Project Preconstruction Manager - Commercial Construction GC

Project Preconstruction Manager – Commercial Construction

Denver, CO | On-Site | Preconstruction / Estimating / Client Strategy
Estimated Compensation: $134,000 – $171,000 base salary, depending on experience

A highly respected national commercial general contractor with a strong and established presence in the Rocky Mountain region is seeking a Project Preconstruction Manager to lead preconstruction strategy, estimating coordination, cost planning, and client-facing deliverables for complex building projects.

This is a strong opportunity for a senior-level preconstruction professional who can manage GMP and lump sum bid efforts, partner closely with operations, communicate effectively with owners and design teams, and help guide projects from early concept through final preconstruction deliverables.

This position is not remote or hybrid and will be based out of a Denver-area office and/or active project location.

Position Overview

The Project Preconstruction Manager will be responsible for leading and managing preconstruction activities for assigned projects, including budget development, estimating milestones, constructability reviews, value engineering, target value design, schedule alignment, logistics planning, and owner/design team coordination.

The ideal candidate will bring strong commercial building experience, executive-level communication skills, a deep understanding of estimating and construction operations, and the ability to build trusted relationships with clients, architects, engineers, trade partners, and internal project teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction deliverables, including Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) packages, lump sum bids, budget updates, estimate milestones, and owner-facing submissions.

• Partner with operations leadership on project schedule, logistics, safety planning, constructability reviews, general conditions, and general requirements.

• Develop, review, and approve project assumptions, clarifications, inclusions, exclusions, and scope narratives.

• Build and maintain relationships with clients, architects, engineers, design partners, consultants, and trade partners.

• Support future business development by strengthening client relationships and identifying opportunities to add value early in the project lifecycle.

• Coordinate with procurement and estimating teams on preconstruction estimates, trade partner input, bid coverage, and market pricing.

• Lead preconstruction review meetings with owners, architects, engineers, and internal project stakeholders.

• Prepare comparison analyses against previous estimates and clearly explain scope, pricing, and design-development variances.

• Establish preconstruction quality control processes for scope reviews, estimate reviews, and milestone deliverables.

• Identify opportunities to improve the preconstruction process through VDC, BIM, Integrated Project Delivery, lean methods, and other collaborative planning tools.

• Coordinate project launch planning, estimate milestone schedules, responsibility matrices, meeting cadence, and internal alignment.

• Participate in and contribute to constructability reviews at key design and estimate milestones.

• Work with lean planning resources to develop pull plans for design, estimating, GMP, and project launch schedules.

• Generate and manage Budget Control Reports between milestone estimates to track cost events, scope development, and value engineering opportunities.

• Provide variance reports for milestone estimates to communicate cost movement and scope evolution to project stakeholders.

• Lead Target Value Design efforts on applicable projects.

• Manage the preconstruction budget for assigned projects, including recoveries, invoicing support, and monthly financial updates.

• Hire, onboard, mentor, coach, and provide performance feedback to direct reports or supporting preconstruction team members when applicable.

• Support training and professional development needs within the preconstruction group.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Building Construction, or a related field preferred.

• Minimum of 10 years of building construction experience, ideally with significant exposure to preconstruction, estimating, project management, purchasing, or operations.

• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience will be considered.

• Experience across a variety of commercial building types preferred.

• Thorough understanding of drawings, specifications, general contracts, subcontract documents, materials, means and methods, and construction sequencing.

• Strong knowledge of construction cost, scheduling, estimating, purchasing, engineering principles, and accounting fundamentals.

• Ability to develop client relationships, identify sales or pursuit opportunities, and collaborate on solutions that help secure work.

• Strong knowledge of the regional construction market, competition, trade partner landscape, and industry trends.

• Ability to provide accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of estimating documents.

• Advanced project management skills with the ability to manage high volumes of work and move complex projects forward on deadline.

• Prior management experience required, including the ability to coach and mentor others.

• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence, engage, and align stakeholders.

• Executive-level presentation skills with the ability to anticipate audience needs and tailor communication appropriately.

• High-energy, self-directed approach with the ability to see initiatives through to completion.

• Strong process orientation, critical thinking, sound judgment, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to leverage lean construction concepts, continuous improvement methods, and collaborative planning tools.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $134,000 – $171,000, with final compensation determined by experience, education, technical background, specialty expertise, market factors, and overall fit.

A comprehensive benefits package is available and may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage

• 401(k) and retirement-related benefits

• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options

• Wellness benefits

• Life insurance

• Short-term and long-term disability coverage

• Paid vacation, sick/wellness time, and holidays

• Paid parental leave

• Tuition reimbursement

• Employee referral bonuses

• Additional discretionary or appreciation-based compensation programs

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

This role is primarily office-based but will require occasional travel to project sites, client meetings, project offices, and off-site venues. The selected candidate should be comfortable sitting for extended periods, working at a computer, reviewing construction documents, participating in meetings, traveling locally or regionally, and occasionally accessing active construction work areas.

The role may require lifting or moving up to 20 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally. Project site visits may involve exposure to typical construction conditions, including moving equipment, elevated work areas, airborne particles, outdoor weather, electrical hazards, and moderate to loud noise levels.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.