Preconstruction Manager

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) match

Paid vacation

Company holidays

Housing discounts

Job summary

Vivmark Residential is seeking a Preconstruction Manager to lead cost estimating, value engineering, and constructability analysis for a regional multifamily development portfolio. You will partner with Development, Design, Capital Projects, and Construction teams to drive data-driven cost decisions.

This role offers exposure to major projects, collaboration across disciplines, and opportunities to influence investment strategy while ensuring builds stay on scope and budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of construction estimating, preconstruction, or related experience.
• Strong understanding of building systems, construction methods, site development costs, and constructability principles.
• Experience producing detailed cost estimates across multiple stages of design.
• Proficiency with estimating and takeoff tools such as Bluebeam, PlanSwift, STACK, Autodesk Takeoff, On-Screen Takeoff, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage estimates across conceptual to construction document stages.
• Produce Pursuit, Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 estimates with market awareness.
• Lead value engineering efforts across design phases to optimize cost.
• Perform project-level cost analyses and constructability reviews to inform decisions.
• Collaborate with Development, Design, Capital Projects, and Construction teams to ensure plan coordination and constructability.
• Support bid analysis, procurement and buyout decisions with cost data.

Skills

Construction estimating

Cost analysis

Preconstruction

Estimating software

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management/Architecture/Engineering

Tools

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

STACK

Autodesk Takeoff

On-Screen Takeoff

Job description

Overview

Vivmark Residential exists to set the mark for what home can be. Formed through the merger of AvalonBay Communities and Equity Residential, Vivmark brings together two industry leaders with a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and delivering exceptional living experiences. Our vision is to be the most trusted and best-performing rental housing company in America - one that continues to get better as it grows. And we're looking for people who want to help us do it.

Position Type

Full time

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

State

Virginia

City

Arlington

Zip Code

22203

Total Base Pay Range

$107,600.00 - $179,400.00

Overview

Vivmark Residential exists to set the mark for what home can be. Formed through the merger of AvalonBay Communities and Equity Residential, Vivmark brings together two industry leaders with a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and delivering exceptional living experiences. Our vision is to be the most trusted and best-performing rental housing company in America - one that continues to get better as it grows. And we're looking for people who want to help us do it.

As an owner, developer, and manager of more than 180,000 apartment homes in major markets across the US, we have the scale to offer something most companies can't. At Vivmark, team members move up and across functions, markets, and disciplines, building lasting careers. We invest in team members’ growth, development, and capabilities that make them and us better, and we hold ourselves to the highest standard as an employer.

The best people want to work here. We hope you're one of them.

The Role

At Vivmark Residential, we develop communities that create long-term value for our residents, associates, and investors. We're seeking a Preconstruction Manager to play a critical role in shaping the success of our development pipeline by leading cost estimating, value engineering, and constructability analysis from project pursuit through completion.

This is an opportunity for an experienced construction professional to influence major multifamily development projects, partner with senior leaders across Development, Design, Capital Projects, and Construction, and help drive informed investment decisions through data-driven cost analysis and market expertise.

What You'll Do

As a Preconstruction Manager, you'll manage a regional portfolio of development projects and serve as the primary estimating resource throughout the preconstruction process.

Key Responsibilities Include

Lead Project Estimating

• Develop and manage conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction document estimates for multifamily development projects.
• Produce Pursuit, Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 estimates with a high degree of accuracy and market awareness.
• Maintain cost benchmarks and leverage historical data to support forecasting and decision-making.

Drive Value Engineering & Cost Optimization

• Lead value engineering efforts throughout all phases of design.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, and bid documents to identify cost drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Present recommendations and cost impacts to project teams and senior leadership.

Support Development Decisions

• Perform project-level cost analyses and constructability reviews that inform investment decisions and development pro formas.
• Identify and elevate key issues that could impact project feasibility, schedule, or budget.

Collaborate Across Functions

• Partner closely with Development, Design, Capital Projects, and Construction teams to ensure plans are complete, coordinated, and constructable.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on cost, scope, and construction strategy throughout the design process.

Manage Trade Partner Bidding & Buyout Support

• Support trade contractor procurement efforts through bid analysis and proposal evaluation.
• Assist project teams in making informed buyout decisions and negotiating cost-effective solutions.

Improve Future Project Performance

• Conduct post-construction cost reviews and lessons learned analyses.
• Capture and share findings that improve future estimating accuracy and project outcomes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of preconstruction processes, tools, and best practices.

Required Qualifications

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of construction estimating, preconstruction, or related experience.
• Strong understanding of building systems, construction methods, site development costs, and constructability principles.
• Experience producing detailed cost estimates across multiple stages of design.
• Proficiency with estimating and takeoff tools such as Bluebeam, PlanSwift, STACK, Autodesk Takeoff, On-Screen Takeoff, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Multifamily construction experience.
• Experience supporting development, investment, or owner-side construction organizations.
• Exposure to value engineering, vendor management, and trade partner procurement activities.

What Will Make You Successful

You are someone who:

• Combines technical estimating expertise with strong business judgment.
• Understands how cost impacts design, schedule, quality, and investment performance.
• Can translate complex estimating data into actionable recommendations.
• Builds strong partnerships across multiple stakeholders and disciplines.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with multiple concurrent projects.

Why Vivmark Residential

At Vivmark, you'll have the opportunity to work on some of the industry's most significant multifamily development projects while collaborating with talented professionals across development, design, construction, and operations. Your expertise will directly influence project strategy, investment decisions, and long-term portfolio performance.

Working Conditions

This role operates in a professional office environment with periodic travel to regional offices and active construction sites as needed to support assigned projects.

How Vivmark Supports You

We know that our teams are the beating heart of our success and we’re committed to showing our appreciation.

We Offer

• A competitive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with company match, paid vacation and company holidays, and exclusive team member housing discounts.

Additional Info

Vivmark Residential is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We believe that in order to achieve our purpose of creating a better way to live, we must recruit, develop and retain associates with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and create an environment that encourages all voices to be heard, understood and appreciated. With this we know we can do great things.

Vivmark Residential makes employment decisions without regard to a person’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including characteristics or testing), citizenship status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by the law.

Vivmark Residential will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with requirements under the law.

Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis.