Preconstruction Manager

Location: Asheville, NC
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: On-site
Average Salary: $120,000 – $150,000 per year 

About the Organization

Our client is a well-established commercial construction company specializing in delivering high-quality construction solutions across healthcare, education, and municipal sectors. The organization is committed to excellence, integrity, teamwork, and innovation while creating long-term value for clients and communities. With a strong reputation for successfully managing complex construction projects, the company provides a collaborative environment where professionals can contribute to impactful developments, work alongside experienced industry leaders, and grow their careers. The organization emphasizes safety, operational excellence, strong client relationships, and delivering projects with exceptional quality standards.

Position Overview

We are seeking a driven and experienced Preconstruction Manager to lead and manage the preconstruction phase of commercial construction projects. This role will oversee estimating, budgeting, scheduling, client coordination, and project planning while working closely with Operations teams to ensure a seamless transition from concept through construction execution.

The ideal candidate will have strong commercial construction experience, expertise in estimating and preconstruction processes, and the ability to manage relationships with clients, design partners, subcontractors, and internal teams. Experience with Construction Management-at-Risk (CMAR) and Design-Build  project delivery methods is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Preconstruction Leadership

• Lead all aspects of the preconstruction process, including budgeting, estimating, scheduling, and client coordination.
• Manage preconstruction deliverables from initial concept through project handoff.
• Develop and maintain preconstruction schedules, milestone tracking, and project planning documents.
• Partner closely with Operations teams to align scope, logistics, constructability, staffing, scheduling, and execution strategies.

Estimating & Cost Management

• Prepare detailed cost estimates, quantity takeoffs, value engineering analyses, and GMP proposals.
• Review project documents, specifications, and drawings to identify cost impacts and potential risks.
• Analyze subcontractor and supplier pricing to ensure accurate and competitive project budgets.
• Provide cost recommendations and strategies to support successful project outcomes.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Support business development activities, including proposals, interviews, conceptual budgeting, and client presentations.
• Lead client-facing discussions related to cost updates, scope alignment, and value engineering opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers, trade partners, and internal teams.

Project Planning & Coordination

• Provide constructability input during the design phase to minimize risks and improve project execution.
• Identify opportunities to control costs, improve efficiency, and enhance project delivery.
• Coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers to support successful project planning.
• Ensure a smooth transition from preconstruction to Operations teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in commercial construction with strong estimating, preconstruction, and/or operations leadership experience.
• Experience managing trade partner pricing efforts and client-facing project deliverables.
• Strong understanding of CMAR and Design-Build delivery methods.
• Ability to analyze construction costs, project risks, and financial strategies.
• Strong knowledge of construction documents, specifications, contracts, and building processes.
• Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced construction environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with healthcare, education, or municipal construction projects.
• Experience managing large-scale commercial construction projects.
• Strong network and experience working with subcontractors and trade partners.
• Proven ability to lead presentations and collaborate with clients and design teams.