Preconstruction Manager

WHO ARE WE? With over 40,000 units completed, Fortune-Johnson is the premier contractor for building multifamily projects in the Southeast and Mid‑Atlantic. Our construction projects showcase a wide range of product types, including garden‑style apartments, retirement communities, student housing, high‑density, and mixed‑use developments. Fortune‑Johnson takes pride in our industry‑leading record of completing assignments on time and within budget. POSITION SUMMARY Fortune‑Johnson General Contractors is seeking a Preconstruction Manager to join our team. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, embraces ambiguity, thinks proactively, and brings an uncompromising standard of excellence to every phase of the preconstruction process. This position will lead all preconstruction efforts from conceptual budgeting through project turnover, ensuring projects are competitively positioned, financially sound, and operationally executable. The Preconstruction Manager will serve as a trusted partner to clients, architects, consultants, subcontractors, and internal operations teams while driving collaboration, accountability, and successful project outcomes. The role combines strong estimating and technical expertise with leadership, relationship management, and business acumen, supporting business development efforts, mentoring team members, and shaping the overall preconstruction strategy for the organization. PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Lead the full preconstruction process from conceptual estimating through GMP development and project turnover. Manage and oversee multiple project pursuits simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met with a high level of accuracy and professionalism. Develop conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, value engineering options, and cost analyses throughout all phases of design. Review drawings, specifications, and bid documents to identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, and cost impacts. Lead subcontractor and vendor outreach efforts, including solicitation, bid leveling, scope review, and final recommendation analysis. Establish and maintain strong relationships with owners, developers, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and internal operations teams. Collaborate closely with Project Management and Field Operations teams to ensure seamless project transition and alignment between estimating, scheduling, logistics, and execution strategies. Facilitate and lead preconstruction meetings with clients, design teams, and internal stakeholders. Provide strategic input related to market conditions, escalation trends, procurement challenges, and construction methodologies. Support business development efforts through client interaction, proposal support, presentations, and participation in interviews. Mentor and support estimators and other preconstruction team members, helping elevate department processes, consistency, and performance. Manage estimates and budgets within Timberline and maintain accurate historical cost data for future use. Oversee permit tracking, contract exhibits, and other preconstruction documentation to ensure accuracy and timely completion. Continuously evaluate and improve preconstruction procedures, systems, and best practices. DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related discipline preferred. 8+ years of construction estimating and/or preconstruction experience, preferably within a commercial general contracting environment. Strong understanding of construction means and methods, materials, scheduling, logistics, and project execution strategies. Demonstrated ability to lead complex preconstruction efforts and manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Strong local subcontractor and vendor market knowledge. Prior field or operations experience is a plus. Advanced computer proficiency, including Timberline, Cortex, Bluebeam, Excel, and PowerPoint. Strong financial and analytical acumen with the ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and cost data at a high level. Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to lead meetings and build strong client relationships. Proven leadership skills with the ability to mentor team members and foster collaboration across departments. Highly organized, proactive, and capable of operating with a strong sense of urgency. Ability to maintain focus and make sound decisions in a high‑volume, fast‑paced environment. Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and accountability. Our goal at Fortune‑Johnson is to recruit, hire, and maintain a diverse workforce. Equal employment opportunity is good business as well as being the law and applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, selection, hiring, training, transfer, promotion, termination, compensation, and benefits. Fortune‑Johnson provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr