Preconstruction Manager

DEW Construction; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

DEW Construction seeks a Preconstruction Manager to lead the estimation process for assigned projects. You will motivate and coach the internal team, manage client-facing activities, and ensure high-quality, innovative solutions tailored to client needs. Occasional travel is required.

The role emphasizes delivering preconstruction services from award to GMP and construction start, coordinating with estimators, project managers, and suppliers to maximize value and maintain schedule integrity.

Qualifications

• 4-year engineering/CM degree or equivalent.
• 10+ years of commercial construction experience preferred.
• Experience as PM/Project Engineer or in Pre-construction is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction meetings and record minutes.
• Coordinate multiple projects concurrently.
• Develop client-focused preconstruction strategies.
• Maintain preconstruction workflows and RACI matrices.
• Interface with clients to determine project needs.
• Collaborate with estimators on RFIs and bid approaches.
• Assist in buyout and transition to contracts.

Skills

Leadership

Preconstruction

Estimating

Scheduling

Risk management

Client communication

Procore

Subcontractor relations

Value engineering

Education

4-year engineering/CM degree

Tools

Timberline

On-Screen Take-off

Building Connected

Procore

Job description

We are looking for a Preconstruction Manager to join our team. This position will be primarily responsible for performing all management and leadership responsibilities and functions associated with the preconstruction and estimation process for assigned preconstruction projects. Responsibilities include motivating, coaching, and managing the entire team and DEW’s internal team. Occasional travel is required.

Deliver preconstruction projects as assigned. Maintain and expedite preconstruction practices and services for all teams on projects assigned. This position has an overall responsibility to deliver preconstruction services to clients from the time we are awarded a project until a GMP is signed, and construction starts.

This position is “client-facing” and responsible for customer satisfaction, with the goal of developing new business opportunities and providing our clients with high-quality, innovative solutions that are tailored to meet their needs.

DEW’s Vision, Mission, And Core Values

• Vision Statement: To be the go-to construction partner known for our unwavering commitment to the success of every project.
• Mission Statement: To build a team of professionals who share our core values and foster a culture where everyone can thrive and grow together.
• Core Values:
  • Optimism: We share a positive mindset, believing in opportunities over obstacles.
  • Initiative: We are self-motivated, proactive problem solvers.
  • Accountability: We are committed to a culture of ownership, personal accountability, and safety.

DEW’s Vision, Mission, and Core Values are explicitly integrated into our daily decision-making, leadership behaviors, employee training, performance evaluations, and company culture. We use them as a guiding principle for all activities and hold employees accountable for upholding them, essentially making them a tangible part of the company's identity and operations. Our aim is to ensure we are aware of these guiding principles and feel motivated and encouraged to continue integrating them into our daily lives.

