Preconstruction Manager

Embark Recruiting Solutions; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Embark Recruiting Solutions| client is a leading general contracting company in Columbus, OH seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager for multifamily residential projects, including market-rate and luxury apartments, and mixed-use developments.

The role involves partnering with developers, owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors to develop accurate budgets, schedules, and constructability analyses. Strong estimating, value engineering, and procurement experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or construction project management with a general contracting company.
• Demonstrated experience with multifamily construction projects (apartments, podium, mixed-use).
• Strong understanding of estimating, budgeting, scheduling, and cost management.
• Experience reviewing drawings, specs, subcontractor proposals, and scopes.
• Knowledge of multifamily construction methods, building systems, materials, sequencing.
• Experience with subcontractor procurement, bid leveling, scope development, and value engineering.
• Proficiency with construction estimating, scheduling, and project management software.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to budget changes.

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction for multifamily residential projects from concept to construction start.
• Collaborate to establish budgets, schedules, and construction strategies.
• Prepare conceptual, schematic, and detailed construction estimates.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, cash flows, and cost-control strategies.
• Review drawings for constructability, scope gaps, and cost savings.
• Perform value engineering analyses and propose cost-effective alternatives.
• Develop preliminary and detailed construction schedules (design milestones to sequencing).
• Coordinate subcontractor and supplier solicitation, bid packages, and buyout.
• Evaluate subcontractor proposals, confirm scope, and negotiate terms.
• Analyze site conditions, utilities, zoning, and development costs.
• Evaluate building systems, materials, and finishes for efficiencies.
• Review specs and design details for codes and accessibility compliance.
• Identify long-lead items and procurement strategies.
• Monitor budget changes and communicate cost impacts to stakeholders.
• Prepare preconstruction reports, estimates, schedules, and owner presentations.
• Identify project risks and mitigation strategies (cost, schedule, design, procurement).
• Coordinate transition from preconstruction to project management and field operations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with developers, owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers.

Skills

Preconstruction management

Multifamily construction

Estimating

Budgeting

Scheduling

Value engineering

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Tools

Estimating software

CAD/BIM

Job description

Our client, a leading general contracting construction company located in Columbus OH, is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager with multifamily construction experience to lead preconstruction planning and estimating for multifamily residential projects, including market-rate apartments, luxury apartments, mixed-use developments, and other multifamily communities.

The Preconstruction Manager will work closely with developers, owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and internal project teams to develop accurate budgets, establish schedules, evaluate constructability, and identify cost-saving opportunities throughout the design and planning process. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of multifamily construction methods, estimating, value engineering, subcontractor procurement, and project feasibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all preconstruction activities for multifamily residential projects from initial concept through construction commencement.
• Collaborate with owners, developers, architects, engineers, and design consultants to establish project budgets, schedules, and construction strategies.
• Prepare conceptual estimates, schematic design estimates, design development budgets, and detailed construction estimates.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, cost analyses, cash flow projections, and cost-control strategies.
• Review architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other construction documents to identify constructability concerns, scope gaps, and potential cost savings.
• Perform value engineering analyses and recommend cost-effective alternatives without compromising quality, design intent, or project performance.
• Develop preliminary and detailed construction schedules, including design milestones, permitting, procurement, and construction sequencing.
• Coordinate subcontractor and supplier solicitation, bid packages, scope reviews, bid leveling, and buyout strategies.
• Evaluate subcontractor proposals, confirm scope coverage, and negotiate competitive pricing and contract terms.
• Analyze site conditions, utility requirements, zoning considerations, and other factors affecting project feasibility and development costs.
• Evaluate multifamily building systems, construction types, materials, and finishes to identify opportunities for cost and schedule efficiencies.
• Review project specifications and design details for compliance with applicable building codes, accessibility requirements, and other regulatory standards.
• Identify long-lead materials and equipment and develop procurement strategies to minimize schedule delays.
• Monitor design development and budget changes, communicating cost impacts and recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Prepare preconstruction reports, estimates, schedules, and presentations for owners and executive leadership.
• Identify potential project risks and develop mitigation strategies related to cost, schedule, design, procurement, and constructability.
• Coordinate the transition from preconstruction to project management and field operations, ensuring budgets, schedules, scopes, and project assumptions are clearly documented.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with developers, owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or construction project management with a general contracting company.
• Demonstrated experience with multifamily construction projects, including apartment communities, podium construction, wood-frame residential buildings, or mixed-use developments.
• Strong understanding of construction estimating, budgeting, scheduling, and cost management.
• Experience reviewing construction drawings, specifications, subcontractor proposals, and detailed project scopes.
• Knowledge of multifamily construction methods, building systems, materials, and sequencing.
• Experience with subcontractor procurement, bid leveling, scope development, and value engineering.
• Proficiency with construction estimating, scheduling, and project management software.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing design and budget requirements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with owners, design teams, subcontractors, and internal construction personnel.