Senior Preconstruction & Estimating Lead

Ridgemont Resources, Inc.; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

This role collaborates with the Market Lead, Director of Business Development & Procurement, estimating team, contracts coordinator, design partners, and clients to develop budgets, schedules, and value-driven solutions aligned with company standards.

The Preconstruction Manager provides day-to-day leadership of the estimating function, coordinating workload allocation, project priorities, and resource planning to ensure all preconstruction deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CM, Eng, Arch, or related field.
• 7–10 years in estimating, preconstruction, or project management.
• Experience with Design-Build, CMAR, and negotiated delivery methods.
• Experience preparing detailed construction cost estimates and GMP proposals.
• Ability to lead client-facing meetings and present budget/schedule info to owners.
• Proficiency with Procore and Bluebeam.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating team in producing accurate, complete cost estimates across all design phases.
• Manage project budgets from contract execution through GMP development, ensuring alignment with owner expectations.
• Establish milestone pricing schedules and oversee budget reviews at key design milestones.
• Direct value engineering exercises with owners, consultants, and design teams to maintain project feasibility.
• Develop and maintain project-specific preconstruction schedules from award through groundbreaking.
• Coordinate design team activities and lead constructability reviews throughout the design process.
• Manage the GMP development and owner presentation process, securing approval of the final budget and schedule.
• Confirm project readiness for construction mobilization and facilitate turnover to Operations.
• Coordinate with the Contracts Coordinator to execute owner contracts using company templates and standard terms.
• Make project-level contract decisions within guardrails, including retainage, allowances, and contingency levels.
• Review and respond to owner and attorney redlines; escalate non-standard risk positions.
• Confirm financing commitment letters, bonding status, and insurance coverage at project award.
• Initiate subcontractor prequalification for key early trades; develop bid strategy and oversee bid lists.
• Coordinate procurement planning for long-lead materials and critical trades.
• Recommend subcontractor selection at GMP and transfer procurement strategies to project team.
• Provide day-to-day leadership of the estimating team and capacity planning.
• Coordinate across estimating, design, procurement, and operations teams for seamless delivery.
• Conduct turnover meetings with Operations, Project Management, and Field Leadership.
• Monitor project risks and mitigation strategies throughout preconstruction.
• Serve as primary contact for owners and design partners; lead client-facing budget presentations.
• Communicate project updates, budget changes, and schedule impacts clearly to stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Client-facing meetings

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

Job description

This role collaborates with the Market Lead, Director of Business Development & Procurement, estimating team, contracts coordinator, design partners, and clients to develop budgets, schedules, and value-driven solutions aligned with company standards.

The Preconstruction Manager provides day-to-day leadership of the estimating function, coordinating workload allocation, project priorities, and resource planning to ensure all preconstruction deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.