Preconstruction Manager

RockBridge Search & Recruitment; Draper (UT); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Bonus opportunities

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) match

Paid time off

Professional development

Leadership growth

Team culture

Utah construction projects

Job summary

RockBridge Search & Recruitment is seeking a Preconstruction Manager in Utah to lead the complete preconstruction process from budgeting to handoff for major commercial projects. The role emphasizes strategy, collaboration with owners, architects, and engineers, and driving value engineering to optimize cost and quality.

The ideal candidate will have 8+ years in commercial construction estimating or preconstruction, leadership in a preconstruction/estimating team, and strong software proficiency

Qualifications

• 8+ years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience.
• Leadership experience within a preconstruction or estimating department.
• Strong knowledge of conceptual estimating, budgeting, scheduling, and value engineering.
• Experience managing negotiated and design-build projects.
• Ability to interpret complex drawings and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction efforts from conceptual budgeting through final project handoff.
• Develop detailed conceptual and hard bid estimates.
• Analyze plans, specifications, and project requirements for risk and opportunity.
• Coordinate with owners, architects, engineers, and consultants throughout project development.
• Lead value engineering initiatives that maximize quality while optimizing cost.
• Manage subcontractor outreach, bid solicitation, and proposal evaluations.
• Negotiate scopes, pricing, and procurement strategies.
• Prepare budgets, schedules, cash flow projections, and project logistics plans.
• Identify project risks early and develop creative solutions before they become costly issues.
• Present estimates, budgets, and recommendations to executive leadership and clients.
• Work closely with Project Managers and Operations to ensure seamless project transitions.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with subcontractors, vendors, developers, and design professionals.
• Mentor estimating and preconstruction staff while helping strengthen department processes.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical skills

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Bluebeam

Procore

Microsoft Office

Estimating software

Job description

Blueprints tell part of the story. Vision writes the rest.

We're searching for a Preconstruction Manager who thrives where strategy meets execution. Someone who can see a project long before the first shovel hits the ground, transforming ideas into detailed plans, budgets into opportunities, and concepts into successful builds. If you enjoy solving complex puzzles, collaborating with exceptional teams, and influencing projects from day one, this is your chance to leave your mark on some of Utah's most exciting construction projects.

This isn't just another estimating position. This is your opportunity to become the driving force behind successful projects, building confidence with clients while setting operations up for flawless execution.

What You'll Do

As our Preconstruction Manager, you'll lead every aspect of the preconstruction process, ensuring each project launches with clarity, precision, and momentum.

You'll:

• Lead preconstruction efforts from conceptual budgeting through final project handoff.
• Develop detailed conceptual and hard bid estimates.
• Analyze plans, specifications, and project requirements for risk and opportunity.
• Coordinate with owners, architects, engineers, and consultants throughout project development.
• Lead value engineering initiatives that maximize quality while optimizing cost.
• Manage subcontractor outreach, bid solicitation, and proposal evaluations.
• Negotiate scopes, pricing, and procurement strategies.
• Prepare budgets, schedules, cash flow projections, and project logistics plans.
• Identify project risks early and develop creative solutions before they become costly issues.
• Present estimates, budgets, and recommendations to executive leadership and clients.
• Work closely with Project Managers and Operations to ensure seamless project transitions.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with subcontractors, vendors, developers, and design professionals.
• Mentor estimating and preconstruction staff while helping strengthen department processes.

What You Bring

You're equal parts strategist, communicator, negotiator, and builder.

Ideal candidates will have:

• 8+ years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience.
• Previous leadership experience within a preconstruction or estimating department.
• Strong knowledge of conceptual estimating, budgeting, scheduling, and value engineering.
• Experience managing negotiated and design-build projects.
• Ability to interpret complex drawings and specifications.
• Excellent understanding of construction methods, materials, and project sequencing.
• Strong financial acumen with exceptional analytical skills.
• Outstanding communication and presentation abilities.
• Experience working directly with owners, architects, and development teams.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam, Procore, Microsoft Office Suite, and estimating software.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.

Why You'll Love It Here

This role offers more than a competitive salary. You'll help shape landmark projects before construction even begins, collaborate with an experienced leadership team, and have a genuine voice in strategic decisions that drive company growth.

• Competitive salary of $130,000 - $170,000
• Performance bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous Paid Time Off and paid holidays
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Leadership growth opportunities
• Collaborative, team-first culture
• Exciting commercial construction projects throughout Utah
• Stability with a respected and growing contractor

The Bottom Line

Great construction doesn't begin with concrete. It begins with planning, foresight, and leadership.

If you're passionate about building projects before they're built, love collaborating with high-performing teams, and want to play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional commercial construction projects, we'd love to connect with you.

Build the vision. Shape the strategy. Deliver excellence from day one.