Pre-Construction Project Manager/Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Reliance Construction is seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to lead preconstruction planning and estimating for federal construction, renovation, and mission-critical infrastructure projects.

This is a hands-on role combining preconstruction leadership with direct responsibility for developing accurate, complete, and competitive estimates. The Pre-Construction Manager will guide projects from initial opportunity and scope review through budgeting, subcontractor pricing, bid submission, and transition to the operations team following award.

Working closely with company leadership, Project Managers, Superintendents, design professionals, subcontractors, and suppliers, this individual will help establish clear scopes, realistic budgets, achievable schedules, and a thorough understanding of project risks before construction begins.

The ideal candidate brings strong general contracting knowledge, demonstrated estimating capability, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple pursuits while communicating effectively with both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

· Lead estimating and preconstruction activities. Manage projects and pursuits from initial opportunity review through estimating, bid development, proposal submission, and post-award handoff. Establish bid schedules, assign responsibilities and deliverables, and manage multiple concurrent pursuits.

· Review project and solicitation requirements. Analyze RFPs, IFBs, drawings, specifications, statements of work, contract documents, and addenda to develop a complete understanding of scope and pricing requirements. Identify scope gaps, discrepancies, site constraints, and potential cost or schedule impacts, and coordinate requests for clarification.

· Prepare budgets, takeoffs, and detailed estimates. Develop conceptual budgets, quantity takeoffs, and detailed estimates covering labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, general conditions, logistics, and other direct and indirect costs. Establish and document the basis of estimate, assumptions, allowances, contingencies, and pricing strategy.

· Develop subcontractor and supplier pricing. Identify qualified trade partners, prepare clear bid packages and scopes of work, solicit and level pricing, and evaluate proposals for scope completeness, exclusions, qualifications, and schedule commitments. Resolve scope gaps and overlaps prior to finalizing estimates.

· Evaluate constructability and execution requirements. Work with operations and field personnel to evaluate construction methods, sequencing, staffing, preliminary schedules, procurement requirements, and long-lead items. Incorporate site logistics, facility access restrictions, shutdowns, phasing, and other project-specific conditions into estimates and preconstruction plans.

· Support design development and cost analysis. Collaborate with architects, engineers, clients, subcontractors, and internal teams throughout design development. Evaluate constructability, cost impacts, value-engineering opportunities, and alternatives to maintain project requirements while supporting budget and schedule objectives.

· Coordinate bid and proposal development. Prepare estimate summaries, bid forms, pricing schedules, scope narratives, clarifications, assumptions, and supporting cost documentation. Track deadlines and addenda, incorporate revisions into the estimate, and coordinate with the proposal team to ensure all pricing and solicitation requirements are addressed.

· Lead scope, pricing, and risk reviews. Present estimates, subcontractor coverage, cost drivers, assumptions, exclusions, and unresolved issues to company leadership. Identify pricing and execution risks and recommend strategies to support informed bid decisions.

· Manage preconstruction-to-operations turnover. Conduct post-award turnover meetings and provide Project Managers with complete estimate files, subcontractor and supplier proposals, scope breakdowns, procurement requirements, schedule assumptions, design considerations, and identified risks.

· Strengthen estimating systems and trade relationships. Maintain organized estimating records, historical cost data, subcontractor databases, and market pricing information. Participate in post-bid reviews and estimate-to-actual cost comparisons with operations to continuously improve estimating accuracy and preconstruction practices.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in construction estimating, preconstruction, or project management.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop detailed, multi-trade construction estimates and coordinate competitive bids for commercial, industrial, or federal projects.
• Strong understanding of construction drawings, specifications, scopes of work, means and methods, subcontractor coordination, and labor, material, and equipment requirements.
• Experience developing subcontractor scopes, soliciting and evaluating pricing, identifying scope gaps, and assessing project cost and schedule risks.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines and work independently while coordinating with project teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel for site visits, pre-bid meetings, and project coordination as required.
• Ability to pass required background screenings and obtain access to federal facilities and secure project sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience, including responsibility for leading preconstruction or estimating efforts for a general contractor.
• Experience with federal, military, or mission-critical construction projects.
• Strong electrical and MEP estimating knowledge, particularly involving power distribution, generators, utility systems, controls, secure facilities, or other critical infrastructure.
• Experience with design-build, design-bid-build, and federal task-order contracts.
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS, applicable prevailing wage requirements, bonding, and federal proposal procedures.
• Experience with estimating and takeoff tools such as Bluebeam, PlanSwift, On-Screen Takeoff, or Sage Estimating.
• Familiarity with RSMeans cost data and scheduling platforms such as Microsoft Project or Primavera P6.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.

Compensation and Benefits

Reliance Construction offers competitive compensation based on experience, along with the following benefits:

• 401(k) with company matching
• Company truck
• Fuel card
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off and holidays

The position also offers opportunities for professional growth and advancement within a collaborative federal construction team.