Preconstruction Manager

Crain Construction, Inc.; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Crain Construction, Inc. in Nashville is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager to lead estimating efforts from concept through handoff to operations.

This role emphasizes front-end strategy, client collaboration, and driving project outcomes—not just pricing, with opportunities across hospitality, senior living, data centers, and industrial projects. You will develop conceptual budgets, analyze plans, collaborate with design teams, and mentor junior estimators while ensuring accuracy

Qualifications

• 5+ years in preconstruction or estimating for commercial GC projects.
• Strong ability to read drawings, scopes, and pricing strategy.
• Experience with early design phases and collaboration with clients.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual budgets from early design with limited information.
• Collaborate with clients and design teams for value and constructability input.
• Analyze plans, specs, and site conditions to produce detailed estimates.
• Lead coordination of trade partners and suppliers in preconstruction.
• Evaluate subcontractor proposals to ensure complete scope coverage.
• Partner with operations on schedules, logistics, and staffing plans.
• Participate in client meetings and presentations to support pursuits.
• Support post-award tasks including contract review and change pricing.
• Build and maintain relationships across clients, design teams, and trade partners.
• Identify risks early and drive solutions for project success.

Skills

Preconstruction

Estimating

Client collaboration

Communication skills

Design phase experience

Tools

Bluebeam

OST

Sage/Timberline

Job description

Shape projects before they break ground.

Crain Construction is hiring an experienced Preconstruction Manager to lead estimating efforts and help guide projects from early concept through handoff to operations. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys front-end strategy, client collaboration, and influencing project outcomes—not just pricing them.

What You’ll Do

• Develop conceptual budgets from early design with limited information
• Collaborate with clients and design teams to provide value and constructability input
• Analyze plans, specifications, and site conditions to produce detailed estimates
• Lead coordination of trade partners and suppliers throughout preconstruction
• Evaluate subcontractor proposals to ensure complete and accurate scope coverage
• Partner with operations on schedules, logistics, and staffing plans
• Participate in client meetings and presentations to support project pursuits
• Support project teams post-award, including contract review and change pricing
• Build and maintain strong relationships across clients, design teams, and trade partners
• Identify risks early and help drive solutions that support project success

What You Bring

• 5+ years in preconstruction, estimating, or PM (commercial GC)
• Strong understanding of drawings, scopes, and pricing strategy
• Experience working in early design phases
• Excellent communication + relationship-building skills
• Experience with Bluebeam, OST, (Sage/Timberline preferred)

Why Crain?

• 90+ year Nashville commercial contractor
• Collaborative, no-ego team environment
• High level of autonomy and trust
• Projects across commercial construction including hospitality, senior living, data centers/communication, and industrial