Pre-Construction Manager

We are seeking a seasoned Pre-Construction Manager to take ownership of the estimating and planning process for commercial construction projects across the Kansas City market.

This role will guide projects from early pursuit and conceptual budgeting through final pricing and handoff to the construction team. The right candidate will bring strong estimating expertise, commercial construction knowledge, and the ability to work effectively with clients, design teams, subcontractors, and internal operations.

You will play a key role in developing competitive, accurate project budgets while identifying risks, improving constructability, and creating a clear roadmap for project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the preconstruction process from initial project pursuit through final handoff to operations.
• Develop conceptual budgets, preliminary estimates, detailed estimates, and final project pricing.
• Review plans, specifications, and design documents to identify scope, pricing, and constructability issues.
• Analyze architectural, structural, civil, MEP, and specialty scopes to develop complete project estimates.
• Lead value-engineering efforts and recommend cost-effective alternatives without compromising project requirements.
• Develop scopes of work and bid packages for subcontractors and suppliers.
• Solicit, evaluate, compare, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier proposals.
• Level bids and identify scope exclusions, overlaps, gaps, and pricing risks.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, cost models, and pricing strategies.
• Identify potential schedule, procurement, logistics, and construction risks before projects enter the field.
• Work with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers throughout design development.
• Support project scheduling, phasing, site logistics, procurement planning, and execution strategies.
• Partner with Project Managers, Superintendents, and field leadership to ensure an effective transition into construction.
• Participate in client presentations, interviews, proposals, and project pursuit activities.
• Provide leadership with clear updates on estimating status, project costs, risks, and procurement considerations.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, design professionals, subcontractors, suppliers, and industry partners.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or commercial construction.
• 10+ years of overall commercial construction experience preferred.
• Strong experience with conceptual estimating, detailed estimating, budgeting, cost analysis, and value engineering.
• Experience with multiple project delivery methods, including Design-Build, CMAR, negotiated, hard bid, and select bid.
• Strong ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and technical documentation.
• Proven experience developing scopes, bid packages, and subcontractor procurement strategies.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, constructability, procurement, scheduling, and project logistics.
• Experience negotiating and leveling subcontractor and supplier proposals.
• Proficiency with estimating software, Microsoft Office, and construction management platforms.
• Strong communication, negotiation, organization, analytical, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple pursuits and projects while meeting tight deadlines.
• Must be located in or able to reliably commute to Lenexa or the greater Kansas City area.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Stable company with a strong commercial project backlog.
• Opportunity to lead preconstruction efforts across diverse market sectors.
• Direct exposure to executive leadership and key project stakeholders.
• Long-term career growth and leadership opportunities.
• Collaborative, team-oriented work environment.