Senior Preconstruction Manager - Mission Critical

Clayco; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Medical, dental, vision

401k

Generous PTO

Job summary

Clayco in Phoenix seeks a senior leader to drive preconstruction design-build pursuits across Institutional, Industrial, Commercial, Healthcare and Residential sectors. You will guide high-level estimating, lead multi-unit proposals, and ensure accurate scopes and pricing.

Collaborating with VPs and project execs, you will mentor junior staff, refine value engineering, and present client-ready solutions. The role rewards strategic thinking and fast-paced leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction-related field.
• 10+ years estimating commercial construction projects >$50M.
• Ability to lead bids across Commercial, Industrial, Healthcare, Institutional, and Residential.
• Knowledge of building methods, materials, and trade practices.
• Experience with preconstruction meetings.
• Supervisory experience mentoring junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Identify projects to pursue with business unit leaders and project executives.
• Lead the team to prepare accurate proposals.
• Develop scope of work for each trade and review with subs.
• Oversee subcontractor selection and final owner presentations.
• Prepare and price value engineering items.
• Train and mentor junior estimating staff.
• Maintain master subcontractor/vendor lists by trade.
• Assist project managers in contracts and change orders.
• Develop historical data for unit pricing and general conditions.

Skills

Estimating

Leadership

Preconstruction

Mentoring

Multi-market

Takeoff software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management / Engineering / Architecture or related

Tools

Estimating software

Quantity takeoff software

Job description

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for mission critical, industrial, life sciences, power & energy, aviation, commercial, institutional, residential and sports & entertainment related building projects.

The Role We Want You For

This is a senior leadership role for our preconstruction team. In this role you will be responsible for high level management of design-build project pursuits and preconstruction efforts across business units. You will work collaboratively with the VP of Preconstruction and other Preconstruction team members. You will provide expertise across all Business Units, working with Business Unit Leaders, Project Executives, and Senior Management.

The Specifics of the Role

• Work with Business Unit Leaders (Institutional, Industrial, Residential/Hospitality, Commercial) and Project Executives to identify projects to pursue
• Lead the team to prepare accurate proposals
• Develop scope of work for each trade
• Review scopes with subcontractors
• Oversee subcontractor selection process
• Prepare final estimates for owner presentation
• Present to clients and owners
• Review construction documents for value engineering
• Prepare and price the value engineering items
• Train and mentor junior estimating staff
• Maintain master subcontractor/vendor lists by trade
• Assist project managers in negotiation of contracts, change orders, etc.
• Maintain and develop historical data for unit pricing
• Develop general conditions for review with project management

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related
• 10+ years of estimating commercial construction projects ($50+ million)
• Capability to lead project pursuits in multiple market sectors including Commercial, Industrial, Healthcare, Institutional, and Residential
• Demonstrated knowledge of building construction, materials, systems, market conditions, and trade practices
• Knowledge of estimating and quantity takeoff software
• Experience leading Preconstruction meetings
• Previous supervisory experience managing and mentoring junior staff

Some Things You Should Know

• No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
• The pace is fast!

Why Clayco?

• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2025 ENR Top 400 – Top Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.