Preconstruction Project Manager, Commercial Construction

Pepper Construction Group; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

PTO and holidays

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Pepper Construction Wisconsin is seeking a collaborative Preconstruction Project Manager to guide projects from concept through turnover, applying cost awareness, constructability insights, and client priorities to shape successful outcomes.

You will lead preconstruction efforts with clients and design teams, develop estimates across conceptual to detailed stages, perform quantity takeoffs, and drive value engineering while preserving design intent.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• 5–10 years of commercial construction with preconstruction leadership.
• Strong client-facing communication and relationship management.
• Deep understanding of conceptual estimating, constructability, cost planning.
• Experience with Revit and BIM coordination; Destini/WinEst familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction from conceptual design through GMP development and turnover.
• Set goals, budgets, schedules, and operational priorities with clients and design teams.
• Develop estimates from limited information and perform quantity takeoffs.
• Analyze drawings to identify cost drivers and optimization opportunities.
• Lead value analysis and value engineering discussions while preserving design intent.
• Collaborate with operations and field leadership to align planning with execution.
• Support business development and project pursuit activities.
• Mentor and develop junior team members.
• Promote Pepper’s collaborative, solutions-oriented culture.

Skills

Client-facing communication

Relationship management

Value engineering

Cost planning

Constructability

Leadership

Meeting facilitation

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field

Tools

Destini

WinEst

Revit

BIM coordination

Job description

With offices in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio, Pepper Construction is a national general contracting and construction management firm that primarily serves the private sector. Pepper Construction provides clients the experience and resources of a national company, combined with the hands-on approach of a local company.

Position Summary

At Pepper Construction Wisconsin, preconstruction is more than estimating. It is strategic project leadership that shapes outcomes long before construction begins. We are seeking a collaborative, client-focused Preconstruction Project Manager who can guide projects from early concept through turnover with a deep understanding of cost, constructability, market conditions, building systems, and client priorities.

What You’ll Do

• Lead preconstruction efforts from conceptual design through GMP development and project turnover
• Partner with clients and design teams to establish project goals, budgets, schedules, and operational priorities
• Develop conceptual, schematic, design development, and detailed estimates from limited or evolving information
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs manually and electronically
• Analyze drawings, specifications, and project documents to identify cost drivers, constructability concerns, and opportunities for optimization
• Lead value analysis and value engineering discussions while maintaining design intent and project goals
• Develop detailed scopes of work by trade and manage bid packaging strategies
• Conduct constructability reviews and building systems evaluations
• Analyze market conditions, labor trends, material escalation, and procurement risks
• Level, analyze, and descope trade partner proposals
• Collaborate with operations and field leadership to align planning with execution strategies
• Support business development and project pursuit activities

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers, trade partners, and internal teams
• Communicate clearly and confidently with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Lead meetings and facilitate productive conversations that drive alignment and decision-making
• Mentor and support less experienced team members
• Promote a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture grounded in Pepper’s values

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field preferred
• 5–10 years of commercial construction experience with significant preconstruction leadership responsibilities
• Experience leading preconstruction efforts on projects exceeding $10MStrong client-facing communication and relationship management skills
• Deep understanding of conceptual estimating, constructability, cost planning, and project phasing
• Proficiency with Destini, WinEst, or similar estimating platforms
• Experience with Revit and BIM coordination preferred
• Experience in healthcare, higher education, office, industrial, manufacturing, life sciences, hospitality, interiors, K-12, or retail preferred

Why Pepper?

• Competitive compensation and performance-based rewards
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Student loan repayment assistance
• Generous PTO, holidays, and floating holidays
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Collaborative, people-first culture
• Meaningful work building projects that positively impact communities

Pepper Construction is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Please note: Pepper does not sponsor work visas.