Preconstruction Manager - Building

Kiewit; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier medical

Dental plan

Vision plan

Wellness program

Employee assistance program

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement plan with matching

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Kiewit Industrial & Water Engineering in Lenexa, KS, is seeking a Preconstruction Manager to lead multi-discipline estimating and preconstruction services for large-scale industrial projects. You will coordinate with design teams, craft budgets, and manage procurement strategies to meet client goals and schedules.

The role requires deep expertise in design-phase coordination, risk analysis, and cost control, with a track record of mentoring staff and presenting strategies to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CM/Engineering/Architecture or related field; continued training in estimating/project planning preferred.
• 15+ years of senior experience in estimating, preconstruction, project management, or trade partner management on industrial and heavy commercial projects.
• Strong background in design-phase coordination, budgeting, and value engineering.
• Broad experience with multiple delivery models and strong knowledge of construction methods, building systems, materials, and market pricing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experienced with estimating software and open to learning InEight.
• Skilled with Primavera P6, Bluebeam, and OST.
• Ethical, detail-oriented, results-driven, and able to mentor and collaborate with teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preconstruction phase, ensuring alignment with client goals, design intent, budget, and schedule.
• Collaborate with clients and design teams to define scope and deliverables.
• Review plans and specs to establish project understanding and build strategy.
• Develop and manage preconstruction schedules and key milestones.
• Prepare budgets and estimates at all design stages.
• Analyze drawings to identify gaps and risks.
• Provide value engineering options and benchmark costs.
• Present estimates and strategies to senior leadership and clients.
• Mentor estimating and project engineering staff; ensure documentation for transition to construction.

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management/Engineering/Architecture

Tools

Primavera P6

Bluebeam

OST

InEight

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Home District/Group:Kiewit Industrial & Water Engineering

Employment Type:Full Time

Position Overview

A Preconstruction Manager oversees various classes of building estimates and provides preconstruction services for the civil, structural, and architectural systems of a large project. Markets include power, industrial, and heavy commercial projects. Duties will include, but are not limited to, coordination with project leadership, leading a team of estimators, interfacing with engineering and design teams, preparing and implementing procurement strategies, formulating a division of work plan, trade partner outreach and relationship building, analyzing drawing and specifications for constructability and risk, reviewing quotes and proposals, presentation of estimates and strategies to senior leadership and clients, and other duties as required to provide preconstruction services for through various stages of design.

District Overview

Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc. is a full-service engineering consulting and design firm serving a broad range of industrial markets. With more than 1,300 engineers and design professionals across all major engineering disciplines, we support the industrial, transportation, power, water/wastewater, mining, building, and oil, gas & chemical markets.

Our operations-focused engineering approach integrates over 130 years of construction expertise to deliver safe, efficient facilities — finishing projects on schedule and ensuring that Nobody Gets Hurt.

The Industrial & Water Engineering team includes process, mechanical, electrical, controls, structural, architectural, geotechnical, and civil disciplines. We specialize in EPC and design-build delivery for industrial projects in markets including:

• Datacenters
• Mineral Processing
• Renewable Fuels
• Pulp & Paper

Location

This position is based in Lenexa, Kansas. Opportunities for flexible work are available.

Responsabilities

• Lead the preconstruction phase, ensuring alignment with client goals, design intent, budget, and schedule.
• Collaborate with clients and design teams to define scope and deliverables.
• Review plans and specifications to establish project understanding and build strategy.
• Develop and manage preconstruction schedules and key milestones.
• Prepare budgets and estimates at all design stages.
• Analyze drawings to identify gaps and risks.
• Review and level trade partner bids.
• Provide value engineering options and benchmark costs.
• Participate in design reviews to assess constructability and recommend alternatives.
• Resolve discrepancies and integrate construction insights early in design.
• Develop procurement strategy and bid packages.
• Manage trade partner outreach, prequalification, and selection.
• Support scope development and contract negotiations.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to budget, schedule, logistics, and design.
• Maintain cost tracking and reporting.
• Present budget updates, cost studies, and risk assessments.
• Serve as primary preconstruction contact.
• Lead coordination meetings and maintain clear communication.
• Communicate critical issues and estimate assumptions.
• Present estimates and proposals to senior management and clients.
• Mentor estimating and project engineering staff.
• Ensure complete documentation for transition to construction.
• Support kickoff meetings, early buyout, and mobilization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field; continued training in estimating and project planning preferred.
• 15+ years of senior experience in estimating, preconstruction, project management, or trade partner management, with proven results on industrial and heavy commercial projects.
• Strong background in design‑phase coordination, budgeting, and value engineering.
• Broad experience with multiple delivery models and strong knowledge of construction methods, building systems, materials, and market pricing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experienced with estimating software and open to learning InEight.
• Skilled with Primavera P6, Bluebeam, and OST.
• Solid understanding of building codes, design standards, and sustainable construction.
• Able to perform detailed quantity takeoffs and cost analyses.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage multiple pursuits under tight deadlines.
• Strong communication, organization, leadership, and decision‑making skills.
• Ethical, detail‑oriented, results‑driven, and committed to mentoring and collaboration.
• Strong client‑facing abilities, including proposals, budget presentations, negotiations, and relationship‑building with owners, architects, and trade partners.
• CPE or PMP preferred; OSHA 30‑Hour a plus. #LI-TJ1

Other Requirements:

• Work productively and meet deadlines timely
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment.
• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
• May work at various different locations and conditions may vary.

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

There’s no limit to what you’ll do at Kiewit. Whether you’re building or supporting projects that provide communities with dependable energy, safe transportation, clean water, or access to health care, the work you do will positively impact people’s lives for generations to come.

Here you’ll have endless opportunities to expand your expertise through on‑the‑job experience and internal and external training and development opportunities.

We offer our full-time staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry.From top-tier health care programs to employee assistance programs and retirement planning, we aim to provide you with the tools you need to be successful in the areas of life that matter most to you.

Kiewit is an equal‑opportunity employer, and we believe a diverse workforce is vital to the success of our business. We continue our efforts to attract, develop and retain employees from all backgrounds who are passionate about our industry.

We are committed to veteran and military hiring and will consider relevant military experience as equivalent to qualification requirements.