Pre-Construction Manager - Lead Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY

A well-established commercial general contractor is looking to add a Pre-Construction Manager/Lead Estimator to its growing team. This is an excellent opportunity to join a company with a strong reputation in the education market, working on meaningful projects from preconstruction through award. The ideal candidate will have experience estimating ground-up and renovation K-12 projects and be comfortable managing multiple bids while collaborating with project teams, subcontractors, and owners.

The successful candidate is a construction professional, not simply an estimator. They understand how projects are built because they've managed work in the field and can accurately translate construction means and methods into competitive, profitable estimates. They enjoy mentoring others, collaborating with operations, and leading the company's preconstruction efforts. This individual is comfortable presenting to owners, challenging design assumptions, identifying project risks, and helping shape winning proposals while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and professionalism.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead all preconstruction and estimating efforts for commercial construction projects ranging from $1 million to $50+ million, including negotiated, CMAR, Design-Build, and competitive hard-bid work.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop an estimating team consisting of estimators in both the San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth offices.
• Establish estimating standards, procedures, quality control, and bid review processes across the company.
• Prepare and review conceptual budgets, schematic estimates, design development estimates, GMP proposals, and final bid estimates.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs, scope reviews, subcontractor comparisons, and pricing analysis.
• Develop construction logistics, phasing plans, general conditions, and scheduling assumptions that accurately reflect project execution.
• Lead subcontractor outreach, scope leveling, and value engineering discussions to maximize competitiveness while maintaining project quality.
• Participate in owner presentations, CMAR interviews, design meetings, and preconstruction planning sessions.
• Work closely with Operations to ensure seamless turnover from estimating through construction.
• Identify project risks, constructability concerns, schedule impacts, and cost-saving opportunities early in the design process.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Maintain and improve historical cost databases, production rates, and estimating best practices.

REQUIREMENTS

• 8+ years of commercial construction experience with at least 5 years in estimating and significant field or project management experience.
• Demonstrated experience estimating commercial construction projects from $5 million to $50+ million , including new construction, renovations, occupied renovations, and phased construction.
• Proven leadership experience managing or mentoring estimating personnel.
• Strong understanding of construction means, methods, sequencing, logistics, scheduling, and risk management.
• Experience with negotiated work, CMAR, Design-Build, Design-Assist, and competitive hard bid procurement.
• Ability to independently prepare conceptual estimates from limited information and progressively refine budgets throughout design.
• Strong understanding of subcontractor procurement and market pricing.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to represent the company in owner interviews and design meetings.
• Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or equivalent field experience preferred.

SOFTWARE SKILLS

Bluebeam, On-Screen Takeoff or equivalent takeoff software, Microsoft Excel (Advanced), Procore, Microsoft Project (MUST KNOW HOW TO SCHEDULE)