Preconstruction Manager

Position Summary

Leads the design and preconstruction process for assigned pursuits and projects from early opportunity through contract/GMP agreement and transition to operations. Integrates client goals, design development, cost planning, estimating, design and construction schedules, entitlements/permitting, long-lead procurement, constructability, risk and value strategy into a coordinated plan. Creates a positive and cohesive Owner/Architect/Contractor (O/A/C) team and serves as the central connector among the Owner, design team, trade partners, estimating resources and project delivery team, with a clear expectation of no surprises for the Owner.

Key Responsibilities

Preconstruction Leadership & Integration

• Define the project-specific preconstruction plan, deliverables, responsibilities and decision milestones.
• Lead regular preconstruction meetings and coordinate Owner, architect/engineer, estimating, operations, scheduling, VDC, sustainability and trade-partner input.
• Maintain alignment among scope, design, budget, schedule, procurement strategy and client priorities.
• Establish team alignment, roles and responsibilities early in the design phase and actively manage team health, accountability and decision-making.
• Coordinate entitlements, permitting and existing-conditions validation where these activities affect design, cost, schedule or project viability.
• Plan and execute an effective handoff from preconstruction to the project execution team.

Cost Planning, Estimating & Commercial Strategy

• Own the cost-management process from conceptual planning through detailed estimate/GMP or bid, coordinating estimating resources rather than requiring the role to personally perform every takeoff.
• Develop, test and communicate assumptions, allowances, alternates, escalation, contingencies and cost risks.
• Lead estimate reviews, scope reconciliation, bid leveling and budget updates; explain cost drivers clearly to clients and design teams.
• Support general conditions/general requirements, staffing plans, fee strategy and commercial qualifications.
• Support management of preconstruction/design-phase service budgets, consultant agreements, trade-partner agreements, projections and billings as appropriate to the assignment.

Design Management, Constructability & Value

• Manage design-to-budget activities and facilitate Target Value Delivery/Design, value engineering and option analysis.
• Coordinate design reviews for constructability, completeness, coordination, code/permitting implications, logistics, sustainability and long-lead impacts.
• Track design decisions, open issues and owner requirements; ensure changes are understood in terms of cost, schedule and risk.
• Work with architects and engineers to develop buildable, coordinated and cost-effective solutions while respecting design intent and client requirements.
• Coordinate consultant and design-assist/design-build trade-partner onboarding, scopes and interfaces so design responsibilities are complete and gaps are identified early.
• Use structured decision tools such as Options Analysis/A3s and decision logs to make cost, schedule and design impacts visible before major decisions are made.

Schedule, Procurement, Logistics & Risk

• Develop and maintain the preconstruction schedule and contribute to conceptual construction schedules, phasing and logistics plans.
• Develop procurement and bid-package strategy with operations and estimating, including early packages and long-lead items.
• Develop early design-assist/design-build trade-partner strategies and ensure scopes align with the Architect/Engineer of Record and construction requirements.
• Facilitate risk and opportunity workshops; maintain a clear risk register with owners, actions and commercial/schedule implications.
• Engage trade partners early to validate constructability, pricing, lead times and market capacity.

Pursuits, Clients & Business Development

• Lead or contribute to RFP deliverables including budget, schedule, logistics, approach, interviews and technical content.
• Support selection and onboarding of A/E teaming partners for collaborative and design-build pursuits, including clear scopes, deliverables and design-phase responsibilities.
• Develop project-specific win strategies with Business Development and Operations.
• Serve as a primary day-to-day preconstruction contact and build trusted relationships with clients, designers and consultants.
• Represent XL clearly and credibly in presentations, working sessions and negotiations.

People, Process & Continuous Improvement

• Coach and support less-experienced team members and share knowledge across estimating, design and operations disciplines.
• Use XL systems and technology effectively and contribute to improvements in preconstruction workflows.
• Apply XL best practices for budget communication, design-phase pull planning, constructability back-checks, risk workshops and pre-GMP execution planning.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, inclusive participation and constructive challenge.
• Capture lessons learned and apply them to future pursuits and projects.

Qualifications & Experience

• Typically 7+ years of relevant experience in commercial construction, design, engineering, architecture, cost planning/estimating, project management, construction management or a related field; equivalent demonstrated capability will be considered.
• Relevant backgrounds may include: general-contractor estimating/preconstruction; construction project management; design management; architectural project management; engineering project management; cost consulting; or owner/developer project management with strong construction exposure.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and making decisions across cost, design, schedule, procurement and risk.
• Working knowledge of building systems, construction means and methods, design development and project delivery. Strong estimating literacy is required; a career spent primarily as an estimator is not.
• Experience with negotiated work and collaborative delivery; design-build/design-assist experience is strongly valued.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional credentials such as AIA/RA, PE, DBIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, PMP or comparable credentials are valued but not required.

Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities

Integrated project thinking; cost and estimating literacy; design coordination; constructability; schedule and procurement planning; risk management; client communication; facilitation; negotiation; written and presentation skills; collaboration; working knowledge of BIM/VDC and common preconstruction technology.

Success Measures

• Projects maintain clear alignment among client requirements, design, cost, schedule and procurement.
• Risks and decisions are surfaced early and managed transparently.
• Preconstruction deliverables are accurate, timely and useful to both the client and execution team.
• Strong transition and continuity into construction.
• Positive client, designer, trade-partner and internal-team feedback.

The anticipated base salary range for this Preconstruction Manager position in California is $123,120 to $160,000 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.