Preconstruction Manager

Alston Construction; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) and retirement benefits

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Alston Construction in Dallas, TX is seeking a seasoned Preconstruction Manager to lead the estimating and bid phases, coordinate with design professionals, and help convert opportunities into profitable projects. You will oversee cost analysis, value engineering, bid packages, and supplier/subcontractor coordination, while supporting business development and risk management.

Candidates should have a degree in CM/Engineering/Architecture and at least 8 years of estimating experience with

Qualifications

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field is required.
• Minimum of 8 years estimating experience on conceptual and hard bid projects.
• Design‑build and various delivery methods experience preferred.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills; ability to read drawings and specs.

Responsibilities

• Estimate costs across design to construction phases with accuracy.
• Lead bid packages and coordinate with subcontractors.
• Develop scopes of work and perform value engineering.
• Assist with business development and client presentations.
• Maintain records of estimates and cost data for proposals.
• Review subcontracts for compliance and manage risk.

Skills

Estimating costs

Cost analysis

Negotiation skills

Reading drawings

Project scheduling

Proposal development

Client relationship building

Communication

Risk management

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field

Tools

Phoenix

Word

Excel

Outlook

CMiC

On Screen Takeoff

Bluebeam

DESTINI Estimator

Job description

About Alston Construction

Alston Construction Company is a nationwide general contractor with more than 20 offices coast to coast. For 40 years, we have been a true partner, honest advisor, and responsible contractor for our clients. Success depends on a strong builder‑client relationship and commitment to common goals from the project start. We offer diverse experience in general contracting, construction management, and design‑build for industrial, commercial, healthcare, education, retail, and government projects.

We look for passionate construction professionals who share our core values of commitment, integrity, teamwork, and respect. As our CEO, Paul Little, says: "In order to be successful at Alston Construction, you must enjoy seeing success in others." If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

Position

Title: Preconstruction Manager

Office: Dallas, TX

Benefits

Our top‑tier benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, prescription safety glasses, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, life insurance/AD&D, HSA, health FSA, dependent daycare FSA, EAP, 401(k), Roth 401(k), after‑tax Roth in‑plan conversion; paid vacation and sick time; paid holidays; tuition reimbursement; Tickets at Work; paid Identity Theft Protection (family coverage); and more.

Job Summary

Responsible for assisting management in the daily general business operations of the company by supervising, coordinating, and ensuring the successful completion of the preconstruction phase of projects. The Preconstruction Manager also assists with business development, aiming to provide thorough, accurate, and competitive proposals that result in profitable project awards.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Use discretion and independent judgment to perform daily duties and resolve issues, minimizing risk to the company.

Estimating

• Provide thorough, accurate, and competitive cost estimates through all phases of design, from concept to construction and permit documents.
• Identify value‑engineered alternatives relating to construction methods, materials, schedule, and design.
• Determine proposal specifications and scope of work by reviewing drawings, attending and/or managing bid and preconstruction meetings.
• Analyze and document cost analysis from historical projects, purchase orders, contracts, and cost reports to incorporate into estimates.
• Provide design assistance and cost data regarding project feasibility to the client, design professionals, and project team.
• Prepare bid packages and lead coordination on bid solicitation and RFPs.
• Develop scopes of work for sub‑trades prior to and during bid solicitation.
• Perform takeoffs of multiple trades to minimize cost risks.
• Analyze proposals from subcontractors for cost, scope, and completeness to determine award.
• Identify and qualify new subcontractors to ensure an adequate number of qualified and financially sound subcontractors.
• Negotiate price with clients and qualified subcontractors.
• Prepare preliminary project schedules during the preconstruction phase and assist the Superintendent with the contracted schedule before construction.
• Organize and lead the transition of the project cost estimate to the Project Manager.
• Assist the Project Manager with pricing and negotiating owner and subcontractor change orders.
• Maintain detailed records of working documents as backup for estimate figures, including assumptions for conceptual designs.
• Update and maintain subcontractor and design consultant database.

