Preconstruction Manager

About the role

The Preconstruction Manager leads all regional estimating and preconstruction efforts, ensuring the consistent delivery of accurate, competitive, and compliant proposals across multiple service lines. Reporting to the VP of Pre-Construction, this role oversees estimating teams through service line Chief Estimators, allocates and prioritizes estimating resources, and ensures adherence to structured stage-gate and pursuit management processes.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all regional estimating efforts across multiple service lines, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and consistency.
• Oversee estimating teams through service line Chief Estimators; drive accountability, performance, customer relationship building, and output quality.
• Allocate and prioritize estimating resources across active pursuits to meet deadlines, internal and external stakeholder expectations and strategic priorities.
• Validate estimates for accuracy, including production rates, labor, subcontractor/vendor quotes, customer feedback, and assumptions.
• Lead and oversee disciplined quality control processes to ensure every estimate is accurate, fully vetted, and aligned with company standards.
• Participate in and influence Go/No-Go decision-making.
• Run bid reviews in compliance with Preconstruction Authorization to Proceed requirements, ensuring that the estimating and required documentation is prepared and ready for DOA reviews.
• Ensure all estimates and pursuits comply with FRS, Salesforce, and Loenbro preconstruction standards.
• Drive adherence to structured stage-gate and pursuit management processes.
• Maintain and continuously improve estimating systems and databases, including: HeavyBid / Accubid master estimates, cost history and production benchmarks, and ensure consistent utilization and compliant use of Salesforce and internal tracking tools for pipeline visibility and reporting.
• Support development, implementation, and enforcement of estimating SOPs and best practices.
• Champion operational discipline and standardization across regions and service lines.
• Lead, mentor, and develop regional estimating teams, with a strong focus on: Technical estimating capability, Commercial and risk awareness, Client relationship building, Career progression and bench strength, Hire and train new estimators as needed to support growth within the region, Develop and maintain relationships with SME's and Operational Management Team within the Region.
• Partner cross-functionally with: Operations and Project Delivery teams, Business Development and Sales, Finance and Executive Leadership, Ensure alignment between estimate strategy, execution approach, and operational readiness, Support seamless transition from preconstruction to project execution.

Expertise and Core Competencies

• Estimating Excellence - Deep technical understanding with strong commercial acumen.
• Leadership - Experience and ability to lead large, multi-layered teams through influence and structure.
• Operational Discipline - Driving estimating efficiency, process adherence, consistency, and scalability.
• Decision Making - Sound judgement in bid strategy, risk evaluation and prioritization.
• Adaptability - Thrives in fast-paced environments requiring rapid context switching.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7-10 years of progressive experience in estimating and pre-construction, including leadership responsibility of at least 5 years.
• Proven experience in overseeing multi-discipline/service line estimating efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams in a high volume, fast-paced bid environment.
• Strong understanding of: Construction processes, Budgeting, Scheduling, Risk management, Presentation and Negotiation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong internal and external client relationships.
• Advanced Proficiency in: Accubid, HeavyBid, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project or equivalent.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work Environment: Controlled Temperature Office Environment.
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions, uneven surfaces, elements out at job sites.
• Need to lift 50+ pounds, be confined at times in tight spaces.
• Occasional travel to regional job sites and corporate meetings.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, Paid time off (PTO) and holiday pay, Life and disability insurance, Professional development and training opportunities, Employee assistance program (EAP).