Preconstruction Manager

Sun Recruiting, Inc.; Lawrence (KS); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sun Recruiting, Inc. seeks a Preconstruction Manager to lead the estimating function, develop budgets, and guide projects from award to GMP approval. You will coordinate with design partners and clients to ensure feasible budgets and schedules.

Responsibilities include directing value engineering, managing procurement for long-lead items, and turning preconstruction plans into actionable directives for operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or Business).
• 7–10 years of experience in estimating, preconstruction, or project management.
• Strong understanding of Design-Build, CMAR, and negotiated delivery methods.
• Experience preparing detailed construction cost estimates and GMP proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead client-facing meetings and present budget and schedule information.
• Proficiency with construction software such as Procore and Bluebeam.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating team to produce accurate cost estimates across all design phases.
• Manage project budgets from contract execution through GMP development.
• Establish milestone pricing schedules and oversee budget reviews at design milestones.
• Direct value engineering exercises with owners, consultants, and design teams.
• Develop and maintain project-specific preconstruction schedules from award through groundbreaking.
• Coordinate design team activities and lead constructability reviews.
• Manage GMP development and owner presentation process for budget/schedule approval.
• Confirm readiness for construction mobilization and turnover to Operations.
• Coordinate with Contracts Coordinator to execute owner contracts using standard terms.
• Review and respond to redlines; escalate non-standard risk to the Director of BD & Procurement.
• Initiate subcontractor prequalification and develop bid strategy.
• Coordinate procurement planning for long-lead materials and key trades.
• Recommend subcontractor selections at GMP and ensure transfer of procurement plans to project team.
• Provide day-to-day leadership of the estimating team and capacity planning.
• Serve as primary contact for owners and design partners during preconstruction.
• Lead client-facing budget presentations at milestones and GMP reviews.
• Communicate updates and schedule impacts clearly to all stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Procurement

Client communication

Team management

Design-Build

CMAR

Procore

Bluebeam

Scheduling

Education

Construction Management

Engineering

Architecture

Business Administration

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

MS Project

Primavera

Job description

Primary Accountabilities

The Preconstruction Manager leads and manages the preconstruction phase of projects, ensuring accurate estimating, strategic procurement coordination, and successful project planning prior to construction start. This role serves as the single point of accountability for awarded projects from contract execution through groundbreaking.

This role collaborates closely with the Market Lead, Director of Business Development & Procurement, estimating team, contracts coordinator, design partners, and clients to develop budgets, schedules, and value-driven solutions aligned with company standards.

The Preconstruction Manager provides day-to-day leadership of the estimating function, coordinating workload allocation, project priorities, and resource planning to ensure all preconstruction deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.

Major Responsibilities

Estimating & Budget Management:

• Lead the estimating team in producing accurate, complete cost estimates across all design phases.
• Manage project budgets from contract execution through GMP development, ensuring alignment with owner expectations.
• Establish milestone pricing schedules and oversee budget reviews at key design milestones.
• Direct value engineering exercises with owners, consultants, and design teams to maintain project feasibility.

Preconstruction Planning & Scheduling:

• Develop and maintain project-specific preconstruction schedules from award through groundbreaking.
• Coordinate design team activities and lead constructability reviews throughout the design process.
• Manage the GMP development and owner presentation process, securing approval of the final budget and schedule.
• Confirm project readiness for construction mobilization and facilitate a complete turnover to Operations.

Contract Administration:

• Coordinate with the Contracts Coordinator to execute owner contracts using company templates and standard terms.
• Make project-level contract decisions within established company guardrails, including retainage, allowances, and contingency levels.
• Review and respond to owner and attorney redlines; escalate non-standard risk positions to the Director of BD & Procurement.
• Confirm financing commitment letters, bonding status, and insurance coverage at project award.

Procurement Coordination:

• Initiate subcontractor prequalification for key early trades following contract execution.
• Develop bid strategy, manage subcontractor engagement, and oversee bid list development throughout design.
• Coordinate procurement planning for long-lead materials and critical trades.
• Recommend subcontractor selection at GMP and ensure procurement strategies are transferred to the project team.

Team Leadership & Collaboration:

• Provide day-to-day leadership of the estimating team, including workload allocation, capacity planning, and priority setting.
• Coordinate across estimating, design, procurement, and operations teams to ensure seamless project delivery.
• Conduct turnover meetings with Operations, Project Management, and Field Leadership at the close of preconstruction.
• Monitor project risks and recommend mitigation strategies throughout the preconstruction phase.

Client & Stakeholder Communication:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for owners and design partners throughout the preconstruction phase.
• Lead client-facing budget presentations at design milestones and during the GMP approval process.
• Ensure project updates, budget changes, and schedule impacts are communicated clearly and promptly to all stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, or related field.
• 7–10 years of experience in estimating, preconstruction, or project management.
• Strong understanding of Design-Build, CMAR, and negotiated delivery methods.
• Experience preparing detailed construction cost estimates and GMP proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead client-facing meetings and present budget and schedule information to owners.
• Proficiency with construction software such as Procore and Bluebeam.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit, use hands to type, handle documents, and operate standard office equipment.
• Frequently required to talk, hear, and communicate in person and via telephone or video.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and lift up to 15 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus for prolonged computer use.

Work Environment

• Professional, deadline-oriented work environment.
• Combination of office, virtual meeting, and construction project site settings.
• Occasional travel to project sites, client meetings, and industry-related events may be required.