Senior Electrical Preconstruction Manager

Fortis Construction, Inc.; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortis Construction, Inc. is seeking a Senior Electrical Preconstruction Manager to provide leadership for M&E preconstruction activities across complex projects. This position oversees the M&E Preconstruction team, develops detailed estimates, and ensures alignment of design and cost.

Responsibilities include leading constructability reviews, guiding the use of digital tools for accuracy, and presenting strategies to clients. Ideal candidates have extensive leadership experience in estimating and M&E trades.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of estimating, engineering, or controls experience with deep electrical expertise.
• Strong ability to prioritize urgency and importance.
• Excellent communication skills tailored to various audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the M&E Preconstruction team.
• Develop and validate conceptual and detailed M&E estimates.
• Serve as the senior M&E representative in client-facing meetings.

Skills

Estimating

Engineering

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Senior Electrical Preconstruction Manager

The Senior Electrical Preconstruction Manager provides strategic leadership for all M&E (Mechanical & Electrical) related preconstruction activities across multiple complex building and infrastructure projects. This role sets the technical direction, ensures consistent processes, and drives high quality, predictable M&E outcomes from early concept through handoff to operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the M&E Preconstruction team, including estimators and cross‑functional partners, serving as the primary interface for M&E scope, cost, risk, and design strategy.
• Develop and validate conceptual and detailed M&E estimates at all design stages, establish estimating standards, system assumptions, and risk frameworks for mechanical, electrical, and controls scopes.
• Review and approve major vendor and trade partner proposals, ensuring alignment with design intent and identification of hidden scope gaps.
• Lead advanced constructability reviews for complex systems such as MV distribution, UPS architecture, switchgear, central plants, and integrated controls.
• Guide the use of BIM, model‑based quantity extraction, and digital tools to improve accuracy, coordination, and transparency.
• Develop enterprise‑level M&E preconstruction strategies, work plans, and delivery frameworks; oversee purchasing plans, bid strategies, and procurement sequencing for major M&E packages.
• Partner with preconstruction and operations teams to align M&E preconstruction schedules, sequencing, and phasing with contractual documents and project delivery strategies.
• Serve as the senior M&E representative in client‑facing meetings, executive reviews, and major decision forums; present cost trends, design options, risk scenarios, and recommendations with clarity and strategic insight.
• Coach team members on effective communication and storytelling around M&E scope and cost drivers.
• Oversee evaluation of design gaps, scope ambiguities, procurement constraints, and schedule feasibility across all active pursuits.
• Ensure all M&E deliverables—estimates, narratives, design reviews, and handoff packages—are accurate, complete, and aligned with company standards.
• Establish documentation protocols for system decisions, design changes, estimating logic, and risk registers to ensure clean, trusted handoffs to operations.
• Lead cross‑functional risk workshops and drive resolution of major M&E issues before handoff.
• Champion prefabrication, modularization, and alternative delivery methods; integrate them into estimating, planning, and design strategy.
• Identify enterprise‑level opportunities for cost savings, schedule compression, and design optimization through early M&E strategy alignment.
• Provide accurate and timely comparative analysis to evaluate different systems or compare different builds for data‑driven decision making.
• Seek out emerging technologies, tools, and delivery models to improve M&E preconstruction performance and predictability.
• Lead, mentor, and develop M&E Preconstruction Managers, estimators, and cross‑functional partners; set expectations for performance, accountability, and quality.
• Build a culture of systems‑level thinking, disciplined estimating, and proactive risk management.
• Lead resource planning, staffing decisions, and capability development for the M&E preconstruction team.
• Foster the development of significant relationships with trade partners and other stakeholders.
• Assist in other duties as assigned, relevant to the achievement of the position’s and team’s objectives.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of estimating, engineering, or controls experience with deep electrical expertise.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related degree program, or equivalent work experience.
• Ability to motivate and inspire others to consistently meet deadlines while maintaining excellent detail orientation and quality of work.
• Skill in developing and maintaining client relationships with a customer‑focused orientation.
• Strong ability to prioritize urgency and importance and act accordingly.
• Mastery knowledge of construction methods, practices and project execution including practical knowledge of M&E trades.
• Understanding of benefits and limitations of different building types and systems.
• Excellent senior‑leadership level communication skills and command of interpersonal skills necessary to tailor messaging to all audiences (executive, system, detail).
• Strong leadership qualities, inclusive of perseverance through challenges and a results‑oriented mindset.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams, driving accountability, and influencing cross‑functional partners.
• Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record in accordance with Fortis policy.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed in a professional office environment. The role is stationary, often standing or sitting for long periods using standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers. Communication with internal and external contacts, including speaking and hearing, is required. May occasionally push, pull or lift up to 25 lbs.

Travel Requirements

Travel to jobsites as required. Up to 2 times per month. All Fortis positions require some level of driving.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fortis is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We adhere to a policy of making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or any other protected categories. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given an equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job‑related factors. At Fortis, passionate people are the foundation of our company.