Career

Preconstruction Manager

Preconstruction & Estimating

Runs everything that has to happen before a shovel hits the ground, estimating, scheduling, and design coordination pulled into one team's responsibility.

What is a Preconstruction Manager?

A Preconstruction Manager leads a project's preconstruction phase, coordinating estimating, scheduling, constructability review, and early design input so a project is well-planned and biddable before construction starts. Rather than owning one piece of preconstruction directly, the role manages the team members (estimators, schedulers) who do, and represents preconstruction's interests in conversations with designers and owners.

What they do

Lead the preconstruction team through conceptual, schematic, and final estimating phases
Coordinate constructability reviews, flagging design issues before they become expensive change orders
Develop the project's preliminary schedule alongside the scheduling team
Present preconstruction budgets, schedules, and risk assessments to ownership
Manage the transition from preconstruction to the construction team once a project is awarded
Build and maintain relationships with architects and owners during the pursuit and design phases

A typical day

8:00 AMReview a conceptual estimate with the estimating team ahead of an owner presentation
9:30 AMLead a constructability review meeting with the design team
11:30 AMPresent a preliminary budget and schedule to a prospective owner
1:30 PMCoordinate with the scheduling team on sequencing options for a complex phased project
3:30 PMMeet with the operations team to plan the handoff of an awarded project

Skills

Estimating and cost planning oversightConstructability reviewScheduling fundamentalsClient-facing communication and presentationTeam leadership across estimating and scheduling functions

Software

BluebeamScheduling and estimating software

Education

Required:: High school diploma or equivalent, since no certification or license is legally required for this role
Preferred:: Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field, plus significant experience in estimating or project management
Helpful:: Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential
Not necessary:: A specific preconstruction degree, since this role is almost always reached by being promoted up from Estimator or Senior Estimator

Career progression

1.Senior Estimator
2.Preconstruction Manager
3.Director of Preconstruction
4.VP of Preconstruction

Who hires for this role

General ContractorsConstruction Management Firms