Essential Functions

• Attend Business Development Turnover Meetings to understand the terms and information gathered before the project award.
• Set up, facilitate and distribute minutes from the Preconstruction kick off meeting (internal meeting).
• Work on multiple projects at the same time.
• Prepare a job-specific strategy to maximize the client's value. Reviews the strategy with the VP of Preconstruction.
• Follow and advance DEW’s “Preconstruction Flow Chart” (a DEW-generated best practice workflow template)
• Follow and advance DEW’s preconstruction RACI Matrix (“RACI” = A list of general activities at each phase of design and then corresponding positions within DEW. Each activity has marked who is responsible for the task, who is accountable for performing the task, who is consulted if required, and who is ultimately informed)
• Attend and lead preconstruction OAC meetings, take minutes, and work with DEW’s Project Administrators to distribute minutes via Procore promptly
• Maintain and develop new subcontractor resources and relationships
• Work with Project Managers during the transition from pricing to contracts. Assist in buyout efforts as required.
• Create an initial working schedule for projects (and/or work with the assigned DEW Project Manager to create), then periodically update the schedule, which is then required to be used to keep the project on schedule.
• Interface with clients to determine project needs and their needs, and represent DEW positively during interface.
• Work with estimators to generate preconstruction RFI’s leveraging Procore
• Review all project documents for compliance with budget, company/client standards, and constructability. Monitor design scope for changes affecting budget and/or schedule (leverage overlays); identify the cause, advise client for client decision.
• Quickly understands the complete project scope by reviewing plans independently.
• Investigate site conditions before bidding.
• Work closely with the Owners and Design Team to understand all aspects of the project, including the owners' goals, limitations, deadlines, expectations, etc., and clearly document each. Communicate this document to the Director of Estimating, lead estimator, and Project Managers, with internal responsibilities defined.
• Identifies project risk early and develops a strategy to manage risk. Elevates risk to Director of Estimating before any estimates are published to clients.
• Attention to detail is critical, ability to identify errors by the estimating/project management team with prompt corrective action plan.
• Investigates, helps develop, and/or leads value engineering options
• Review all pricing, identify/fill scope gaps, answer questions, etc., with the estimating team in advance of Executive Reviews.
• Provides technical support to estimators as needed.
• Anticipates client questions/concerns/risks and leads presentations to clients.
• Assists estimating with bid solicitation with the local subcontractors, suppliers, and trade groups and will help generate interest in the project
• Assist estimators and PM’s with detailed instructions to bidders and bid forms
• Estimators are responsible for the Scope of Work clarifications (A&C’s) section of DEW’s Cost Management reports (aka “the book”). The Precon Manager is responsible for all other content included in the report, in addition to ensuring the final Scope of Work clarification aligns with the overall client delivery / sales strategy.
• Works with VP of Preconstruction through prime contract negotiation efforts
• Assist in post-bid and scope review meetings
• Maintains skills for software tools and technology utilized
• Participates in project hand-off meetings; attends strategic meetings with suppliers and subs (as needed)
• Reviews preconstruction contract strategy. Manages and maintains budgets through preconstruction. Reports to VP of Precon with periodic budgets updates and develops strategy to recover costs to minimize cost overrun.
• Communicates and reinforces the Company vision, values, and goals
• Performs additional assignments per supervisor’s direction

Expected Outcomes

• Coordinates with internal departments and works to establish deadlines (internal and external), checks in with the VP of Precon frequently, and supports/meets all deadlines.
• Identify a project's high-risk features. Develop a plan to minimize/eliminate risk. Review the plan with Management for approval.
• Understand products anticipated and their lead time.
• Steady delivery and confidence under elevated work pressures/demands.
• Supports the delivery of the estimate with Scope of Work assumptions and qualifications to Management and/or Owners. Examples are reasons for price change, schedules, risk management, Value Management ideas, etc.
• Takes ownership of process and outcome and is personally accountable for preconstruction success.

Essential Skills And Experience

• 4-year Engineering/Construction Management/Architecture degree or equivalent combinations of technical training and/or related experience
• 10+ years of commercial construction experience or equivalent combinations of related experience
• Previous experience as PM, Project Engineer, or in Pre-construction for a commercial construction company or architectural/engineering firm
• Background in commercial building construction estimating is a plus
• Experience in utilizing a variety of contract delivery systems
• CPM conceptual scheduling skills / understanding
• Familiar with projects of varying size; $100,000 to $75+MM
• Experience with estimating software is preferred: Timberline, On-Screen Take-off, Building Connected, Procore, etc.
• Extensive knowledge of corporate construction procedures, estimating techniques, all engineering disciplines, cost control systems, and QA/QC.
• Advanced math and computer skills
• Excellent and timely communication skills, both oral and written

If you are interested in being part of an innovative and collaborative team, in a challenging and rewarding work environment, we want to hear from you! We are always trying to stay a step ahead of emerging trends in the industry. Every employee is part of the process and part of our success. DEW's philosophy is to invest in people and inspire them to bring the best of themselves to work every day. In addition to offering competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package, employees are given opportunities to learn, develop and grow. These are the reasons DEW is named among the top places to work in New Hampshire and Vermont.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.