Preconstruction Manager

Job Description

PRECONSTRUCTION MANAGER – Shape the Plan. Create the Value. Set Projects Up to Win.

Cornerstone General Contractors | Anchorage, Alaska

More than estimating. An opportunity to shape projects before construction begins.

At Cornerstone, we build more than commercial construction projects; we build trusted relationships, exceptional teams, and stronger communities throughout Alaska.

Since 1993, we’ve earned our reputation as a 100% Alaskan-owned, managed, and staffed contractor by solving complex construction challenges and investing in the people who make our projects successful.

We’re seeking a Preconstruction Manager who understands that some of the most important decisions on a project happen long before anyone mobilizes to the site.

This role brings clients, designers, estimators, operations teams, subcontractors, and suppliers together to turn an evolving design into a project that can actually be built; within the right budget, schedule, procurement strategy, and risk profile.

If you enjoy solving problems early, creating clarity from complexity, and helping project teams start construction with confidence, we’d like to meet you.

Why This Role Matters

Great projects rarely happen by accident. They begin with strong planning, informed decisions, realistic budgets, thoughtful constructability, and alignment between everyone responsible for delivering the work.

As a Preconstruction Manager, you’ll help establish that foundation. You’ll serve as a primary point of coordination throughout preconstruction, helping clients and project teams understand how design decisions affect cost, schedule, procurement, constructability, and risk. Your leadership will influence the project well before construction begins and directly impact how successfully it performs once it reaches the field.

Your work helps Cornerstone protect project outcomes, strengthen client relationships, reduce uncertainty, and create a seamless transition from concept to construction.

What You’ll Do (The Impact You’ll Have)

Lead Preconstruction

Guide assigned projects from notice of award and conceptual planning through final pricing and turnover to Operations. You’ll establish milestones, responsibilities, deliverables, and communication expectations while keeping clients, designers, Estimating, Operations, subcontractors, and suppliers aligned around a clear path to construction.

Shape Design, Constructability & Value

Evaluate evolving designs through the lens of how the project will actually be built. You’ll identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, cost impacts, schedule constraints, and opportunities to create better value, then coordinate the right people to evaluate alternatives and drive recommendations through resolution.

Manage Cost & Budget Alignment

Keep project scope and budget connected throughout design development. You’ll support estimating and cost planning, establish estimate milestones, reconcile changes, evaluate market conditions and escalation, and clearly communicate cost drivers, assumptions, contingencies, risks, and opportunities so stakeholders can make informed decisions.

Build the Schedule & Procurement Strategy

Develop preconstruction schedules that connect design, estimating, permitting, decision-making, procurement, and construction milestones. You’ll identify long-lead items, market constraints, logistics considerations, and procurement risks early enough for project teams to act before they affect execution.

Identify & Manage Risk

Create visibility into the issues that can affect project success before construction begins. You’ll evaluate risks related to scope, budget, schedule, design, procurement, constructability, and project delivery and work with project stakeholders to develop practical mitigation strategies.

Build Trusted Client Relationships

Serve as a trusted preconstruction partner by communicating clearly, presenting information transparently, and helping clients understand both the opportunities and tradeoffs behind important project decisions. Your ability to turn complex information into actionable recommendations will help strengthen relationships that extend beyond a single project.

Create a Strong Transition to Construction

Make sure the project team starts with the information needed to execute successfully. You’ll lead the transition to Operations by clearly communicating the basis of estimate, scope, schedule, procurement strategy, commitments, risks, decisions, and outstanding issues developed during preconstruction.

Support Winning Pursuits

Bring preconstruction expertise into strategic pursuits by supporting estimating, scheduling, technical narratives, and proposal development. Your understanding of how projects should be planned and delivered will help Cornerstone demonstrate credibility before the project is awarded.

What You Bring

The strongest candidates understand that successful federal construction is built long before a project breaks ground. They combine technical expertise with strategic thinking, relationship building, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results.

You'll likely thrive in this role if you enjoy identifying opportunities, supporting business development, collaborating across multiple teams, solving complex challenges, and helping organizations grow through strong client relationships and disciplined execution.

Ideal candidates:

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• Bringing 7+ years of progressively responsible commercial construction experience across preconstruction, estimating, project management, project engineering, field operations, or a combination of these disciplines.
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• Leading commercial projects through design development, estimating, constructability, value management, scheduling, and procurement planning.
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• Managing project budgets and translating design decisions, market conditions, and project risks into clear financial recommendations.
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• Coordinating clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, estimators, and operations teams around shared project objectives.
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• Managing multiple projects, priorities, decisions, and deadlines while maintaining clarity, accountability, and strong client communication.
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Experience That Will Set You Up Well

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• 10+ years of vertical commercial construction experience.
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• Commercial construction experience in Alaska.
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• Previous experience as a Preconstruction Manager, Senior Estimator, Project Manager, Superintendent, or similar construction leader.
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• Experience delivering CM/GC, Design-Build, negotiated, qualifications-based, or other collaborative project-delivery methods.
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• Experience with BIM/model-based design coordination and constructability review.
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• Advanced proficiency with estimating, cost-planning, and takeoff software.
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• Professional certifications in estimating, construction management, project management, or preconstruction.
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Your career doesn’t have to follow one path.

Some of the strongest preconstruction leaders come from Estimating. Others come from Project Management, field operations, or a combination of disciplines. If you understand how commercial construction comes together and have demonstrated an ability to lead people through complex project decisions, we encourage you to apply even if your background doesn’t match every preferred qualification.

Our philosophy is simple:

Leaders who create value should share in the success they help create.

What You Get (Total Rewards That Actually Matter)

Compensation

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• $120,000 - $165,000+ DOE
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• Performance bonus opportunities
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• Advancement opportunities based on contribution and leadership
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Health & Wellness

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• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
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• Plans backed by trusted national carriers (BlueCross BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, VSP, Express Scripts)
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• Benefits designed to provide real, reliable value; not just coverage on paper
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• Wellness support that encourages long-term health and balance
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Time & Flexibility

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• Generous PTO that allows you to recharge and manage life outside of work
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• Paid holidays plus a company-wide break from Christmas through New Year’s
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• Paid volunteer time to give back to your community
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• A culture that respects personal time and sustainable performance
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Your Future

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• 401(k) with profit sharing of at least 3% or more, depending on company performance
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• Performance-based incentives aligned with company success
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• Opportunities for growth and expanded responsibility
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• Support for continued learning and professional development
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Where We Go Beyond the Market

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• Wellness stipend for real-life use
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• Referral bonuses plus additional PTO
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• Merit-based advancement driven by performance; not tenure
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• Life-event support programs
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• PTO donation program to support team members during times of need
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Our Culture

At Cornerstone, we believe exceptional projects are built by exceptional people. We trust our team members to take ownership, solve problems, and support one another while delivering quality work our clients can depend on.

We recognize performance, invest in professional growth, and create opportunities for people who are ready to take on new challenges. Collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement are part of how we work every day, because our success is measured not only by the projects we build, but by the people and relationships we build along the way.

Why Cornerstone

Here’s what sets Cornerstone apart and why people choose to build their careers here.

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• Fair, performance-based pay aligned with your contributions
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• A strong, team-first environment where people support each other
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• Meaningful work that keeps projects and operations moving forward
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• A company that invests in your whole life, not just your role
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Shape the Plan. Create the Value. Set Projects Up to Win.