Preconstruction Manager

Walbridge; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Walbridge is seeking a Preconstruction Manager to lead preconstruction activities from pursuit to turnover, delivering accurate estimates and robust planning. You will collaborate with estimating, operations, design management and clients to create competitive solutions and identify risks for strategic decisions.

The role involves pursuing bids, reviewing cost models, and guiding value engineering with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture or related field.
• Five+ years in estimating, preconstruction, or construction leadership roles.
• Knowledge of means and methods, estimating principles, contracts, risk management.
• Ability to lead pursuits, influence stakeholders and drive outcomes.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Mentor estimators and preconstruction team members.
• Lead efforts from project pursuit through turnover, including estimating, budgeting, planning and risk management.
• Develop and review conceptual to final cost estimates for accuracy and alignment.
• Support bid strategy, subcontractor engagement and proposal development.
• Collaborate with owners, architects, engineers and internal teams on scope and cost.
• Identify risks and opportunities; develop value engineering solutions.
• Present estimates and recommendations to clients and leadership.
• Maintain cost models, benchmarking data and best practices.

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Leadership

Risk management

Communication

Budgeting

Cost analysis

Project lifecycle

Stakeholder management

Value engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, Architecture

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Estimating software

Job description

Overview

The Opportunity

As a Preconstruction Manager, you will lead preconstruction activities from project pursuit through turnover to operations, helping to deliver accurate estimates, comprehensive planning, and successful project outcomes. You will collaborate closely with estimating, operations, design management, procurement, and clients to develop competitive solutions, identify risks, and support strategic decision‑making throughout the project lifecycle.

You will serve as a key contributor to pursuit teams, helping to drive project success through thorough planning, cost analysis, value engineering, and stakeholder alignment.

Location

You will work from our Enterprise Headquarters in Detroit, MI, or one of our regional offices in Kalamazoo, MI, Pittsburgh, PA, or Charlotte, NC.

Responsibilities

Your Key Responsibilities

• Mentor and support estimators and preconstruction team members.
• Lead preconstruction efforts from project pursuit through turnover, including estimating, budgeting, planning, and risk management.
• Develop and review conceptual through final cost estimates to ensure accuracy and alignment with project goals.
• Support bid strategy, subcontractor engagement, and proposal development for project pursuits.
• Collaborate with owners, architects, engineers, and internal teams to evaluate scope, schedule, constructability, and cost.
• Identify project risks and opportunities and develop value engineering solutions to optimise project outcomes.
• Present estimates, pricing strategies, and project recommendations to clients and leadership.
• Maintain cost models, benchmarking data, and estimating best practices.

Qualifications

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field required; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Five plus years of progressive experience in estimating, preconstruction, or related construction leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of construction means and methods, estimating principles, procurement strategy, contracts, and risk management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex pursuits, influence stakeholders, and support successful project outcomes.
• Strong communication, leadership, organisational, and decision‑making skills.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Experience with CM at Risk, Design‑Build, and negotiated delivery methods.
• Experience leading large, complex pursuits with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with estimating systems, Microsoft Excel, and enterprise construction platforms.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively with clients, leadership, and project teams.
• A process improvement mindset and commitment to standardisation, quality, and continuous improvement.