Strategic Pre-Construction Lead: Risk, Readiness & Execution

Jobtailor; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Construction Program Manager to lead project readiness from development through close in a dynamic, high-stakes environment. You will evaluate scope, schedule, budget, risks, and procurement strategy while coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure execution readiness and successful handoffs to Delivery.

The role requires 7+ years in preconstruction or related fields, strong communication skills, and the ability to influence without direct authority.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, construction management, project planning, or related disciplines.
• Strong understanding of project delivery, scheduling, procurement, risk management, and construction execution.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage complex stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead project readiness efforts from development through financial close.
• Evaluate scope, schedule, budget, constructability, procurement strategy, and project risks.
• Develop milestone schedules, savings forecasts, spend curves, and execution assumptions.
• Facilitate Joint Readiness Certifications and executive risk reviews.
• Conduct market, labor, regulatory, permitting, and contractor risk assessments.
• Lead Trade Partner Due Diligence and Permitting Due Diligence activities.
• Facilitate Risk Register development, reviews, and handoff to Project Controls.
• Identify and drive mitigation of cost, schedule, and execution risks.
• Coordinate pre-close execution planning and At-Risk activities.
• Support early procurement planning, utility interconnection efforts, site assessments, and environmental reviews.
• Prepare Internal Kickoff materials and execution readiness documentation.
• Plan and facilitate Project Launch sessions.
• Support development of the Project Execution Plan (PXP).
• Ensure effective transfer of project knowledge, risks, assumptions, and action items to the Delivery team.
• Collaborate with Development, Sustainability, Energy Analytics, Pre-Engineering, Pricing & Estimating, Legal, Financial Modeling, Supply Chain, Project Controls, and Delivery teams.
• Influence decisions and drive alignment without direct authority.

Skills

Project Management

Risk Management

Construction Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Scheduling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Project Management

Bachelor's degree in Business

Tools

Project Delivery

Estimating

Procurement Strategy

Milestone Scheduling

Risk Assessment

Execution Planning

Market Analysis

Financial Modeling

Environmental Review

Joint Readiness Certification

Job description

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Construction Program Manager to lead project readiness from development through close in a dynamic, high-stakes environment. You will evaluate scope, schedule, budget, risks, and procurement strategy while coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure execution readiness and successful handoffs to Delivery.

The role requires 7+ years in preconstruction or related fields, strong communication skills, and the ability to influence without direct authority.