Preconstruction Manager

RDM Recruiting; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, a well-established real estate development and construction firm, is seeking a Preconstruction Manager to own preconstruction on large, complex projects, some $80M-$100M and up. You’ll own real scope from day one and have input on design and investment decisions, not just follow directions.

You’ll manage preconstruction from concept through design development, lead budgets and cost planning, coordinate with architects and engineers, and build a real-time preconstruction pipeline.

Qualifications

• Degree in a construction-related field or equivalent experience.
• Strong background in estimating, budgeting, and preconstruction management.
• Experience owning 1-2 projects and driving decisions across teams.

Responsibilities

• Own preconstruction efforts from concept through design development, including budgets and cost planning.
• Coordinate and review design documents across all design phases and conduct constructability reviews.
• Work 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.
• Lead value engineering and design reviews throughout the process.
• Partner with construction and leadership through hand-off to field.

Skills

Construction estimating

Preconstruction management

Budgeting

Design coordination

Spreadsheet modeling

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management

Tools

Excel

Cost estimation tools

Job description

Our client, a well-established, vertically integrated real estate development and construction firm with a significant multifamily and mixed-use portfolio, is looking for a Preconstruction Manager to own preconstruction on large, complex projects, some running $80M-$100M and up.

Whether you're an experienced Preconstruction Manager or a strong Estimator or Preconstruction Engineer ready to take the next step into ownership, we want to hear from you. This isn't a step-up-and-wait role. You'll own real scope from day one, join weekly design calls immediately, and have real input on design and investment decisions, not sit on the sidelines waiting for direction.

This is a high-impact, highly respected role reporting directly to the VP of Preconstruction, with real visibility across development, design, finance, and construction leadership. Over time, as you grow into the position, this role may include leading 1-2 team members.

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

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're more interested in the quality and complexity of what you've owned than years of tenure. Strong, focused experience matters more than a long resume. Comfort with multifamily projects is a big plus, but we're open to strong candidates from third-party GCs, subcontractor precon/estimating backgrounds ready to make the jump to full-scope complexity, or owner's rep/development-side construction roles.

What You Bring

• Strong background in construction estimating, budgeting, and preconstruction management
• Comfortable owning 1-2 projects independently, with the confidence to jump in rather than wait for direction
• Strong with spreadsheets, multi-tab models, and reporting; able to think several steps ahead about what design, cost, and investment questions will come next
• Comfortable working with designers, developers, and cross-functional teams; able to hold your ground and drive outcomes without being difficult to work with
• Experience with multiple projects across different markets is a plus, but not required
• Land development knowledge is a plus, not required
• Degree in a construction-related field (construction management, civil/mechanical engineering, architecture) or equivalent experience

Why This Role

• Ownership at scale: manage the entire preconstruction effort on major projects and see your decisions built in the field
• Influence: preconstruction here is well respected, with real input on design, development, and investment decisions
• Growth: genuine examples of internal promotion into higher-level leadership roles, not just lateral moves

Compensation

• Base salary in the $115K-$145K range, depending on experience and fit
• Full participation in KPI-based bonuses (company, departmental, and individual performance)