Senior Preconstruction Manager

MKH Search Limited; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MKH Search Limited is seeking an experienced Senior Preconstruction Manager to lead preconstruction activities for education and municipal construction projects across Georgia and the surrounding region. The role involves planning, budgeting, and delivering competitive proposals while coordinating with clients, design teams, and subcontractors.

The ideal candidate will have extensive public-sector construction experience, including K-12 schools, higher education, municipal buildings, libraries,

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or commercial construction.
• Strong background in public-sector construction (K-12, higher education, municipal buildings, libraries).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, organizational, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction activities from initial concept through final pricing and project handover.
• Develop detailed estimates, preliminary budgets, cost plans, and bid proposals.
• Review drawings, specifications and contract documents to identify risks and cost-saving opportunities.
• Oversee quantity takeoffs, subcontractor bidding, vendor pricing, and cost analysis.
• Collaborate with owners, architects, engineers, and consultants on budgets, schedules, and delivery strategies.
• Lead value engineering and recommend cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.
• Develop and manage preconstruction schedules, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met.
• Manage subcontractor and supplier relationships, including bid solicitation and pricing negotiations.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Superintendents for smooth transition to execution.
• Participate in client presentations, project interviews, and bid reviews.
• Identify risks related to cost, schedule, constructability, and procurement.
• Procore experience is preferred.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Organization

Education

Degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Procore

Job description

We're working alongside an established General Contractor who are seeking an experienced Senior Preconstruction Manager to lead preconstruction activities for education and municipal construction projects across Georgia and the surrounding region.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in public-sector construction, including K-12 schools, higher education, municipal buildings, libraries, or other civic facilities.

You will oversee the preconstruction process from initial planning through final bid submission and handover to operations, working closely with clients, design teams, subcontractors, estimators, and internal project teams to develop accurate budgets, identify risks, and deliver competitive proposals.

The position is based in Atlanta, with some travel required for project site visits, client meetings, and preconstruction activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction activities from initial concept through final pricing and project handover.
• Develop detailed estimates, preliminary budgets, cost plans, and bid proposals.
• Review drawings, specifications, and contract documents to identify risks, scope gaps, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Oversee quantity takeoffs, subcontractor bidding, vendor pricing, and cost analysis.
• Collaborate with owners, architects, engineers, and consultants to establish budgets, schedules, and project delivery strategies.
• Lead value engineering exercises and recommend cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.
• Develop and manage preconstruction schedules, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met.
• Manage subcontractor and supplier relationships, including bid solicitation, proposal reviews, and pricing negotiations.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Superintendents to ensure a smooth transition from preconstruction to project execution.
• Participate in client presentations, project interviews, and bid reviews.
• Identify risks relating to cost, schedule, constructability, and procurement.
• Ensure proposals align with public-sector bidding requirements and project specifications.
• Support business development through strong client relationships and preconstruction expertise.
• Travel as required for site visits, client meetings, and project reviews.

Project Experience

Experience with one or more of the following is preferred:

• K-12 schools and educational facilities.
• Colleges and universities.
• Municipal and government buildings.
• Libraries and civic facilities.
• Public-sector renovations and additions.
• Ground-up institutional construction.

Experience with publicly funded projects, competitive bidding, CM-at-Risk, or other public procurement methods is highly desirable.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or commercial construction.
• Previous experience as a Preconstruction Manager, Senior Estimator, or in a similar senior-level role.
• Strong background in education, municipal, institutional, or public-sector construction.
• Proven ability to manage multiple estimates and preconstruction activities simultaneously.
• Strong knowledge of construction costs, estimating methodologies, quantity takeoffs, and subcontractor pricing.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and contract documents.
• Experience with value engineering, constructability reviews, cost control, and scheduling.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency with estimating software and Microsoft Office; Procore experience is preferred.
• Willingness to travel as required.
• A degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.