Preconstruction Manager

McFarland Construction U.S.; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

Employer HSA contribution

Employee Assistance Program

Competitive pay

401(k) Plan with company match

Life & AD&D insurance

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

PTO

Flexible benefits

Referral bonus

Charitable matching

Job summary

McFarland Construction U.S. is seeking a seasoned Preconstruction Manager to lead cost estimation, bid analysis, and procurement for commercial design/build projects.

Based in Raleigh with regional offices, you will partner with owners, joint ventures, and trade partners to develop accurate budgets and aggressive schedules, from inception through turnover.

The role requires strong knowledge of CMAR, constructability reviews, and a collaborative mindset to drive winning bids and project success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field (preferred).
• Minimum 8 years in preconstruction/estimating in commercial construction.
• Experience with CMAR/public sector projects is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Review plans, specs, and contracts to develop cost estimates for commercial projects.
• Lead bid analysis and procurement planning with trade partners.
• Coordinate with owners, JV partners, and operations to align scope and costs.
• Maintain estimating databases and cost libraries.

Skills

Cost estimation

Bid analysis

Preconstruction management

Stakeholder collaboration

Trade partner relations

Procurement planning

Constructability analysis

Estimating software

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management/Engineering

Tools

Estimating software

MS Office

Job description

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

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.

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.

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage options (PPO & HSA plans)
• Employer HSA contribution: up to $50/month
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for 24/7 confidential support
• Competitive pay
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Plan with company match
• Basic Life & AD&DD insurance at no cost
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability coverage options
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with tax advantages

Work-Life & Family Support

• PTO available after your first pay cycle
• Flexible benefit choices for individuals and families after 30 days
• Employee referral bonus program
• Charitable contribution matching: up to $100 annually

Ready to build your future with us?

Agency & Third-Party Recruiter Notice

McFarland Construction will not be responsible for any fees associated with unsolicited resumes. Resumes submitted by agencies without a signed recruiting agreement or without a specific requisition authorization shall be deemed the property of McFarland Construction, and the company reserves the right to contact, interview, and hire those candidates without payment of any fees or commissions.