Pre-Construction Manager

Job Summary

The Preconstruction Manager is responsible for managing all estimating and budgeting activities for assigned projects. This role leads a team of estimators, ensures cost data is complete and accurate, and collaborates with internal and external partners to deliver high-quality, competitive proposals. This role also directly prepares project cost estimates and proposals on pursuits to support business unit objectives. The Preconstruction Manager plays a key role in client interface, design coordination, and project transition to operations.


Essential Duties

• Oversee and manage the full preconstruction process for assigned pursuits from conceptual budgeting through final estimate.
• Evaluate design documents for constructability, scope clarity, risk exposure, and opportunities for optimization.
• Lead development of estimates, proposals, and VE strategies for high-value or strategic projects.
• Review and validate estimate quality, assumptions, subcontractor comparisons, and scope coverage prepared by the team.
• Lead design-assist and design-build estimating efforts, coordinating with internal engineering, operations, and external design teams.
• Direct the preparation of RFP responses, cost narratives, scope exhibits, and presentation materials.
• Lead client-facing scope reviews, interviews, and pursuit presentations; communicate assumptions, exclusions, risks, and value-added options.
• Supervise and mentor Estimators and Senior Estimators; balance workloads across pursuits.
• Maintain knowledge of labor trends, market pricing, productivity factors, and competitive conditions.
• Support subcontractor negotiation by validating scope alignment and confirming pricing assumptions.
• Drive process consistency, documentation standards, and estimating best practices across the team.
• Lead transition meetings to operations to ensure clarity of scope, risks, and key assumptions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline preferred.
• Equivalent field experience may be considered.
• 8-15+ years of mechanical estimating or preconstruction experience, including 2-3 years managing teams or early involvement projects.
• Comprehensive technical expertise in mechanical systems, constructability, and procurement methodologies.
• Strong understanding of design documents, project delivery methods (plan-spec, design-assist, design-build), and contractual terms.
• Proven ability to manage full preconstruction efforts from conceptual budgeting through GMP proposal.
• Proficiency in cost modeling, risk evaluation, and scope definition for complex and multi-phase projects.
• Skilled at leading project-specific estimating teams, coordinating input from engineering, operations, and business development.
• Ability to influence design and procurement decisions through technical knowledge and cost insight.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of articulating strategies to clients, designers, and leadership.
• Strategic thinker who anticipates challenges, identifies opportunities, and leads collaborative solutions.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills to develop estimating staff.
• High proficiency in estimating tools, cost databases, and cost data presentations.
• High proficiency with estimating software Microsoft Excel and Bluebeam.
• Operates with initiative, accountability, and a results-driven mindset.

Grow Your Career with TDIndustries

Founded in 1946, TDIndustries is a premier, employee-owned Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) company delivering full-lifecycle building solutions-from design and construction to service and facilities maintenance. We power critical environments like hospitals, schools, data centers, stadiums, and commercial buildings across Texas and the Southwest.

Our Partners (employees) are the core of our success. As an employee-owned company, you have a voice, a stake, and a clear path to grow. Recognized by FORTUNE Magazine as a "100 Best Company to Work For," we invest in top training, career development, and a culture built on trust and servant leadership.

Join a growing team where your skills matter, and your future is built to last.

At TDIndustries, we believe opportunity should be built - and shared - by all. Whether you work with tools or technology, in the field or the office, we hire and grow people based on skill, potential, and integrity - never labels. We value the diverse paths that bring people to our team and welcome Partners of all backgrounds, including differences in race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, ability, military service, and more. What matters most is how we work together to build excellence.