Preconstruction Manager

About Us

Founded over 15 years ago, we are a commercial construction management firm partner in Washington, DC, known for community-enhancing projects across education, recreation, healthcare, institutional, and multifamily sectors. Our success is built on strong client and community partnerships, and most importantly, on investing in our people - reflected in industry recognition as a Best and Great Place to Work, a 95% employee retention rate, and leadership honored at the highest levels. We offer top-tier benefits, flexible work options, and robust professional development to empower more than 100 team members to grow personally and professionally. In recent years, we've doubled in size, expanded to multiple new offices, earned ENR Best Project awards, and deepened our philanthropic impact locally and globally - all while remaining 100% driven to build stronger communities together.

Position Overview

The Preconstruction Manager leads the preconstruction phase for commercial and institutional projects, coordinating estimating, value engineering, and client engagement to deliver accurate budgets, competitive bids, and constructible designs. This role partners with project teams, architects, and owners to define scope, mitigate risk, and establish cost-effective strategies for ground-up and renovation projects across multifamily, healthcare, educational, K-12, and library sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all preconstruction activities including conceptual estimating, detailed takeoffs, bid preparation, and proposal development for commercial and institutional projects.
• Develop accurate, competitive estimates and budgets using historical data, supplier/vendor input, and first-principles estimating methods; maintain estimate documentation and assumptions.
• Collaborate with owners, architects, engineers, and project teams to review designs, identify constructability issues, recommend cost-saving alternatives, and implement value engineering solutions.
• Prepare and present preconstruction reports, cost models, risk registers, and bid proposals to internal leadership and clients; clearly communicate scope, contingencies, and schedule impacts.
• Coordinate subcontractor and vendor outreach, solicit competitive scopes and pricing, evaluate bids, and build comprehensive subcontract packages.
• Manage takeoff workflows, estimating standards, and maintain estimating software and template libraries to ensure consistency and quality control.
• Support pursuit strategy by contributing to business development efforts, qualifications, and proposal responses; attend client meetings and pre-bid conferences to represent the estimating team.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior estimators and preconstruction staff; drive continuous improvement in processes, estimating accuracy, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ensure alignment of preconstruction deliverables with project schedules, procurement strategies, and site logistics for ground-up and renovation projects.
• Monitor market trends, material and labor cost fluctuations, and regulatory impacts to update estimates and advise leadership on risk and contingency planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of progressive preconstruction or estimating experience in large-scale ($20MM+) commercial and institutional construction, with demonstrated experience in multifamily, healthcare, educational/K-12, and recreational projects.
• Proven expertise in conceptual and detailed estimating, quantity takeoffs, cost modeling, and value engineering for ground-up and renovation projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction means and methods, subcontract scopes, scheduling, procurement, and constructability review.
• Experience managing subcontractor procurement, bid evaluation, and developing comprehensive subcontract packages.
• Proficient with estimating and takeoff software (e.g., Procore, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Sage Estimating or similar) and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and client-facing skills; able to clearly articulate cost drivers, risks, and recommendations to owners and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple pursuits and fast-paced bid schedules.
• Leadership experience mentoring and developing junior estimators and facilitating cross-functional teamwork.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 100% company paid healthcare for employee + 75% for dependents
• HSA
• Performance-based bonuses
• 401(k) with company match up to 6%!
• Paid time off (20 days vacation + 7 days sick)
• Auto allowance
• ...and much more!

For this position, you must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship for a non-immigrant visa.