Pre-Construction Manager

We’re looking for an experienced Preconstruction Manager to oversee estimating, budgeting, and project planning for commercial construction projects throughout the Kansas City area. This role leads the preconstruction process from initial project pursuit and conceptual estimates through final pricing and transition to construction. The ideal candidate combines strong estimating expertise with a thorough understanding of construction costs, value engineering, subcontractor procurement, scheduling, and project execution.

Responsibilities

• Direct preconstruction activities from initial project evaluation and pursuit through final budgeting, pricing, and handoff to the construction team.
• Develop conceptual estimates, preliminary budgets, detailed cost estimates, guaranteed maximum prices (GMPs), and final bid proposals.
• Analyze architectural, structural, civil, MEP, and specialty drawings and specifications to establish project scope and pricing.
• Identify design inconsistencies, scope omissions, constructability challenges, and potential budget risks before construction begins.
• Build detailed cost models and establish pricing strategies that account for project requirements, market conditions, and procurement considerations.
• Lead value-engineering reviews and recommend cost-saving alternatives without compromising quality, functionality, or design intent.
• Prepare scopes of work, subcontractor bid packages, and procurement plans for materials, equipment, and construction services.
• Solicit, evaluate, negotiate, and compare subcontractor and supplier proposals to secure competitive pricing and reliable coverage.
• Review bids for exclusions, overlapping scopes, pricing discrepancies, incomplete work, and other potential risks.
• Develop and refine project budgets as design documents progress and project requirements become more defined.
• Assess construction schedules, project phasing, site logistics, procurement lead times, and site-specific constraints.
• Coordinate with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers to resolve design questions and align project costs.
• Support preliminary scheduling, construction sequencing, site logistics planning, and material procurement strategies.
• Work with Project Managers, Superintendents, and field leadership to ensure budgets, scopes, schedules, and assumptions are clearly communicated during project handoff.
• Participate in client presentations, project interviews, proposal development, and business development pursuits.
• Present cost estimates, budget assumptions, project risks, value-engineering recommendations, and procurement considerations to leadership and clients.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, design professionals, subcontractors, suppliers, and other industry partners.
• Provide regular updates on estimating progress, budget changes, outstanding proposals, procurement considerations, and decisions requiring attention.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or commercial construction.
• 10+ years of overall commercial construction experience is preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of conceptual estimating, detailed cost estimating, project budgeting, cost analysis, and value engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to manage preconstruction activities through multiple phases of design development.
• Experience with various project delivery methods, including Design-Build, Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), negotiated contracts, hard bids, and select bidding processes.
• Ability to interpret architectural, structural, civil, MEP, and other technical construction drawings and specifications.
• Experience preparing scopes of work, bid packages, subcontractor procurement plans, and comprehensive project budgets.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, sequencing, constructability, procurement, scheduling, and site logistics.
• Proven ability to evaluate, negotiate, and level subcontractor and supplier bids.
• Knowledge of construction labor costs, material pricing, subcontractor markets, and current industry cost trends.
• Proficiency with estimating software, Microsoft Office, and construction management platforms.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple project pursuits, competing priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Must live in or be able to reliably commute to Lenexa or the greater Kansas City area.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Stable company with a strong commercial project backlog.
• Opportunity to lead preconstruction efforts across diverse market sectors.
• Direct exposure to executive leadership and key project stakeholders.
• Long-term career growth and leadership opportunities.
• Collaborative, team-oriented work environment.