Senior Preconstruction Manager

XL Construction Corp.; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 158,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

XL in California is seeking a Senior Preconstruction Manager to lead the design and preconstruction phase for large, complex opportunities, either as the primary leader or by guiding other preconstruction team members.

This role sets the design-management strategy, aligns the O/A/C team, shapes pursuit and delivery plans, drives cost planning, risk management, and design-to-cost decisions, and serves as a trusted advisor to clients, designers, trade partners and internal leadership.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in preconstruction, design or project delivery.
• Experience leading complex, multidisciplinary projects from concept to construction.
• Bachelor's degree in construction-related field; professional credentials valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex preconstruction assignments and set operating rhythm for multidisciplinary teams.
• Provide oversight to Preconstruction Managers and project teams.
• Drive cost planning, risk management and design-to-cost strategies.
• Coach teams and drive improvements to tools and processes.
• Align design with budget, schedule and client expectations.

Skills

Leadership

Client leadership

Multidisciplinary team leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

The Senior Preconstruction Manager Leads the design/preconstruction phase for XL's larger, more complex, strategic or higher-risk opportunities, either as the primary preconstruction leader or through the leadership of other preconstruction team members. Performs the full responsibilities of a Preconstruction Manager as required by the assignment, while bringing a higher level of strategic leadership, judgment and capability to complex work. Sets direction for the design phase, creates alignment across the O/A/C team, shapes pursuit and delivery strategy, aligns design with budget and schedule, drives risk and opportunity management, and acts as a trusted advisor to clients, designers, trade partners and internal leadership. Provides oversight, coaching and development to other team members where assigned. Ensures preconstruction outcomes position projects for both a successful award and successful execution.

Key Responsibilities

Preconstruction Leadership & Integration

• Lead complex or strategic preconstruction assignments and establish the operating rhythm for multidisciplinary teams.
• Provide oversight, quality assurance and problem-solving support to Preconstruction Managers and project teams.
• Resolve competing cost, design, schedule, commercial and client priorities and drive timely decisions.
• Lead alignment sessions and major design-phase meetings when needed to restore clarity, trust and accountability across the O/A/C team.
• Ensure transition-to-operations planning is complete, transparent and actionable.

Cost Planning, Estimating & Commercial Strategy

• Validate cost strategy, major assumptions, estimate completeness, trade coverage, escalation, contingency and commercial risk on complex work.
• Lead executive estimate/GMP reviews and ensure the cost plan remains connected to design maturity and procurement timing.
• Guide teams in benchmarking, option analysis, market testing and cost-informed decision making.
• Identify opportunities to improve fee, risk position and overall project value without compromising client outcomes.
• Lead commercial recovery strategies when preconstruction/design-phase service costs are trending above plan, including Owner negotiations where appropriate.

Design Management, Constructability & Value

• Set design-management strategy for complex pursuits and ensure design scope, deliverables, responsibility and decision-making are clear.
• Lead difficult design-to-cost conversations and develop alternatives that balance performance, quality, schedule, risk and cost.
• Coach teams in design reviews, design risk management, consultant coordination and value strategy. Ensure design development supports procurement and construction sequencing. Lead design-phase pull planning and ensure design, permitting, procurement and construction milestones are integrated into one executable strategy.
• Drive opportunities for prefabrication, manufacturing and other delivery innovations by influencing design early rather than evaluating them after design is complete.

Schedule, Procurement, Logistics & Risk

• Validate procurement, schedule and risk strategies for complex projects and ensure they support the overall win and delivery plan.
• Lead major risk workshops and challenge teams to quantify, mitigate, transfer or deliberately retain risk.
• Use trade-partner and market intelligence to shape packaging, sequencing and design decisions.
• Ensure strategic risks and opportunities are elevated to leadership early and with recommended actions.

Pursuits, Clients & Business Development

• Shape win themes, technical strategy and differentiation for major pursuits.
• Help form strategic pursuit teams, including A/E and key design-assist partners, and establish clear roles, responsibilities and decision rights.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients and designers, using strong listening and facilitation skills to uncover priorities and resolve competing interests.
• Support interviews, negotiations and executive-level client engagement.
• Build external networks and maintain awareness of market trends, competitors and upcoming opportunities.

People, Process & Continuous Improvement

• Coach, mentor and, where assigned, manage Preconstruction Managers and other preconstruction staff.
• Review work quality, support assignments and workload planning, and help develop multidisciplinary capability.
• Lead improvements to tools, standards, templates and preconstruction processes.
• Model strong leadership across teams without relying on formal reporting relationships.

Qualifications & Experience

• Typically 10+ years of progressively responsible relevant experience, with demonstrated leadership of complex preconstruction, design, estimating or project-delivery assignments.
• Career experience may come from a general contractor, architecture/engineering firm, design-management consultancy, cost consultant, developer/owner or a combination of these environments.
• Proven ability to lead large or complex projects from early concept through procurement/GMP/contract agreement and successful transition to construction.
• Advanced understanding of building systems, design processes, construction planning, cost drivers, procurement, contracts and risk.
• Strong record of client leadership, negotiation, facilitation, problem solving and multidisciplinary team leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to coach others and raise the quality of team output.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related field preferred, or equivalent experience; relevant professional credentials valued.
• Professional credentials such as AIA/RA, PE, DBIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, PMP or comparable credentials are valued but not required.

Success Measures

• Complex pursuits are strategically positioned and preconstruction teams perform consistently.
• Major cost/design/risk issues are resolved before they become construction problems.
• Teams demonstrate stronger capability through coaching and oversight.
• Clients view XL as a problem-solving partner, not simply a source of pricing.
• Lessons learned and best practices improve subsequent pursuits and projects.

The anticipated base salary range for this Preconstruction Manager position in California is $157,840 to $205,000 per year. Actual pay will depend on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This range does not include bonus, benefits, or other forms of compensation.