The posting
We are seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager to lead estimating, budgeting, and planning for commercial construction projects throughout the Kansas City market.
This role oversees the entire preconstruction process, from initial project pursuit and conceptual budgeting through final pricing and handoff to construction. The ideal candidate brings strong estimating expertise, commercial construction knowledge, and the ability to evaluate project costs, constructability, procurement, scheduling, and execution strategies.
Working closely with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, Project Managers, Superintendents, and executive leadership, the Preconstruction Manager will develop competitive project budgets, identify potential risks, and establish clear plans for successful project delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the preconstruction process from initial project pursuit through final handoff to construction.
- Prepare conceptual budgets, preliminary estimates, detailed estimates, guaranteed maximum prices (GMPs), and final project pricing.
- Review architectural, structural, civil, MEP, and specialty drawings and specifications to develop accurate estimates.
- Identify scope gaps, design conflicts, constructability issues, and potential cost risks.
- Develop detailed cost models and pricing strategies based on project requirements, market conditions, and procurement needs.
- Lead value-engineering initiatives and recommend cost-effective alternatives while maintaining quality and design intent.
- Develop scopes of work, bid packages, and procurement strategies for subcontractors and suppliers.
- Solicit, evaluate, compare, negotiate, and recommend subcontractor and supplier proposals.
- Analyze bids to identify exclusions, scope overlaps, pricing discrepancies, and potential risks.
- Establish and maintain project budgets throughout design development and preconstruction.
- Evaluate project schedules, construction phasing, site logistics, procurement timelines, and site constraints.
- Coordinate with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers throughout the design and estimating process.
- Support preliminary scheduling, construction phasing, site logistics planning, and procurement strategies.
- Collaborate with Project Managers, Superintendents, and field leadership to ensure a smooth transition into construction.
- Participate in client presentations, project interviews, proposals, and pursuit strategy.
- Present budgets, estimating assumptions, risks, value-engineering opportunities, and procurement considerations to leadership and stakeholders.
- Maintain strong relationships with clients, design professionals, subcontractors, suppliers, and industry partners.
- Provide regular updates on estimating progress, project costs, outstanding bids, and key decisions.
Requirements
- At least 5 years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or commercial construction.
- 10+ years of overall commercial construction experience preferred.
- Extensive knowledge of conceptual estimating, detailed estimating, budgeting, cost analysis, and value engineering.
- Proven ability to manage preconstruction activities across multiple stages of design development.
- Experience with various project delivery methods, including Design-Build, Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), negotiated contracts, hard bids, and select bids.
- Ability to interpret architectural, structural, civil, MEP, and other technical construction documents.
- Experience developing scopes of work, bid packages, subcontractor procurement strategies, and project budgets.
- Strong understanding of construction methods, sequencing, constructability, procurement, scheduling, and site logistics.
- Experience evaluating, negotiating, and leveling subcontractor and supplier proposals.
- Knowledge of construction costs, labor, materials, subcontractor markets, and current pricing 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.
- Must reside 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.
