Preconstruction Manager

Job Description

Job Description

At CMC Development & Construction, working together on Developing Tomorrow is our motto. Founded in 2016, CMC is a full-service General Contractor firm which provides services such as construction management, design-build, and project management and manages projects with industry-leading innovation. Ranked in the Top 25 General Contractors, CMC is responsible for over $70 million in construction in a variety of projects including commercial, civil, and development in Texas.

The Preconstruction Manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day preconstruction and estimating activities for assigned projects and pursuits from initial opportunity through turnover to Operations. This role develops accurate and competitive estimates, coordinates subcontractor and supplier participation, identifies project risks and opportunities, and works closely with the Preconstruction Executive to develop effective pursuit and pricing strategies. The Preconstruction Manager serves as a key link between Business Development, trade partners, design teams, and Operations to ensure projects are properly planned, priced, and positioned for successful execution.

Key Responsibilities:

Estimating & Preconstruction Management

• Lead assigned estimates, hard bids, CSP/RFP pursuits, CMAR proposals, Design-Build pursuits, JOC opportunities, and negotiated projects.
• Develop conceptual estimates, detailed estimates, budgets, GMP proposals, and final bid submissions.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop pricing for assigned scopes of work.
• Review drawings, specifications, addenda, and other contract documents to develop a complete understanding of project requirements.
• Develop detailed scopes of work and identify scope gaps, overlaps, exclusions, allowances, and project risks.
• Prepare estimate recaps, bid comparisons, and other documentation necessary for internal estimate reviews.
• Develop value engineering alternatives and cost-saving recommendations.
• Participate in constructability reviews, logistics planning, phasing evaluations, and preconstruction scheduling.
• Maintain organized and complete estimating files in accordance with CMC standards.
• Present estimates, assumptions, risks, and recommendations to the Preconstruction Executive and company leadership for review.

Trade Partner & Procurement Coordination

• Develop project-specific subcontractor and supplier bid lists.
• Solicit subcontractor and supplier pricing and actively manage bid coverage throughout the estimating process.
• Conduct subcontractor outreach to improve competition and participation in CMC pursuits.
• Review subcontractor proposals for scope completeness, qualifications, exclusions, and pricing.
• Prepare and maintain bid leveling and scope comparison documents.
• Coordinate with Procurement and Operations regarding bid packaging, subcontractor selection, long-lead materials, and early procurement opportunities.
• Maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and trade partners within assigned markets.

Pursuit & Proposal Support

• Partner with the Preconstruction Executive and Business Development to develop project-specific pursuit and pricing strategies.
• Participate in go/no-go evaluations by providing information regarding project complexity, subcontractor coverage, schedule, pricing, and risk.
• Provide estimating and technical information required for proposals, qualifications, and client presentations.
• Participate in client interviews, presentations, and preconstruction meetings as required.
• Support the development of project schedules, logistics plans, phasing strategies, and other technical proposal components.

Client & Design Team Coordination

• Participate in meetings with owners, architects, engineers, and consultants throughout the preconstruction process.
• Communicate budget impacts, constructability concerns, value engineering opportunities, and pricing changes to project stakeholders.
• Assist with design-phase cost management by tracking estimate changes as documents progress.
• Develop strong working relationships with clients and design partners through responsive and solution-oriented preconstruction services.

Project Handoff & Operations Coordination

• Coordinate with Operations throughout preconstruction to incorporate field experience and project execution considerations into estimates.
• Prepare complete estimate turnover documentation following project award.
• Participate in preconstruction-to-operations handoff meetings to communicate estimate assumptions, exclusions, allowances, subcontractor coverage, schedule considerations, and identified risks.
• Support scope reviews, buyout, and project startup activities to ensure continuity between the estimate and project execution plan.
• Participate in post-project reviews and compare estimated costs against actual project performance to improve future estimating accuracy.

Department Support & Development

• Support the Preconstruction Executive in implementing estimating standards, procedures, templates, and quality-control processes.
• Maintain and contribute to CMC’s historical cost database and estimating benchmarks.
• Assist with tracking departmental metrics including pursuit volume, hit rate, estimating accuracy, subcontractor participation, and bid coverage.
• Share lessons learned and market intelligence with other preconstruction and operations team members.
• Assist with mentoring and developing Estimators, Preconstruction Coordinators, and other junior preconstruction staff as the department grows.
• Maintain current knowledge of construction costs, subcontractor market conditions, material pricing, escalation, and industry trends.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in preconstruction, estimating, or construction management.
• Demonstrated experience developing estimates and managing commercial construction pursuits.
• Strong knowledge of quantity takeoffs, scope development, bid solicitation, bid leveling, subcontractor pricing, and construction documents.
• Experience with hard bid, CSP/RFP, CMAR, Design-Build, JOC, and/or negotiated project delivery methods.
• Strong understanding of commercial construction means and methods, sequencing, constructability, and subcontractor scopes.
• Ability to independently manage multiple estimates and pursuits while meeting established deadlines.
• Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Business Development, Operations, Procurement, clients, design teams, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Proficiency with platforms such as BuildingConnected, OST Estimating, Bluebeam, Microsoft Office, or equivalent construction estimating and collaboration platforms.
• LEED AP, DBIA, AACE, ASPE, or other relevant industry certifications are a plus.