commercial projects. Duties will include, but are not limited to, coordination with project leadership, leading a team of estimators, interfacing with engineering and design teams, preparing and implementing procurement strategies, formulating a division of work plan, trade partner outreach and relationship building, analyzing drawing and specifications for constructability and risk, reviewing quotes and proposals, presentation of estimates and strategies to senior leadership and clients, and other duties as required to provide preconstruction services for through various stages of design.

District Overview

Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc. is a full-service engineering consulting and design firm serving a broad range of industrial markets. With more than 1,300 engineers and design professionals across all major engineering disciplines, we support the industrial, transportation, power, water/wastewater, mining, building, and oil, gas & chemical markets.

Our operations-focused engineering approach integrates over 130 years of construction expertise to deliver safe, efficient facilities — finishing projects on schedule and ensuring that Nobody Gets Hurt.

The Industrial & Water Engineering team includes process, mechanical, electrical, controls, structural, architectural, geotechnical, and civil disciplines. We specialize in EPC and design-build delivery for industrial projects in markets including:

• Datacenters
• Mineral Processing
• Renewable Fuels
• Pulp & Paper

Location

This position is based in Lenexa, Kansas. Opportunities for flexible work are available.

Responsabilities

• Lead the preconstruction phase, ensuring alignment with client goals, design intent, budget, and schedule.
• Collaborate with clients, architects, engineers, and consultants to define scope and deliverables.
• Review plans and specifications to establish project understanding and build strategy.
• Develop and manage preconstruction schedules and key milestones.
• Prepare budgets and estimates at all design stages. Analyze drawings to identify gaps and risks.
• Solicit, review, and level trade partner bids. Provide value engineering options and benchmark costs.
• Participate in design reviews to assess constructability, materials, and systems.
• Recommend alternative methods and sequencing.
• Coordinate with design teams to resolve discrepancies and integrate construction insights.
• Develop procurement strategy, bid packages, and division of responsibilities.
• Manage trade partner outreach, prequalification, and selection.
• Support scope development and contract negotiations.
• Identify and mitigate budget, schedule, logistics, and design risks.
• Maintain accurate cost tracking and reporting.
• Prepare and present budget updates, cost studies, and risk assessments.
• Serve as primary preconstruction contact supporting procurement strategy.
• Lead coordination meetings and maintain clear communication.
• Communicate critical issues and estimate assumptions.
• Present estimates and proposals to senior management and clients.
• Mentor estimating and project engineering staff.
• Ensure complete documentation for transition to construction.
• Support kickoff meetings, early buyout, and mobilization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field; continued training in estimating and project planning preferred.
• 15+ years of senior experience in estimating, preconstruction, project management, or trade partner management, with proven results on industrial and heavy commercial projects.
• Strong background in design‑phase coordination, budgeting, and value engineering.
• Broad experience with multiple delivery models (DBB, DB, DA, EPC, CMAR, IPD).
• Deep knowledge of construction methods, building systems, materials, and market pricing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experienced with estimating software and open to learning InEight.
• Skilled with Primavera P6, Bluebeam, and OST.
• Solid understanding of building codes, design standards, and sustainable construction.
• Able to perform detailed quantity takeoffs and cost analyses.
• Demonstrated leadership of cross‑functional teams and ability to manage multiple pursuits under tight deadlines.
• Strong communication, organization, and decision‑making skills.
• Ethical, detail‑oriented, results‑driven, and committed to mentoring and collaboration.
• Excellent client‑facing abilities, including proposals, budget presentations, negotiations, and relationship‑building with owners, architects, and trade partners.
• CPE or PMP preferred; OSHA 30‑Hour a plus. #LI-TJ1

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 fulltime 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.