Senior Preconstruction Manager

The Senior Preconstruction Manager Leads the design/preconstruction phase for XL's larger, more complex, strategic or higher-risk opportunities, either as the primary preconstruction leader or through the leadership of other preconstruction team members. Performs the full responsibilities of a Preconstruction Manager as required by the assignment, while bringing a higher level of strategic leadership, judgment and capability to complex work. Sets direction for the design phase, creates alignment across the O/A/C team, shapes pursuit and delivery strategy, aligns design with budget and schedule, drives risk and opportunity management, and acts as a trusted advisor to clients, designers, trade partners and internal leadership. Provides oversight, coaching and development to other team members where assigned. Ensures preconstruction outcomes position projects for both a successful award and successful execution.

Key Responsibilities

Preconstruction Leadership & Integration

• Lead complex or strategic preconstruction assignments and establish the operating rhythm for multidisciplinary teams.
• Provide oversight, quality assurance and problem-solving support to Preconstruction Managers and project teams.
• Resolve competing cost, design, schedule, commercial and client priorities and drive timely decisions.
• Lead alignment sessions and major design-phase meetings when needed to restore clarity, trust and accountability across the O/A/C team.
• Ensure transition-to-operations planning is complete, transparent and actionable.

Cost Planning, Estimating & Commercial Strategy

• Validate cost strategy, major assumptions, estimate completeness, trade coverage, escalation, contingency and commercial risk on complex work.
• Lead executive estimate/GMP reviews and ensure the cost plan remains connected to design maturity and procurement timing.
• Guide teams in benchmarking, option analysis, market testing and cost-informed decision making.
• Identify opportunities to improve fee, risk position and overall project value without compromising client outcomes.
• Lead commercial recovery strategies when preconstruction/design-phase service costs are trending above plan, including Owner negotiations where appropriate.

Design Management, Constructability & Value

• Set design-management strategy for complex pursuits and ensure design scope, deliverables, responsibility and decision-making are clear.
• Lead difficult design-to-cost conversations and develop alternatives that balance performance, quality, schedule, risk and cost.
• Coach teams in design reviews, design risk management, consultant coordination and value strategy. Ensure design development supports procurement and construction sequencing. Lead design-phase pull planning and ensure design, permitting, procurement and construction milestones are integrated into one executable strategy.
• Drive opportunities for prefabrication, manufacturing and other delivery innovations by influencing design early rather than evaluating them after design is complete.

Schedule, Procurement, Logistics & Risk

• Validate procurement, schedule and risk strategies for complex projects and ensure they support the overall win and delivery plan.
• Lead major risk workshops and challenge teams to quantify, mitigate, transfer or deliberately retain risk.
• Use trade-partner and market intelligence to shape packaging, sequencing and design decisions.
• Ensure strategic risks and opportunities are elevated to leadership early and with recommended actions.

Pursuits, Clients & Business Development

• Shape win themes, technical strategy and differentiation for major pursuits.
• Help form strategic pursuit teams, including A/E and key design-assist partners, and establish clear roles, responsibilities and decision rights.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients and designers, using strong listening and facilitation skills to uncover priorities and resolve competing interests.
• Support interviews, negotiations and executive-level client engagement.
• Build external networks and maintain awareness of market trends, competitors and upcoming opportunities.

People, Process & Continuous Improvement

• Coach, mentor and, where assigned, manage Preconstruction Managers and other preconstruction staff.
• Review work quality, support assignments and workload planning, and help develop multidisciplinary capability.
• Lead improvements to tools, standards, templates and preconstruction processes.
• Model strong leadership across teams without relying on formal reporting relationships.

Qualifications & Experience

• Typically 10+ years of progressively responsible relevant experience, with demonstrated leadership of complex preconstruction, design, estimating or project-delivery assignments.
• Career experience may come from a general contractor, architecture/engineering firm, design-management consultancy, cost consultant, developer/owner or a combination of these environments.
• Proven ability to lead large or complex projects from early concept through procurement/GMP/contract agreement and successful transition to construction.
• Advanced understanding of building systems, design processes, construction planning, cost drivers, procurement, contracts and risk.
• Strong record of client leadership, negotiation, facilitation, problem solving and multidisciplinary team leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to coach others and raise the quality of team output.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related field preferred, or equivalent experience; relevant professional credentials valued.
• Professional credentials such as AIA/RA, PE, DBIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, PMP or comparable credentials are valued but not required.

Success Measures

• Complex pursuits are strategically positioned and preconstruction teams perform consistently.
• Major cost/design/risk issues are resolved before they become construction problems.
• Teams demonstrate stronger capability through coaching and oversight.
• Clients view XL as a problem-solving partner, not simply a source of pricing.
• Lessons learned and best practices improve subsequent pursuits and projects.

The anticipated base salary range for this Preconstruction Manager position in California is $157,840 to $205,000 per year. Actual pay will depend on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This range does not include bonus, benefits, or other forms of compensation.