Strategic Preconstruction Lead for Commercial Projects

D. Clugston, Incorporated; Apex (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and company holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

D. Clugston, Inc. is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager to lead the planning and development of commercial construction projects from concept through turnover to operations.

This leader will manage the entire preconstruction process, ensuring accurate budgets, strategic planning, and alignment with project scope. The role requires strong leadership, design-build awareness, and a collaborative approach to delivering high-quality projects in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience.
• Proven experience leading preconstruction efforts on commercial construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of commercial construction methods, materials, building systems, and sequencing.
• Experience developing conceptual budgets through final GMP or negotiated pricing.
• Demonstrated success in subcontractor solicitation, bid leveling, negotiation, and buyout.
• Excellent financial analysis and cost management skills.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of the preconstruction process from conceptual design through construction start.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining budget, schedule, and quality objectives.
• Establish and maintain preconstruction schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
• Facilitate internal preconstruction meetings and coordinate communication between all project stakeholders.
• Develop and continuously improve estimating procedures, preconstruction standards, and best practices.
• Mentor and support estimators and other preconstruction staff.
• Develop bid packages and scopes of work for all trade partners.
• Solicit, evaluate, level, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier proposals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with qualified subcontractors and vendors.
• Lead subcontractor selection and buyout while ensuring complete scope coverage.
• Develop procurement strategies for long-lead materials and critical equipment.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with owners, developers, architects, and consultants.
• Participate in client presentations, interviews, and proposal development.
• Present budgets, value engineering recommendations, and project updates to clients.
• Support business development efforts by providing technical expertise during project pursuit.
• Promote a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach that strengthens long-term client relationships.
• Lead the formal turnover process from Preconstruction to Operations.
• Conduct turnover meetings with Project Management, Superintendents and other key team members.
• Ensure all project budgets, estimates, scopes of work, assumptions, and procurement strategies are clearly documented and communicated.
• Coordinate final subcontractor buyout activities.
• Develop procurement schedules and identify long-lead items.
• Remain engaged during the early phases of construction to provide cost support, scope clarification, and budget assistance.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Preconstruction experience

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

Sage Construction

Microsoft Excel

Primavera P6

Job description

D. Clugston, Inc. is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager to lead the planning and development of commercial construction projects from concept through turnover to operations.

This leader will manage the entire preconstruction process, ensuring accurate budgets, strategic planning, and alignment with project scope. The role requires strong leadership, design-build awareness, and a collaborative approach to delivering high-quality projects in a fast-paced environment.