Preconstruction Manager

Shawmut Design and Construction; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

401K with match

Paid time off

Cell phone

Laptop

Pet insurance

Financial planning services

Job summary

Shawmut Design and Construction, in Columbia, MD, is seeking a senior preconstruction professional to bring hands-on field experience into early lifecycle decisions. You will influence strategy, pursuits, and outcomes before ground breaks, partnering with operations and leadership on early-phase planning.

You’ll lead conceptual estimating, GMP development, and pursuit strategy while advising on risk, sequencing, constructability, and logistics.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years in construction management, ideally blending project management and preconstruction experiences.
• Bachelor’s degree required (or equivalent experience).
• Proven success managing large, complex pursuits and bids.
• Expertise in scheduling, phasing, logistics planning, and preconstruction processes.
• Experience across diverse project types and geographies (national experience preferred).
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with clients and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Partnering with Operations and Leadership on early-phase planning.
• Leading conceptual estimating, GMP development, and pursuit strategy.
• Advising on risk, sequencing, constructability, and logistics.
• Acting as a thought partner — not a heads-down estimator.
• Helping position First Finish to win and execute complex work.

Skills

Scheduling

Phasing

Logistics planning

Preconstruction processes

Communication

Client relationship-building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

First Finish, a premier full-service hotel renovation contractor is now part of the Shawmut family! As a 100% employee-owned company, we are committed to our people, client service, execution, and safety. Here’s a glimpse into what we are offering:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - be an employee owner!
• 401K with Match - receive company match up to 4% of your eligible pay.
• Paid time off
• The Extras: cell phone, laptop, pet insurance, financial planning services and many more.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a construction professional to become our Precon Manager, someone that can bring real project experience earlier into the lifecycle — someone who has lived in the field or runs complex work and now wants to influence strategy, pursuits, and outcomes before ground breaks.

What You’ll Actually Be Doing

• Partnering with Operations and Leadership on early-phase planning
• Leading conceptual estimating, GMP development, and pursuit strategy
• Advising on risk, sequencing, constructability, and logistics
• Acting as a thought partner — not a heads-down estimator
• Helping position First Finish to win and execute complex work

Who Tends to Thrive Here

• Senior Project Managers or Project Executives ready for a strategic pivot
• Estimators who want more influence and visibility
• Design-Build or TI leaders who enjoy early problem-solving
• Professionals who like thinking critically, collaborating, and mentoring

You do not need to come in as a fully formed “preconstruction purist.”We value strong project instincts and the ability to think holistically.

Qualifications

• Experience: 10–15 years in construction management, ideally blending project management and preconstruction experience.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required (or equivalent experience).
• Skills:
  • Proven success managing large, complex pursuits.
  • Expertise in scheduling, phasing, logistics planning, and preconstruction processes.
  • Experience across diverse project types and geographies (national experience preferred).
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills with clients and internal teams.

EEO Information

First Finish prohibits discrimination against any staff member or applicant on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, disability, creed, citizenship status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Salary Range Information

Columbia Base Salary Range: $165,000 - $190,000 The range stated is specific to Columbia, Maryland. Placement within the listed range depends on many factors including, but not limited to years of experience, project size capability (for Construction & Field roles) and internal company equity.