Senior Project Manager

Coakley & Williams Construction; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Coakley & Williams Construction in Bethesda, MD seeks a Senior Preconstruction Manager to lead complex preconstruction and estimating for commercial projects from $5M to $50M. You will win work, build client relationships, and guide teams through design-build pursuits from bid to hand-off.

The role requires strong leadership, client-facing communication, and keen Estimating judgment. You will mentor staff and collaborate with leadership to shape bid strategy and project transitions, with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, business, engineering, or related field.
• Minimum five years of estimating/preconstruction experience on projects $5–$50M.
• At least two years communicating directly with owners and architects.
• At least two years bidding on public/government design-build projects.
• General knowledge of all construction trades.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Bluebeam.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with clients and pursue new construction opportunities.
• Secure work aligned with profitability guidelines and manage project risk.
• Build relationships with owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors.
• Represent the company at industry events and networking opportunities.
• Lead bid pursuits, including client communication, estimates, scopes, and VE.
• Lead teams on design-build pursuits and mentor junior staff.
• Develop bid strategy with preconstruction and leadership teams.
• Coordinate with Operations to support bid outcomes and transitions.
• Stay current on market trends and subcontractor availability.
• Lead preconstruction meetings and client presentations, defend estimates.
• Coordinate post-bid reviews and negotiate parameters with senior leadership.
• Help enforce policies to improve preconstruction efficiency.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Bluebeam

Client communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Business, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Bluebeam

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Preconstruction Manager – Main Office (Bethesda, MD)

Coakley & Williams is currently seeking a Senior Preconstruction Manager to lead complex preconstruction and estimating efforts for commercial construction projects ranging from $5 million to $50 million. This role is ideal for a construction professional who understands how to win work, build trusted client relationships, lead design-build pursuits, and guide teams through the full preconstruction process.

Key Responsibilities

• Communicate with clients and actively participate in business development efforts to identify and pursue new construction opportunities.
• Secure new work that aligns with profitability guidelines while identifying, addressing and managing project risk.
• Build and strengthen relationships with owners, architects, engineers, construction managers, subcontractors, and other project stakeholders.
• Represent the company at industry organizations, networking events, career fairs, trade shows, and other market-facing events.
• Lead bid pursuits and preconstruction assignments, including client communication, plan interpretation, quantity surveys, estimates, scopes of work, bid lists, sub-bid analysis, bid clarifications, and value engineering.
• Lead teams of architects, engineers, and preconstruction managers on design-build pursuits.
• Train and mentor less experienced Preconstruction team members by providing guidance, answering questions, and sharing practical construction and estimating knowledge.
• Collaborate with Preconstruction team members and senior leadership to develop bid strategy.
• Coordinate with Operations to support successful bid outcomes and smooth project transitions.
• Stay current on construction market trends, including cost trends, pricing trends, competition, subcontractor availability, and owner selection criteria.
• Apply knowledge of the local subcontractor market to make informed decisions when selecting subcontractors for bids and estimates.
• Lead preconstruction meetings and client presentations, including defending estimates, managing expectations, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead post-bid reviews with owners and coordinate with senior leaders on negotiation parameters.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies and procedures that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Preconstruction department.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• At least five (5) years of experience in estimating/preconstruction on projects ranging from $5 to $50 million.
• At least two (2) years of experience communicating directly with owners and architects.
• At least two (2) years of experience bidding on public/government design‑build projects.
• General knowledge of all construction trades.
• Fluency with Microsoft Office and Bluebeam.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands.

Preferred Qualifications

• One or more years of experience in business development.
• One or more years of experience leading design‑build pursuits.

Why Join the Company?

This is an opportunity to take a senior role in the pursuit and preconstruction process, working closely with clients, design partners, subcontractors, Operations, and company leadership. You will have a direct impact on the work the company wins, the risks it manages, and the quality of the handoff from preconstruction to construction.

The right person will bring strong estimating judgment, confidence in client‑facing settings, and the ability to lead teams through complex design‑build and public/government pursuits. You will also have the opportunity to mentor others, improve department processes, and help shape how the company approaches future work.

Wage Transparency

In accordance with the Maryland Wage Transparency Law, the base salary range for this position is $130,000.00 – $180,000.00 per year.

Benefits

The company offers a comprehensive total compensation and benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision coverage, employer‑matched 401(k), paid time off and holidays, performance‑based bonuses, wellness program, and other voluntary benefits and leave types.

Job Demands

Individuals should be able to reach, sit, walk, and stand as required; lift, carry, and move items up to 50 lbs. Workers may be exposed to heavy machinery/equipment, hazardous chemicals, and extreme weather conditions. Minimum of 40 hours per week. Work hours may vary and might involve weekends and nights.

Additional Note

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work required and are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, physical demands, or working conditions associated with the job.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Coakley & Williams Construction is an Equal Opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, protected veteran status, or any other status prohibited by applicable law. We promote a drug‑free workplace.