Preconstruction Manager - Cleveland

About the role

Higley Construction is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager to oversee and lead the preconstruction process across a diverse range of commercial construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the entire preconstruction process from project pursuit/bidding through final pricing and contract execution.
• Participate in competitive bidding, GMP development, and contract negotiations, supporting clear scope definitions and pricing strategy.
• Cook up and manage the design schedule and deliverables, ensuring alignment with project milestones and overall project delivery plans.
• Collaborate with external design teams to ensure that scope, performance, and constructability are integrated into the evolving design.
• Work with internal stakeholders to identify and mitigate project risks during early design phases, including scope gaps, schedule impacts, and budget constraints.
• Manage all estimating functions during the preconstruction phase, including assigning and allocating appropriate resources for project pursuits.
• Oversee and maintain accountability for Estimating staff for assigned projects.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, the design community, and trade partners to support and enhance future business development opportunities.
• Cook up General Conditions and General Requirements (GC/GR) estimates to ensure accuracy and consistency with project scope.
• Provide accurate and timely design-phase (Concept, SD, DD, CD) estimates, incorporating allowances where documentation is incomplete.
• Cook the efforts of estimators, schedulers, and other support staff to develop complete and consistent preconstruction deliverables.
• Manage preconstruction efforts in strict alignment with the terms and requirements of the owner contract, including scope deliverables, schedule, and communication protocols.
• Provide value engineering input and alternative solutions that meet or exceed the design intent while improving budget, schedule, or operational goals.
• Prepare and deliver preconstruction reports, including cost projections, risk assessments, and timeline forecasts, to clients and senior management.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and vendors to support market-accurate pricing, scope development, and strategic buyout planning.
• Cook closely with the Business Development team to align project strategies with sales objectives and ensure seamless integration with pursuits, interviews, and client-facing deliverables.
• Track and report performance metrics for assigned projects, pursuits, and deliverables to ensure alignment with company goals and continuous improvement efforts.
• Lead preconstruction presentations, cost updates, and strategy meetings with owners, design teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Support the transition from preconstruction to operations, ensuring project intent and deliverables are well-communicated to the project team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related field preferred (or equivalent industry experience).
• 10+ years of construction industry experience, experience in a preconstruction leadership role at a general contractor, construction management firm, or related field is a plus.
• Experience with commercial project types such as interior fit-outs, ground-up buildings, healthcare, education, corporate, or multi-family a plus.
• Experience with Beck DESTINI software a plus.

Skills and Abilities

• Proven leadership in guiding complex preconstruction efforts on commercial construction projects.
• Understanding of Subcontractor/Supplier markets including fostering & maintaining relationships to attract bidders on CMR, D/B and Lump Sum deliveries.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing means and methods, and systems across all major trades.
• Ability to assess and manage design documentation and provide cost input during early and evolving stages.
• Highly effective communicator—comfortable presenting to executives, owners, and design teams.
• Skilled in strategic planning, risk mitigation, and value engineering.
• Proficient in preconstruction tools including OST (On-Screen Takeoff), Bluebeam, Building Connected and Excel.
• Comfortable managing multiple active projects and shifting priorities in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and guide junior staff.
• Collaborative, solutions-driven mindset with strong interpersonal and leadership skills.