Senior Manager Preconstruction & Estimating

Lovableacademy; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Lovableacademy is seeking a Senior Manager for Preconstruction & Estimating in Birmingham, AL. This role emphasizes leadership in estimating and preconstruction processes while championing the adoption of AI tools across teams.

You will be responsible for accuracy in pricing outcomes and leading the Estimating & Preconstruction team through various complex projects. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills and a proven ability to manage client relationships effectively.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in the construction industry.
• 4+ years in Preconstruction and Estimating.
• Proven track record of leading estimating teams.

Responsibilities

• Own the accuracy and integrity of preconstruction estimates.
• Lead and mentor the Estimating & Preconstruction team.
• Manage relationships with clients during pricing and negotiations.

Skills

Leadership skills

Estimating accuracy

Analytical problem solving

Client relationship management

Negotiation skills

Education

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

Tools

Building Connected

Sage Estimating

Power BI

MS Project

Python

Job description

# Senior Manager Preconstruction & EstimatingPreconstruction / Estimating ManagerJobotBirmingham, AL USenHybrid (3/2)Full-timePosted Jun 14, 2026The role explicitly calls out championing the adoption of AI tools such as Claude.ai, Claude Code, Lovable, or Replit across estimating and preconstruction teams. As a lovable.dev expert, you’d be expected to: (1) Evaluate where AI-generated applications can accelerate preconstruction workflows—e.g., internal web tools for quantity takeoffs, cost modeling UIs, data-entry automation for historical cost databases, or internal dashboards wired into estimating data. (2) Define standards and best practices for using Lovable in this environment: repository structure, code quality expectations, security and access controls for cost and client data, and integration patterns with existing systems (estimating databases, ERP, Power BI/Tableau data sources). (3) Prototype and productionize lightweight internal tools with Lovable—for example, apps that interface with Building Connected exports, Sage/Timberline/WinEst data, or scheduling tools like MS Project/Primavera/Smartsheet to create unified views for estimators. (4) Train and mentor estimators and preconstruction staff to safely and effectively use Lovable-generated apps and AI coding assistance, including when to trust AI output, how to review generated code, and how to log changes that impact pricing or margin assumptions. (5) Work with data/analytics stakeholders to connect Lovable apps to Python/SQL-based analytics models and AI/ML initiatives, turning models into user-friendly internal tools that improve estimating accuracy, hit rate, and margin variance tracking. Overall, Lovable is a small but concrete part of the toolset; your expertise would primarily be used for internal tooling and AI-enablement of existing preconstruction processes rather than building customer-facing products.TechnologiesBuilding ConnectedSage EstimatingTimberlineWinEstMS ProjectPrimavera P6SmartsheetMicrosoft ExcelPower BITableauPythonSQLClaude.aiClaude CodeLovableReplitApply Now### AI AnalysisJobot seeks Senior Manager for estimating and preconstruction leadership in large, technology‐driven construction programs.## Job DescriptionWant to learn more about this role and Jobot? Click our Jobot logo and follow our LinkedIn page! Job details: This Jobot Job is hosted by: Dawit Demoz Are you a fit? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button and sending us your resume. Salary: $170 000 $220 000 per year **A bit about us:**We are a fast growing organization focused on transforming how complex projects are planned priced and executed across the built environment. By combining operational excellence technology and cross functional collaboration we deliver high impact solutions at scale. Our teams work on large high visibility programs where innovation strategic thinking and execution matter. **Why join us?**This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible growth oriented role where you’ll gain exposure to the full project lifecycle while working alongside experienced project and program leaders. You’ll have the chance to take ownership of key project coordination efforts contribute to financial and operational decision making and play a meaningful role in keeping complex projects moving forward. The role offers a blend of office based coordination and field exposure giving you hands on experience across scheduling cost tracking vendor coordination change management and client communication. It’s an ideal opportunity for someone looking to accelerate their career into Project Management strengthen leadership capabilities and gain experience in a fast paced collaborative environment where process improvement and professional growth are encouraged. **Job Details**Job Responsibilities Estimating & Preconstruction Leadership: * Own the accuracy integrity and margin impact of our preconstruction estimates across assigned programs — accountable for pricing outcomes not oversight only.* Design build and restructure the Estimating & Preconstruction team as needed to meet pursuit demand; evaluate team structure right sizing and capability gaps across Estimators and Assistant Preconstruction staff.* Lead and supervise direct reports: Assistant Preconstruction Estimators and Program / Project Management staff supporting preconstruction exercises.* Refine and improve operational procedures across preconstruction workflows; establish standards for conceptual schematic design development and GMP estimates.* Develop and maintain our estimating systems and infrastructure: the preconstruction relational database (historical cost schedule bill of materials) pricing templates Basis of Estimate standards and communication/coordination tools. Direct investment in Technology and Finance support to keep the database accurate and current.* Lead preconstruction pricing exercises end to end: subcontractor outreach (including Building Connected setup and coordination) RFP compilation pricing documents price leveling and award recommendations.* Develop program and project risk analyses; escalate risks clearly and proactively to Leadership.* Lead both internal and Client directed Value Engineering efforts.* Develop initial DMC project schedules and construction schedules during the preconstruction phase; establish schedule assumptions that Program Management inherits at handoff.