Preconstruction Manager

Actalent; Ardmore (PA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Preconstruction Manager in Ardmore, PA to lead preconstruction activities from pursuit through turnover. You will develop budgets, schedules, and GMP estimates while aligning with clients, design teams, and subcontractors.

The ideal candidate has deep estimating, budgeting, and client-facing experience in commercial construction, including design-build and GMP delivery methods. This onsite role requires strong collaboration with operations and project teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent industry experience.
• Extensive experience in commercial construction, including preconstruction and estimating.
• Experience with multi-family and other commercial project types is beneficial.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple pursuits and deadlines simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate preconstruction efforts from concept through contract award.
• Develop estimates for conceptual, schematic, design development, and GMP projects.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, owners, and consultants to align scope, budget, and schedule.
• Manage project budgets and provide cost guidance as designs evolve.
• Prepare detailed quantity takeoffs and cost analyses.

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Client-facing

Budgeting

Pricing

Education

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

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Excel (cost modeling)

Job description

Job Title: Preconstruction Manager

The Preconstruction Manager leads all preconstruction activities from initial project pursuit through turnover to operations. This role partners closely with clients, design teams, subcontractors, and internal project teams to develop accurate budgets, schedules, value engineering solutions, and risk assessments that position commercial construction projects for successful execution. The position is ideal for a professional with strong estimating, budgeting, and client-facing experience and a thorough understanding of project planning and delivery in the commercial construction sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate preconstruction efforts for commercial construction projects from conceptual stage through contract award.
• Develop conceptual, schematic, design development, and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) estimates for a variety of commercial projects.
• Collaborate closely with architects, engineers, owners, and consultants throughout the design process to align scope, budget, and schedule.
• Manage project budgets and provide ongoing cost guidance as designs evolve to ensure alignment with client goals and financial targets.
• Facilitate preconstruction meetings and present estimates, schedules, value engineering options, and recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Prepare detailed quantity takeoffs and comprehensive cost analyses for all major building systems and trades.
• Solicit, receive, and evaluate subcontractor and supplier pricing to ensure completeness, competitiveness, and alignment with project scope.
• Analyze market conditions, labor trends, and material costs to support competitive pricing and informed decision-making.
• Develop, update, and maintain conceptual estimating databases and historical cost information to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and value engineering options that maintain quality while optimizing project budgets.
• Assist in developing preliminary project schedules and phasing plans that align with client requirements and operational constraints.
• Evaluate project logistics, site constraints, procurement strategies, and long-lead materials to support efficient project execution.
• Coordinate with operations teams to ensure alignment on project execution plans, means and methods, and resource requirements.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies to support reliable cost and schedule outcomes.
• Review drawings, specifications, and contract documents for constructability concerns and provide feedback to design and project teams.
• Support contract negotiations and scope clarification efforts to ensure clear, complete, and coordinated agreements.
• Document project assumptions, qualifications, and exclusions clearly and thoroughly for use in proposals and project handoff.
• Participate in client meetings, project interviews, and proposal presentations to support business development and project pursuits.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with owners, architects, engineers, and trade partners to support repeat and negotiated work.
• Support pursuit strategies, including pricing strategies and proposal development, to help secure new work opportunities.
• Collaborate with leadership on market intelligence, backlog analysis, and pipeline forecasting to inform strategic planning.
• Lead project handoff meetings with operations teams to ensure a smooth transition from preconstruction to execution.
• Ensure complete transfer of estimate data, subcontractor information, schedules, assumptions, value engineering options, and identified project risks to project teams.
• Support project teams during startup and procurement phases by clarifying scope, pricing, and preconstruction decisions as needed.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of experience in commercial construction, including significant involvement in preconstruction, estimating, or project management.
• 7+ years of experience specifically in commercial construction estimating, preconstruction, or project management roles.
• Strong experience in commercial construction projects, including experience with sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, industrial, higher education, or corporate facilities.
• Proficiency in construction estimating, including detailed quantity takeoffs and cost analysis for building systems and trades.
• Hands‑on experience with preconstruction processes, including budgeting, value engineering, risk assessment, and project planning.
• Experience with negotiated work, design‑build delivery, and GMP project delivery methods.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods and their impact on cost, schedule, and constructability.
• Proficiency with estimating software and bid management platforms used for construction estimating and procurement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including strong skills in Microsoft Excel for cost modeling and analysis.
• Knowledge of scheduling software such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project for developing and reviewing preliminary schedules.
• Experience in construction management and project management within commercial construction environments.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work from blueprints, drawings, and specifications.
• Experience with procurement processes, bidding, and subcontractor and supplier engagement.
• Strong communication, presentation, and client‑facing skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.
• Ability to analyze market conditions, labor trends, and material costs to support competitive and accurate pricing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience with multi‑family and other commercial project types is beneficial.
• Experience with construction supervision and coordination of field operations is a plus.
• Familiarity with request for proposal (RFP) processes and proposal development for commercial construction projects.
• Experience working on industrial, healthcare, life sciences, higher education, or corporate projects provides added value.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple pursuits and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams, including design, operations, and business development.
• Comfort working with various construction and estimating technologies, including industry‑standard software platforms.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Ardmore, PA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $145000.00 - $180000.00/yr.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Ardmore,PA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.