Senior Manager, Preconstruction & Estimating

Job Responsibilities

• Own the accuracy, integrity, and margin impact of our preconstruction estimates across assigned programs — accountable for pricing outcomes, not oversight only.
• Evaluate team structure, right-sizing, and capability gaps across Estimators and Assistant Preconstruction staff.
• Lead and supervise direct reports: Assistant Preconstruction, Estimators, and Program / Project Management staff supporting preconstruction exercises.
• Refine and improve operational procedures across preconstruction workflows; establish standards for conceptual, schematic, design development, and GMP estimates.
• Develop and maintain our estimating systems and infrastructure: the preconstruction relational database (historical cost, schedule, bill of materials), pricing templates, Basis of Estimate standards, and communication/coordination tools.
• Direct investment in Technology and Finance support to keep the database accurate and current.
• Lead preconstruction pricing exercises end-to-end: subcontractor outreach (including Building Connected setup and coordination), RFP compilation, pricing documents, price leveling, and award recommendations.
• Develop program and project risk analyses; escalate risks clearly and proactively to Leadership.
• Lead both internal and Client-directed Value Engineering efforts.
• Develop initial DMC project schedules and construction schedules during the preconstruction phase; establish schedule assumptions that Program Management inherits at handoff.
• Track design scope through preconstruction; immediately escalate changes that affect budget or schedule, with clear impact, timeline, and recommended action.
• Lead the transfer of key estimating information to internal customers — Program and Project Management, Design, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Construction, and Finance — so that estimates live as operational truth after handoff.
• Take direct control of estimates or pursuits in serious jeopardy — pricing disputes, rapidly changing scope, significant client-side escalations — and return them to a defensible, margin-safe state.
• Present and defend pursuit and pricing reviews to Executive Leadership.
• Lead, in collaboration with the Head of Construction Engineering and Director of Field Operations, the development of scalable field self-perform estimating tools; facilitate field-ops estimating (quantity takeoffs, labor estimates, work plans) and constructability reviews with field trade experts.
• Lead or support the buyout of subcontractor and supplier agreements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Estimating & Preconstruction team; accountable for their performance, retention, and professional development.
• Champion safety and quality culture throughout the preconstruction process.

Client & Commercial Leadership

• Develop and maintain C-suite-level relationships with Client preconstruction and estimating leaders, representing us at the highest levels of client organizations during pursuit.
• Lead all Client presentations related to pricing, preconstruction, and Value Engineering; accountable for all materials presented to Clients or potential Clients.
• Manage the coordination interface with the Client’s preconstruction and estimating teams: progress communication, technical options, problems and opportunities, and GMP preparation inputs.
• Contribute to our strategic pipeline decisions — provide input on which programs, clients, and pursuits we commit to, based on margin viability, capacity, and strategic fit.
• Support our Commercial / Business Development team in the review and analysis of technical proposal requirements, preparation of proposals and pricing, and participation in meetings with potential Clients.
• Build and maintain positive relationships across our DMC ecosystem — subcontractors, general contractors, design consultants, vendors, Architects, Engineers, and Owner’s representatives.
• Support the CEO, CCO, and VP of Programs in the negotiation of Client contracts

Job Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Data Analytics, or related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in the construction industry, including 4+ years in Preconstruction and Estimating.
• Demonstrated accountability for the estimating and preconstruction function across one or more programs totaling more than $100M in annual pursuit value.
• Demonstrated C-suite-level client and commercial partner relationships during pursuit and negotiation — not just estimator-to-estimator contacts.
• Proven ability to build, restructure, and right-size an estimating and preconstruction team.
• Demonstrated ability to take direct control of a pursuit or estimate in serious jeopardy (scope, client-relationship, or pricing crisis) and return it to a defensible state.
• Proven track record presenting and defending pursuit and pricing reviews with Executive Leadership.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills; ability to synthesize complex pricing information for Executive Leadership and C-suite client audiences.
• Strong financial acumen; ability to make sound pricing decisions with explicit margin accountability.
• Advanced proficiency in estimating technology and preconstruction platforms (Building Connected, Sage Estimating, Timberline, WinEst, or comparable).
• Advanced proficiency in scheduling; ability to direct scheduling work across multiple platforms (MS Project, Primavera P6, and Smartsheet) and set estimating-phase scheduling standards.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for program-level pricing and risk analysis.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Bluebeam.
• Expert negotiator with a fair and ethical mindset; ability to lead pricing strategy, subcontract negotiations, and client contract support.
• Strategic and operational leadership capacity.
• Ability to travel up to 25% depending on pursuit activity and client engagement needs.