Senior Preconstruction Leader: Strategy, Estimating & Risk

Metcalf Builders, Inc.; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Metcalf Builders Inc. in Reno, NV is seeking a Senior Preconstruction Manager to lead complex commercial pursuits from concept to GMP.

You will mentor the preconstruction team, drive budgeting, and manage risk and constructability to position projects for successful award and handoff. The role partners with executives, estimators, and business development to shape pursuit strategies, present compelling cost narratives, and ensure rigorous handoff to operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and senior-level construction experience.
• 10+ years of experience in commercial construction (preconstruction, estimating, or project management) and proven leadership of estimating/preconstruction teams.
• Expertise in conceptual estimating and guiding clients through cost decisions during design.
• Strong market awareness of labor and material trends and subcontractor availability.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, Bluebeam, estimating platforms, and cost modeling.
• Ability to manage multiple pursuits, deadlines, and stakeholder groups simultaneously.
• Preferred: experience with negotiated work, design-assist, and alternative delivery (CMAR, Design-Build).
• Strong client-facing and presentation skills with a trusted-advisor mentality.

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction strategy for large, complex, or high-profile commercial projects.
• Direct budgeting and estimating processes from conceptual through final GMP.
• Facilitate value engineering workshops, scope alignment, and cost risk mitigation strategies.
• Own cost certainty, risk management, and constructability outcomes through project award and handoff.
• Manage and mentor Estimators and preconstruction team members; provide oversight and quality control.
• Support continuous improvement of preconstruction tools, standards, templates, and processes.
• Lead trade partner strategy, including early engagement, buyout sequencing, and procurement planning.
• Drive constructability and logistics planning; coordinate schedule and phasing strategies with operations.
• Develop risk logs, contingency planning, escalation tracking, and market condition impact analysis.
• Partner with business development and leadership to support pursuit strategy, interviews, and client engagement.
• Present estimates, budgets, and recommendations to owners, architects, and internal leadership.
• Oversee proposal development and ensure pricing narratives are complete, accurate, and professional.
• Ensure proper handoff to operations, including buyout plans, bid tabs, scope sheets, and cost breakdowns.

Skills

Leadership

Client-facing

Presentation skills

Strategic thinking

Excel

Education

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

Tools

Bluebeam

Estimating platforms

Cost modeling

Job description

Metcalf Builders Inc. in Reno, NV is seeking a Senior Preconstruction Manager to lead complex commercial pursuits from concept to GMP.

You will mentor the preconstruction team, drive budgeting, and manage risk and constructability to position projects for successful award and handoff. The role partners with executives, estimators, and business development to shape pursuit strategies, present compelling cost narratives, and ensure rigorous handoff to operations.