Preconstruction Manager

RDM Recruiting; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, a well-established real estate development and construction company, seeks a Preconstruction Manager to lead early-stage project development on large, complex real estate developments. This high-impact role reports to the VP of Preconstruction with 1-2 direct reports.

You will own preconstruction efforts from concept through design development, conduct constructability reviews, and coordinate with development teams on site selection, estimates, and scope.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in construction-related field.
• Experience estimating and budgeting for large projects.
• Ability to lead early-stage design development and preconstruction activities.

Responsibilities

• Own preconstruction efforts from concept through design development, including budgets and cost planning.
• Coordinate and review design documents across all design phases; conduct constructability reviews at key milestones.
• Collaborate with development teams on site selection, cost estimates, and project scope.
• Manage outside consultants: architects, engineers, environmental, geo-technical, civil.
• Build and maintain a preconstruction pipeline tracker with real-time visibility across active pursuits.
• Lead value engineering and design reviews throughout the process.
• Partner with construction and leadership through hand-off, maintaining continuity from precon into the field.
• Mentor and develop junior team members.

Skills

Construction estimating

Budgeting

Preconstruction management

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree in construction-related field

Job description

Our client, a well-established real estate development and construction company, is looking for a Preconstruction Manager to lead early-stage project development on large, complex real estate developments. This is a high-impact role reporting directly to the VP of Preconstruction, with 1-2 direct reports (precon engineers / assistant precon managers)

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What You’ll Do

• Own preconstruction efforts from concept through design development, including conceptual budgets, estimates, and cost planning
• Coordinate and review design documents across all design phases; conduct constructability reviews at key milestones (SD, DD, 100% CDs)
• Work closely with development teams on site selection, cost estimates, and project scope
• Manage outside consultants: architects, engineers, environmental, geo-technical, civil
• Build and maintain a preconstruction pipeline tracker with real-time visibility across active pursuits
• Lead value engineering and design reviews throughout the process
• Partner with construction and leadership through hand-off, maintaining continuity from precon into the field
• Mentor and develop junior team members

What This Role Is (and Isn’t)

• This is primarily an estimating and preconstruction role, focused on the earliest phases of project life. Formal bidding is a smaller piece of the job — if it’s not your favorite part, that’s fine.
• Construction management experience is a plus, not a requirement. What matters more is your ability to work across design, development, and internal teams and drive decisions.
• We care more about the scale and complexity of what you’ve built than the specific asset class. Experience on major hotel developments, large multi-phase master plans, or other big, complex projects is a strong fit. Multifamily-specific experience is a bonus we can build on, not a must-have.

What You Bring

• Strong background in construction estimating, budgeting, and preconstruction management
• Experience managing multiple projects across different geographic markets simultaneously
• Track record bringing preconstruction efforts in on schedule and on budget
• Comfortable working with designers, developers, and cross-functional teams; able to hold your ground and drive outcomes without being difficult to work with
• Land development knowledge is a plus, not required
• Degree in a construction-related field (construction management, civil/mechanical engineering, architecture) or equivalent experience