* Track design scope through preconstruction; immediately escalate changes that affect budget or schedule with clear impact timeline and recommended action.* Lead the transfer of key estimating information to internal customers — Program and Project Management Design Supply Chain Manufacturing Construction and Finance — so that estimates live as operational truth after handoff.* Take direct control of estimates or pursuits in serious jeopardy — pricing disputes rapidly changing scope significant client side escalations — and return them to a defensible margin safe state.* Present and defend pursuit and pricing reviews to Executive Leadership.* Lead in collaboration with the Head of Construction Engineering and Director of Field Operations the development of scalable field self perform estimating tools; facilitate field ops estimating (quantity takeoffs labor estimates work plans) and constructability reviews with field trade experts.* Lead or support the buyout of subcontractor and supplier agreements.* Lead mentor and develop the Estimating & Preconstruction team; accountable for their performance retention and professional development.* Champion safety and quality culture throughout the preconstruction process.Client & Commercial Leadership: * Develop and maintain C suite level relationships with Client preconstruction and estimating leaders representing us at the highest levels of client organizations during pursuit.* Lead all Client presentations related to pricing preconstruction and Value Engineering; accountable for all materials presented to Clients or potential Clients.* Manage the coordination interface with the Client’s preconstruction and estimating teams: progress communication technical options problems and opportunities and GMP preparation inputs.* Contribute to our strategic pipeline decisions — provide input on which programs clients and pursuits we commit to based on margin viability capacity and strategic fit.* Support our Commercial / Business Development team in the review and analysis of technical proposal requirements preparation of proposals and pricing and participation in meetings with potential Clients.* Build and maintain positive relationships across our DMC ecosystem — subcontractors general contractors design consultants vendors Architects Engineers and Owner’s representatives.* Support the CEO CCO and VP of Programs in the negotiation of Client contractsJob Skills & Qualifications Required * Bachelor’s degree in Architecture Engineering Construction Management Data Analytics or related field.* 10+ years of relevant experience in the construction industry including 4+ years in Preconstruction and Estimating.* Demonstrated accountability for the estimating and preconstruction function across one or more programs totaling more than $100M in annual pursuit value.* Demonstrated C suite level client and commercial partner relationships during pursuit and negotiation — not just estimator to estimator contacts.* Proven ability to build restructure and right size an estimating and preconstruction team.* Demonstrated ability to take direct control of a pursuit or estimate in serious jeopardy (scope client relationship or pricing crisis) and return it to a defensible state.* Proven track record presenting and defending pursuit and pricing reviews with Executive Leadership.* Excellent analytical problem solving and communication skills; ability to synthesize complex pricing information for Executive Leadership and C suite client audiences.* Strong financial acumen; ability to make sound pricing decisions with explicit margin accountability.* Advanced proficiency in estimating technology and preconstruction platforms (Building Connected Sage Estimating Timberline WinEst or comparable).* Advanced proficiency in scheduling; ability to direct scheduling work across multiple platforms (MS Project Primavera P6 and Smartsheet) and set estimating phase scheduling standards.* Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for program level pricing and risk analysis.* Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite (Word Outlook PowerPoint) and Bluebeam.* Expert negotiator with a fair and ethical mindset; ability to lead pricing strategy subcontract negotiations and client contract support.* Strategic and operational leadership capacity.* Ability to travel up to 25% depending on pursuit activity and client engagement needs.Preferred * Master’s degree in a relevant field (MBA Construction Management Data Analytics or similar).* Relevant professional license certification or registration (PE AIA PMP CPE LEED AP ASHE CHC or similar).* Demonstrated capacity to set analytical and data requirements for the estimating team; ability to evaluate whether the right pricing analysis is being performed not only whether the number is correct.* Demonstrated ability to set organizational standards for cost modeling estimating and financial analysis; fluency reviewing complex pricing models at an executive level.* Ability to interpret CAD Revit or SolidWorks models sufficient to contribute to constructability and design strategy discussions during pursuit.* Working understanding of Python SQL and data modeling tools sufficient to evaluate and sponsor their application within the estimating database and pricing workflows.* Working knowledge of AI/ML statistical modeling and data engineering concepts sufficient to set organizational adoption strategy for estimating intelligence and direct team investment.* Demonstrated ability to champion adoption of AI tools such as Claude.ai Claude Code Lovable or Replit across estimating and preconstruction teams; proven track record establishing adoption standards and performance benchmarks.* Ability to establish KPI frameworks and dashboard standards for estimating accuracy hit rate margin variance and pursuit outcomes (Power BI Tableau Smartsheet dashboards).* Experience directing ERP reporting and data strategy (Microsoft Dynamics Business Central or comparable) for preconstruction and estimating cost actuals and historical reconciliation.* Demonstrated senior level leadership experience in estimating cost analysis or data analytics within construction manufacturing or related industries.* Experience operating within modular construction or design build environments.Interested in hearing more? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button. Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race color sex sexual orientation gender identity religion national origin age (40 and over) disability military status genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal state or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is Jobot’s policy to comply with all applicable federal state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.