Pre-Construction Manager - Janus

Overview

The Pre‑Construction Manager is responsible for leading all pre‑construction activities, including estimating, budgeting, cost modeling, value engineering, procurement coordination, and early‑stage project planning. This role ensures that project scopes, budgets, and schedules are accurately developed, clearly communicated, and strategically aligned with company objectives. The position requires deep expertise in commercial construction estimating, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, subcontractors, suppliers, and executive leadership. The Pre‑Construction Manager plays a critical role in shaping project success before construction begins, ensuring financial accuracy, risk awareness, and seamless transition into execution.

Responsibilities

• Foster a high‑energy, high‑accountability culture that motivates teams to achieve.
• Lead all pre‑construction efforts for assigned projects, ensuring accurate, timely, and comprehensive estimating deliverables.
• Prepare full project estimates independently, including conceptual budgets, ROM estimates, and square‑foot pricing when limited design information is available.
• Develop detailed estimates from completed Construction Documents (CDs), partial drawings, narratives, and early‑stage design concepts.
• Participate in early project involvement to support cost modeling, value engineering (VE), and budget validation throughout the design process.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs, scope reviews, and cost analyses to ensure accuracy and alignment with project requirements.
• Prepare scope letters, clarify bid assumptions, and support subcontractor contracting efforts in coordination with Construction Managers.
• Identify, evaluate, and communicate estimate assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, and identified risks to internal stakeholders.
• Support the improvement and standardization of internal estimating formats, templates, and workflows to enhance consistency and efficiency.
• Identify and source long‑lead materials during pre‑construction, including structural steel, hollow metal doors, MEP equipment, glazing systems, and owner‑provided materials.
• Coordinate procurement strategies with Construction Managers to ensure alignment with cost, schedule, and project delivery expectations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and suppliers, leveraging existing networks while expanding the company’s nationwide subcontractor base.
• Vet subcontractors, review qualifications, assess bid reliability, and ensure competitive, complete, and accurate bid coverage.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams while ensuring external communication is coordinated through the Construction Manager or Director.
• Participate in formal pre‑construction handoff meetings to ensure a smooth transition from estimating to construction execution.
• Support the Construction Manager and Director in resolving bid gaps, clarifying scopes, and validating subcontractor pricing.
• Utilize estimating and takeoff software such as Xactimate, Bluebeam, and PlanSwift; remain open to adopting new tools that improve accuracy or efficiency.
• Apply advanced Excel skills to develop cost models, organize estimate data, and communicate pricing structures clearly.
• Maintain a strong understanding of commercial construction means, methods, and sequencing to ensure realistic and executable project budgets.
• Conduct occasional site visits to gain field exposure, validate existing conditions, and strengthen estimating accuracy.
• Contribute to the growth and evolution of a developing pre‑construction department, supporting process refinement and future expansion.
• Exhibit professionalism, integrity, and strong communication skills while representing the company with internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

• Working knowledge of current building and construction codes.
• OSHA 30 preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.