We are seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager to lead planning, estimating, budgeting, and bid strategy for commercial construction projects throughout the Kansas City region. This role oversees the preconstruction process from initial feasibility and design development through final pricing, subcontractor selection, and transition to the construction team.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in commercial construction, advanced estimating capabilities, and experience managing multiple preconstruction phases. This individual will play a key role in controlling project costs, identifying value-engineering opportunities, and developing competitive, profitable project proposals.
Responsibilities
- Lead preconstruction planning, feasibility assessments, estimating, budgeting, and final bid development.
- Develop conceptual budgets, detailed cost estimates, guaranteed maximum price (GMP) proposals, and final project pricing.
- Review architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings to define project scope, evaluate costs, and identify gaps or conflicts.
- Develop project-specific pricing models and assess financial risks based on current market conditions.
- Lead value-engineering efforts to identify cost-effective design and material alternatives while maintaining quality standards.
- Develop trade scopes, bid packages, subcontractor invitations, and procurement strategies.
- Manage subcontractor and supplier outreach, proposal evaluations, negotiations, and bid comparisons.
- Identify and resolve pricing discrepancies, exclusions, overlapping scopes, and unpriced work.
- Update project budgets as designs, client requirements, and specifications evolve.
- Evaluate construction sequencing, schedules, site constraints, and material lead times during preconstruction.
- Coordinate with clients, architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers throughout the planning process.
- Partner with project managers and field leaders to transition approved budgets, scopes, schedules, and pricing assumptions into construction.
- Support client presentations, project interviews, proposals, and business development initiatives.
- Present cost forecasts, estimating assumptions, project risks, and potential savings to leadership and clients.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or commercial construction.
- 10+ years of overall commercial construction experience preferred.
- Strong background in conceptual and detailed estimating, budgeting, cost analysis, and value engineering.
- Experience managing projects through multiple design and preconstruction phases.
- Knowledge of Design-Build, Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), negotiated contracts, hard bids, and competitive procurement.
- Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings and specifications.
- Experience developing subcontractor scopes, bid packages, procurement strategies, and project budgets.
- Strong understanding of construction methods, sequencing, scheduling, logistics, and purchasing timelines.
- Proven ability to evaluate, negotiate, and compare subcontractor and supplier proposals.
- Knowledge of labor rates, material costs, subcontractor availability, and construction market trends.
- Proficiency with estimating software, Microsoft Office, and construction management platforms.
- Excellent financial analysis, negotiation, communication, and relationship-management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple bids and competing deadlines.
- Must live within commuting distance of Lenexa or the greater Kansas City area, or be able to commute reliably.
Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Paid time off and company holidays.
- Established company with a strong commercial project pipeline.
- Leadership opportunities across diverse commercial projects.
- Direct collaboration with executive leadership and key stakeholders.
- Career advancement and opportunities for increased leadership responsibility.
- Collaborative, team-oriented culture.