Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Project Manager

Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Project Manager

Commercial General Contractor | Multifamily & Commercial Construction

We are looking for an experienced Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Project Manager to join our team and take ownership of complex projects from early concept through construction turnover.

This is not an entry-level or takeoff-only estimating position.

We are looking for a construction professional who has personally led significant estimates and understands the complete preconstruction process—from conceptual budgeting and design development through subcontractor bidding, value engineering, final pricing, buyout, and turnover to the project team.

Our projects include garden-style multifamily, podium and mixed-use construction, commercial tenant improvements, ground-up commercial construction, and renovations.

What You'll Do

You will take the lead during preconstruction and work directly with developers, owners, architects, consultants, subcontractors, and our Operations team.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead projects from conceptual budgeting through final pricing and construction turnover.
• Develop conceptual, schematic, design-development, and construction-document estimates.
• Manage the preconstruction schedule and key deliverables.
• Lead preconstruction meetings with owners and design teams.
• Provide ongoing cost feedback as the design develops.
• Develop scopes of work and subcontractor bid packages.
• Solicit, level, and analyze subcontractor proposals.
• Identify missing scope, risk, constructability issues, and cost exposure.
• Lead value engineering and provide practical cost-saving alternatives.
• Identify long-lead items and procurement risks.
• Assist with project logistics, phasing, preliminary scheduling, and procurement strategy.
• Maintain strong subcontractor participation and relationships.
• Work closely with Operations to ensure the project is priced the way it will actually be built.
• Provide a thorough turnover to the Project Manager and Superintendent when the project moves into construction.
• Build strong relationships with owners, developers, architects, consultants, and subcontractors.

What We're Looking For

Required:

• 10+ years of commercial construction experience.
• 5+ years of estimating and/or preconstruction experience.
• Experience personally leading estimates for complex commercial or multifamily construction projects.
• Experience developing conceptual budgets from incomplete drawings.
• Strong knowledge of subcontractor scopes, bid leveling, buyout, construction costs, and market conditions.
• Strong understanding of construction means, methods, sequencing, logistics, and constructability.
• Ability to confidently communicate with owners, developers, architects, subcontractors, Project Managers, and Superintendents.
• Proven ability to take ownership of projects and manage multiple deadlines.

Experience with multifamily, podium, mixed-use, commercial TI, and ground-up commercial construction is strongly preferred.

Existing relationships with developers, architects, subcontractors, and consultants are a major plus.

Before You Apply

We are looking for someone with substantial hands-on estimating and preconstruction experience. Please be prepared during the interview process to discuss the following:

1. Your five largest successful estimates

Please be prepared to highlight the five largest projects you personally led the estimate or preconstruction effort on that were ultimately awarded and constructed.

For each project, be prepared to discuss:

• Project type and location
• Approximate construction value
• Size and complexity
• Your specific role
• Delivery method
• Stage at which you became involved
• Major estimating or preconstruction challenges
• Final outcome

2. Your conceptual estimating experience

Be prepared to provide examples of projects where you developed a meaningful budget with incomplete drawings or early design information and explain how you developed and validated the estimate.

3. Your preconstruction experience

Please provide examples where you worked directly with an owner/developer and architect during design to manage the project toward an established construction budget.

4. Value engineering

Be prepared to discuss a project where your recommendations resulted in a significant cost savings, constructability improvement, or schedule advantage.

5. Project types

Candidates should be able to demonstrate meaningful experience with complex commercial construction. Experience with multifamily, podium, mixed-use, commercial TI, or ground-up commercial construction is strongly preferred.

Deal-Killer Qualifications

This position is probably not the right fit if:

• You do not have at least 10 years of commercial construction experience.
• You have not spent at least 5 years in estimating and/or preconstruction.
• Your experience is primarily residential single-family construction.
• Your estimating experience has primarily consisted of takeoffs rather than ownership of complete estimates.
• You have not personally led estimates for significant commercial construction projects.
• You are not comfortable developing budgets before drawings are complete.
• You have limited experience soliciting, leveling, and analyzing subcontractor bids.
• You are uncomfortable presenting budgets, cost issues, or value-engineering recommendations directly to owners, developers, and architects.

The Person We're Looking For

We aren't looking for someone who simply knows estimating software.

We're looking for a construction professional who happens to be an excellent estimator.

You understand how buildings actually go together. You can spot problems in drawings before they become problems in the field. You know how to get meaningful subcontractor coverage. You can defend your estimate, challenge assumptions professionally, and help an owner or architect make better decisions.

Most importantly, you take ownership.

If that describes your background, we'd like to talk.

Position: Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Project Manager
Employment: Full-Time
Industry: Commercial General Contracting / Multifamily Construction

Pay: $120,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person