Preconstruction Manager

Tri-City Group; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Tri-City Group is seeking a Preconstruction Manager to oversee projects across the Midwest, aligning Estimating, Operations, and Procurement. You will identify risk, validate scope, support estimate development, and ensure a seamless handoff to the project team.

Main duties include leading preconstruction planning, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and coordination with CST, clients, and trade partners to ensure successful project turnover and kickoff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in estimating, preconstruction, or project management, with extensive electrical construction experience.
• Experience with large-scale electrical projects is preferred.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts and negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction activities from RFP through project turnover.
• Create and manage preconstruction schedules, deliverables, and milestones.
• Facilitate communication between CST, clients, GCs, and trade partners.
• Ensure document control platforms and communication systems are established and maintained.
• Support estimating team in development of budgets and bid packages.
• Identify and evaluate risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Review schedules for constructability and feasibility; support phasing and logistics.
• Coordinate with procurement on long-lead equipment and vendor strategy.
• Lead preconstruction-to-operations handoff and kickoff meetings.
• Support early-stage execution planning and project reviews.

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Risk management

Electrical construction

Scheduling

Contract negotiation

Client communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or related field

Job description

Tri-City Group is seeking a Preconstruction Manager to join the team overseeing projects throughout the Midwest region. The Preconstruction Manager leads the planning, coordination, and risk management of projects from initial pursuit through transition to operations. This role ensures alignment between Estimating, Operations, and Procurement teams. This position is responsible for identifying risk, validating scope, supporting estimate development, and ensuring a seamless handoff to the project team.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Preconstruction Planning & Coordination

• Lead preconstruction activities from RFP through project turnover
• Create and manage preconstruction schedules, deliverables, and milestones
• Facilitate communication between CST, clients, GCs, and trade partners
• Ensure all document control platforms and communication systems are established and maintained

Estimating Support & Budget Development

• Support estimating team in development of conceptual, ROM, and final budgets
• Assist in development of bid packages and subcontractor/vendor outreach
• Utilize Experience and historical data to create inform pricing strategy

Risk Management

• Lead development and maintenance of project risk register
• Identify and evaluate risks such as: Design gaps/scope conflicts, Labor/Productivity constraints,Procurement and supply chain challenges,Schedule feasibility and trade stacking,Contract and commercial risks (LDs, billing terms, change management)
• Develop mitigation strategies and ensure risks are communicated and documented

Schedule & Constructability Analysis

• Review and validate project schedules for constructability and feasibility
• Support development of phasing plans, logistics strategies, and installation approaches

Procurement & Logistics Strategy

• Coordinate with procurement team on long-lead equipment and vendor strategy
• Evaluate material lead times, storage requirements, and delivery constraints
• Assist in developing equipment and rental strategies aligned with schedule and manpower

Contract & Scope Review

• Review RFP, IFP, and IFC documents for scope completeness and risk exposure
• Support RFI development and response tracking
• Assist in reconciliation between bid and issued construction documents

Project Turnover & Kickoff

• Lead preconstruction-to-operations handoff process
• Facilitate project kickoff meetings with PMO, field, and support teams
  

Execution Planning Support

• Assist project teams in early-stage execution planning, including:
  • Staffing plans
  • 30-60-90-day Project Team milestones
  • QA/QC and commissioning strategy
  • Billing projections and cash flow considerations
• Support alignment of client expectations with project execution strategy

Project Feedback & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in project reviews and performance tracking
• Analyze estimate vs actual performance (labor, productivity, cost)
• Capture and distribute lessons learned across the organization
• Support continuous improvement of preconstruction processes, tools, and standards

Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving
• Risk Identification and Mitigation
• Strong Estimating Knowledge (Electrical Construction)
• Schedule and Constructability Awareness
• Contract and Commercial Understanding
• Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration
• Communication (Internal and Client-Facing)
• Process Development and Continuous Improvement
• Organization and Document Control
• Procurement and Market Awareness

This position's work environment is On-site, remote, or hybrid. Travel to specific project sites will be required. Travel is minimal, primarily to meet key clients or attend critical onsite meetings.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, or related field experience
• 10+ years in estimating, preconstruction, or project management, with extensive electrical construction experience
• Experience with large-scale electrical projects is preferred.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts and negotiation

All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a drug screen and reference check. Tri-City Group is an equal opportunity employer.

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