Preconstruction Manager

McFarland Construction U.S

Raleigh (NC)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 160,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

Employer HSA contribution

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Competitive pay

401(k) plan with company match

Life & AD&D insurance

Short‑/Long‑Term Disability

PTO after first pay cycle

Referral bonus program

Charitable contribution matching

Job summary

McFarland Construction, a leading commercial contractor, seeks an experienced Preconstruction Manager to lead cost estimation, bid analysis and procurement in a design/build environment. The role requires collaboration with owners, joint ventures, trade partners and municipalities to drive accurate budgets and successful proposals.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in commercial construction, a related bachelor’s degree, and strong leadership in preconstruction activities, with travel as needed

Qualifications

Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Proven experience in preconstruction management and cost estimation.
Strong ability to engage owners, joint venture partners, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Review plans, specs and contracts to develop comprehensive cost estimates for commercial projects.
Lead bid analysis, procurement planning and cost forecasting.
Coordinate with owners, trade partners and Operations to align scope and costs.
Develop bid schedules and manage post‑bid interviews with stakeholders.
Maintain estimating databases and cost libraries for accuracy.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering or related field

Tools

MS Office

Estimating software

Job description

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NOW HIRING: Preconstruction Manager - Commercial Construction — Design/Build

EXPERIENCE: 8+ Years Commercial Construction

MARKETS: Mission Critical, Financial, Health, Energy & More

About McFarland Construction

McFarland Construction is a full-service commercial construction firm specializing in general contracting, design/build, and construction management services. We deliver high-quality projects across a wide range of markets, including Financial Services, Health Sciences, Energy, Mission Critical, and the Public Sector.

Founded in 2010, McFarland has grown to become the largest African American-owned general contractor in the Carolinas. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, with regional offices in Raleigh, NC and Indianapolis, IN, we continue to expand our footprint and impact throughout the Southeast and Midwest.

We're proud to be ranked #18 Largest General Contractor in Charlotte, #3 Fastest-Growing Private Company in the region, and among the Top General Contractors in the Southeast.

If you're looking for your next career move and want to be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking, and fast-growing company, McFarland Construction is the place for you. Join us and help shape the future of construction.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Preconstruction Manager with a strong background in commercial construction and public sector procurement. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in conceptual and cost estimation, bid analysis, and preconstruction management, particularly within a commercial and municipality construction environment. This role requires a collaborative, partnering approach to engage directly with owners, joint venture partners, trade partners, public municipalities and project stakeholders. The Preconstruction Manager will lead the preconstruction phase of a project from inception through turnover to Operations, ensuring accurate project cost forecasting, and procurement schedule development, and strategies to drive project success.

Key Responsibilities

Review project plans, specifications, and contracts to develop comprehensive and accurate cost estimates for commercial construction projects, and CM@R (construction manager at risk) progressive cost estimates.
Cost estimates/models will be created at each design milestone with periodic support provided to the design team between milestones to assist with key design element decisions.
Analyze historical data, market trends, and industry standards to ensure precise pricing and cost projections.
Prepare quantity takeoffs, cost breakdowns for labor, materials, and equipment, using real-time input and unit rates from trade partner relationships and provide detailed estimates to support decision‑making.
Demonstrated ability to independently develop conceptual and detailed cost estimates consistent with Estimator III-level complexity, deployed flexibly to support budget deadlines across multiple pursuits and to provide core business estimating coverage during gaps between CMAR cycles.
Solicit and evaluate bids from trade partners and suppliers to secure competitive pricing and ensure quality standards are met.
Lead collaborative discussions with project owners, joint venture partners, and key stakeholders to align expectations, scope, and costs with bid package scopes produced in conjunction with the Operations team.
Develop and maintain bid schedule and deliverables in conjunction with County Board review and approval durations associated with CmaR pursuits.
Prepare bid package scope checklist and/or bid tabs in preparation of leading post‑bid interviews.
Collaborative Approach with Owners & Joint Ventures:
- Act as a trusted partner with project owners, joint venture teams, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment throughout the preconstruction phase.
- Facilitate clear communication and provide detailed, transparent cost breakdowns to stakeholders in presentation format – design development estimates, GMP packages, etc, ensuring everyone has a shared understanding of project budgets and goals.
- Foster strong relationships with project owners and joint venture partners to promote effective teamwork, shared success, and transparency.
- Lead pre‑bid meetings, facilitate site visits, and conduct client presentations to provide expertise and build trust with project stakeholders.
Identify and evaluate potential risks and value enhancement opportunities in project proposals, offering creative solutions to mitigate risks.
Work closely with project managers and senior leadership to monitor project scope, schedule and budget during the preconstruction phase to ensure project goals are met.
Provide detailed justifications to support cost breakdowns and ensure favorable terms and conditions.
Database & Record Management:
- Maintain and regularly update estimating databases, cost libraries, and unit price records to ensure accurate and up‑to‑date project cost tracking.
- Organize and track all estimating documents for future reference, ensuring they are easily accessible to the team.
Scheduling & Procurement:
- Conduct constructability analysis to ensure project designs are feasible and achievable within budget and timeline constraints.
- Review project schedules for logic and sequencing feasibility, providing feedback to the scheduling lead and incorporating current market conditions and trade partner input gathered during budgeting efforts.
- Assist with procurement planning to ensure materials, labor, and equipment are sourced efficiently and on time.
Trade Partner Relationships:
- Develop new relationships with local trade partners and supply houses and maintain existing relationships.
- Update and maintain trade partner bid list database for different regions serviced by the Raleigh office.
- Schedule, conduct and assist with trade partner outreach sessions.
Project Procurement:
- Attend interview meetings with project teams to secure new work.
- Assist marketing with slides associated with Precon services and deliverables.
- Assist Operation team in developing front end documents for CmaR pursuits.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field (preferred).
A minimum of eight (8) years extensive experience in preconstruction management and estimating, specifically in commercial construction.
Proven experience working directly with owners, joint ventures, and project stakeholders to collaboratively manage preconstruction activities.
Minimum of two (2) years of public sector/CMAR (Construction Manager at Risk) preconstruction experience with a General Contractor required.
Strong understanding of commercial construction processes, cost estimation, and bidding strategies.
Proficiency in construction estimating software and the MS Office Suite.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and align multiple stakeholders.
Ability to identify risks and cost‑saving opportunities in project proposals.
Strong problem‑solving abilities with an ability to think strategically and adapt to changing project needs.
Familiarity with joint venture partnerships and contract structures.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple preconstruction tasks simultaneously while ensuring high levels of accuracy and quality.
Ability to travel to project sites and client meetings as necessary.
A proactive, collaborative team player with a focus on building long‑term partnerships.
Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment while maintaining attention to detail and organization.

We're looking for someone who requires minimal training and can step in to immediately run projects with confidence.

Why McFarland Construction

At McFarland, you are not just managing projects, you are leading them with real ownership, visibility, and impact. We offer a strong, competitive benefits package designed to support you and your family at every stage of life.