Sales

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with prospective and current clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the company’s services to identify applicable new clients and projects.
• Identify new work opportunities and advise VP/GM and/or SVP/RM of potential projects with existing and new clients and lead or participate in pursuing project leads.
• Conduct or participate in presentations to clients.
• Maintain a detailed pipeline of clients and projects in Prophet, including status of opportunities and analysis/reasons for wins or losses.

Other

• Provide assistance and evaluations to Risk Management and the VP/GM and/or SVP/RM regarding potential contract, cost, construction feasibility, and insurance risks.
• Review subcontracts, prior to issuance to the subcontractor, for compliance with the documents and estimate.
• Manage design team through the development of permit documents.
• Make recommendations for ways to improve business operations (including processes, procedures, and best practices) to increase client satisfaction, improve efficiency, and improve profitability.

• Participate in applicable corporate meetings and forums.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Safety

• Comply with all safety policies, report suspected safety concerns, recommend enhancements to the safety program, and visibly support and uphold the company’s strong safety culture.
• Remain current in all company‑required safety training and certifications.
• Acknowledge and celebrate safe behaviors and actions of others.

Personal

• Understand and work within the accepted ethical standards of the company.
• Proactively support and encourage diversity on projects and team; visibly support and promote fair and equal treatment and opportunity for all.
• Remain current in all company‑required training and certifications.
• Stay abreast of changes in the industry, best practices, and other industry information (including changes/trends in methods of construction and materials, construction costs, skilled construction labor and material availability and/or shortages, wage rates, fringes, working rules, and construction software and technology).
• Continuously find ways to take on challenges, increase skills and capacity, and improve knowledge and performance.

Education, Experience, And Licensing/Certifications

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience successfully estimating (conceptual and hard bid) construction projects for a general contractor.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Design‑build experience on relevant project types.
• Experience in value engineering.
• Valid state‑issued driver’s license and vehicle insurance meeting Alston Construction liability coverage requirements and satisfactory driving record.
• OSHA 10‑hour certification.
• First Aid/CPR certification.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Required

• Ability to estimate costs associated with technical tasks and thorough knowledge of estimating techniques, cost control systems, and accounts.
• Thorough understanding of multiple project delivery types, including Design‑Build, CM at Risk, CM not at Risk, General Contractor (hard bid and negotiated), etc.
• Thorough understanding of multiple contract delivery methods, including lump sum, guaranteed maximum price (GMP), cost‑plus, etc.
• Strong industry contact relationships and the ability to identify and secure profitable new business.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
• Ability to maximize profitability and successfully balance the needs and expectations of the client while maintaining the firm’s standards and reputation and mitigating risks.
• Ability to exercise initiative and to work well with discretion and sound independent judgment with minimal supervision, as well as in a team environment.
• Thorough understanding of job task sequencing/critical timeline scheduling.
• Ability to read and understand drawings, specifications, maps, surveys, mechanical and electrical sheets, project schedules, cost reports, and other construction documents; understanding of contract provisions which address scope of work and design criteria.
• Understanding of all local, state, federal and company safety and environmental regulations, codes, and requirements related to the construction industry; ability to impart knowledge to others.
• Good knowledge of all sub‑trades and their relationship and impact on each other.
• Creative problem‑solver; willing to try several approaches when initial solution fails.
• Excellent skills in organization, time management, planning, and prioritization.
• Proactive and readily adaptable to changing conditions or demands and ability to work well under pressure and with tight deadlines.
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal) and presentation skills.
• Professional demeanor and effective interpersonal skills; ability to successfully interface with and maintain good working relationships with clients, co‑workers, managers, subcontractors, vendors, and others.
• Ability to effectively handle stress and stressful situations.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in computers, Phoenix, Word, Excel, and Outlook, CMiC, estimating takeoff software (e.g., On Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, etc.), and cost estimating software (e.g., DESTINI Estimator).
• Willingness and ability to travel.

The role requires flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.