Senior Preconstruction Manager

The Preconstruction Manager / Senior Preconstruction Manager – Federal leads preconstruction and estimating efforts for complex federal projects, with a strong emphasis on design-build delivery. This role is responsible for developing and managing estimates from early conceptual planning through proposal submission and design development, while ensuring alignment with federal procurement requirements, owner criteria, design intent, and project execution strategy.

This position partners closely with owners, design teams, operations, and trade partners to develop competitive, comprehensive, and technically sound pricing strategies for federal best-value, and design-build pursuits. The role also supports proposal development, value analysis, constructability input, logistics planning, risk identification, and client presentations, while mentoring less experienced preconstruction professionals.

Essential Responsibilities

Responsibilities and essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead preconstruction planning and estimating efforts for federal design-build projects through all phases of design
• Analyze solicitations, RFPs, RFQs, bridging documents, drawings, specifications, and addenda to determine scope, pricing approach, proposal requirements, and pursuit strategy
• Review drawings, narratives, and specifications for completeness, coordination, and constructability before pricing
• Gather, calculate, and compile estimating data to support accurate budgets, proposals, and detailed estimates
• Develop pricing strategies that align with design-build delivery, evolving design documents, owner performance criteria, and schedule requirements
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, operations teams, and trade partners to evaluate design solutions, cost impacts, constructability, and schedule implications
• Perform quantity surveys and detailed takeoffs for applicable CSI divisions
• Establish estimate structure using appropriate cost codes, descriptions, and schedule of values
• Evaluate and level subcontractor and supplier proposals, develop scope sheets, and confirm coverage and compliance with project requirements
• Identify and price general conditions, site logistics, temporary facilities, staging, sequencing, and phasing requirements
• Conduct site visits and jobsite walkthroughs to understand existing conditions, access constraints, security considerations, utility impacts, and logistical challenges
• Prepare or review cut sections, elevations, and other exhibits needed to evaluate foundations, retaining walls, shoring, and interfaces with adjacent work or existing conditions
• Develop and price value engineering and value analysis options that improve cost, schedule, constructability, or long-term value while maintaining compliance with owner requirements
• Identify project risks and opportunities related to scope gaps, escalation, procurement, logistics, labor availability, permitting, and execution strategy
• Establish clarifications, assumptions, exclusions, and proposal narratives for assigned estimates and submissions
• Develop unit pricing for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontracted work
• Establish project-specific rates and factors, including labor burden, sales/use tax, risk considerations, and other estimate inputs
• Assemble final estimate packages, cost summaries, and schedules of values for internal review and owner presentation
• Support technical and price proposal development for federal and design-build pursuits, including coordination of cost narratives, assumptions, alternates, and proposal clarifications
• Assist in presenting budgets, estimates, and preconstruction recommendations to owners, design teams, and internal leadership
• Complete estimate turnover and closeout activities for awarded and unsuccessful pursuits, including documentation of lessons learned
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with subcontractors, designers, consultants, clients, and internal project teams
• Provide leadership, training, and mentorship to less experienced estimators and preconstruction team members

Education/Qualifications/Experience/Skills:

• Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in construction, Engineering, or a related field
  • 8–12 years of estimating experience, or a combination of estimating and project management experience
  • Demonstrated experience with federal construction projects
  • Demonstrated experience with design-build project delivery
  • Strong understanding of preconstruction services, conceptual estimating, quantity takeoff, subcontractor scope analysis, and cost planning
  • Builds relationships with Owners, Designers, and Subcontractors
  • Experience interpreting RFPs, RFQs, bid documents, proposal instructions, and technical project requirements
  • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment with owners, designers, operations teams, and trade partners during pursuit and preconstruction phases
  • Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to support proposal clarifications, assumptions, and cost narratives
  • Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
  • Superior organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • Innovative mindset and proactive approach to planning and solution development
  • Demonstrated proficiency with construction technology and estimating tools
  • Willingness to travel on an as needed basis

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with best-value procurement, two-phase federal pursuits, or other alternative delivery methods
  • Experience supporting secure, occupied, phased, or technically complex federal projects

  Key Competencies

  • Federal preconstruction and procurement understanding
  • Design-build estimating and collaboration
  • Conceptual and detailed estimating
  • Cost planning and value analysis
  • Risk identification and mitigation
  • Scope development and subcontractor leveling
  • Constructability and logistics planning
  • Proposal support and owner presentations
  • Leadership abilities

The above description covers the principal duties and responsibilities of the job.  The description shall not, however, be construed as a complete listing of all miscellaneous, incidental, or similar duties which may be required from day-to-day.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Brasfield & Gorrie is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/V/D.