Preconstruction Manager

Wohlsen Construction; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Wohlsen Construction seeks a senior leader to manage Preconstruction and Estimating, guiding teams from initial award through GMP signing and start. You will drive budgeting, scheduling, and design coordination across projects, delivering high-quality preconstruction services that align with client goals.

You will supervise department staff, mentor teams, and lead value engineering efforts, ensuring accurate bid documents and profitable GMP outcomes while maintaining client satisfaction and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Engineering, Construction Technology, Architecture or similar field of study.
• 3–10 years of construction experience.
• Valid driver’s license with ability to travel to regional offices to support local estimating projects.
• Authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without restriction or sponsorship.
• Willingness to work additional hours to meet business plan goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Wohlsen preconstruction team to accomplish contract requirements, services by budgeting, scheduling, or organizing, defining roles and responsibilities with input from the Operations Manager and Superintendents.
• Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development and GMP estimates to support preconstruction activities and clients.
• Contribute to the development of standards, processes, and practices as needed for the Preconstruction Services to be a 'Best of Class' provider in the construction industry.
• Attend scheduled meetings with project architects/customers to acquaint them with unresolved problems and to provide adequate coordination to ensure accurate bidding documents.
• Maintain and adjust to owner’s budget to keep the project within budget.
• Monitor design scope for changes affecting budget and/or schedule; identify causes, advise customers for decision making.
• Keep customers informed of preconstruction progress and of any technical problems/solutions and their effect on design and/or costs.
• Identify and promote solutions to any problems that might impede project progress or adversely affect customer and architect relations.
• Coordinate with the Estimating department on the development of project budgets and oversee prepared estimates into format for owner and architect presentation; answer budget questions during presentation.
• Manage the project team’s performance to ensure contract requirements are fulfilled, safety, insurance, legal procedures are followed, and risks are limited.
• Lead value engineering and value enhancement efforts to serve clients, including development of items and lists, compilation of ideas, and presentation of information to clients.
• Prepare and/or oversee all materials presented to owner, architect or engineer on a project.
• Lead and perform constructability reviews of all projects where designated the preconstruction manager.
• Ensure proper turnover of a project from Preconstruction and estimating to operations with appropriate hand-off meetings and all information transferred to the operations team.
• Initiate billing process, review and approve all invoices prior to submittal to customer.
• Participate in presentations with potential clients and support the review and approval of contracts before signing.
• Finalize GMP price with client that meets client needs and provides maximum profitability within contract terms and conditions.
• Support negotiation of owner contracts.
• Assist and lead purchasing of subcontractors and suppliers or determine on a project-by-project basis.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Engineering, Construction Technology, Architecture or similar field of study.

Job description

Looking for extensive estimating experience.

About Your Opportunity

The position includes all management and leadership responsibilities associated with the Preconstruction and Estimating departments. The incumbent will motivate, coach and manage department employees. Responsibilities also include ensuring customer satisfaction by delivering pre‑construction projects, maintaining and expediting pre‑construction practices and services for all teams on projects assigned, and delivering pre‑construction services from initial award through GMP signing and construction start.

How You’ll Contribute

• Lead the Wohlsen preconstruction team to accomplish contract requirements, services by budgeting, scheduling, or organizing, defining roles and responsibilities with input from the Operations Manager and Superintendents.
• Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development and GMP estimates to support preconstruction activities and clients.
• Contribute to the development of standards, processes, and practices as needed for the Preconstruction Services to be a “Best of Class” provider in the construction industry.
• Attend scheduled meetings with project architects/customers to acquaint them with unresolved problems and to provide adequate coordination to ensure accurate bidding documents.
• Maintain and adjust to owner’s budget to keep the project within budget.
• Monitor design scope for changes affecting budget and/or schedule; identify causes, advise customers for decision making.
• Keep customers informed of preconstruction progress and of any technical problems/solutions and their effect on design and/or costs.
• Identify and promote solutions to any problems that might impede project progress or adversely affect customer and architect relations.
• Coordinate with the Estimating department on the development of project budgets and oversee prepared estimates into format for owner and architect presentation; answer budget questions during presentation.
• Manage the project team’s performance to ensure contract requirements are fulfilled, safety, insurance, legal procedures are followed, and risks are limited.
• Lead value engineering and value enhancement efforts to serve clients, including development of items and lists, compilation of ideas, and presentation of information to clients.
• Prepare and/or oversee all materials presented to owner, architect or engineer on a project.
• Lead and perform constructability reviews of all projects where designated the preconstruction manager.
• Ensure proper turnover of a project from Preconstruction and estimating to operations with appropriate hand‑off meetings and all information transferred to the operations team.
• Initiate billing process, review and approve all invoices prior to submittal to customer.
• Participate in presentations with potential clients and support the review and approval of contracts before signing.
• Finalize GMP price with client that meets client needs and provides maximum profitability within contract terms and conditions.
• Support negotiation of owner contracts.
• Assist and lead purchasing of subcontractors and suppliers or determine on a project‑by‑project basis.

Relationships

• Reports to VP of Preconstruction/Estimating, Vice President, or Regional VP.
• Works alongside Estimating Teams.

Authority

• Lead and manage the Preconstruction and Estimating departments, fostering team motivation and effectiveness.
• Maintain and expedite preconstruction practices to ensure customer satisfaction and alignment with organizational goals.
• Direct the Wohlsen preconstruction team in fulfilling contract requirements, optimizing profitability, and supporting client needs.

Accountability

• Ensure accuracy and timeliness in bid submissions, adhering to client requirements and company standards.
• Hold team members accountable for assigned tasks, providing guidance and support to meet project objectives.
• Take ownership of project outcomes, addressing challenges proactively and driving continuous improvement initiatives for enhanced performance and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Engineering, Construction Technology, Architecture or similar field of study.
• 3–10 years of construction experience.
• Valid driver’s license with ability to travel to regional offices to support local estimating projects.
• Authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without restriction or sponsorship.
• Willingness to work additional hours to meet business plan goals.

Physical Requirements

In a normal day, this position requires little to no standing or walking. The employee must be able to sit for 7+ hours, drive 1–4 hours, lift/carry up to 10 lbs, occasionally carry small objects, and occasionally (0–33%) be able to bend at waist, squat, climb (including ladders), reach above shoulders, kneel, crawl, use feet (foot controls), and/or work at heights above 6 ft.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of Wohlsen Construction to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This policy applies to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, reduction of workforce and termination, pay, training, facilities, and company-sponsored activities.

The information contained herein is not intended to be an all‑inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all‑inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and Wohlsen Construction may exercise its employment at‑will rights at any time.