Preconstruction Manager

CSU Careers • Long Beach, CA

1d • $12,917 - $14,583 • Onsite

About The Position

Join the vibrant community at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)! Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB offers an inspiring workplace and an exceptional Southern California lifestyle. Our 322-acre campus—one of the largest in the CSU system—serves more than 42,000 students and is known for its commitment to student success, innovation, and impactful academic and research initiatives. As a member of the CSULB community, you’ll experience a dynamic environment filled with cultural landmarks, collaborative energy, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference. Work-life balance thrives here. Long Beach blends coastal relaxation with urban vibrancy, offering miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, a thriving arts and food scene, and convenient access to both Los Angeles and Orange County. It’s an ideal place to grow your career while enjoying everything Southern California has to offer. Join the California State University (CSU) and explore career opportunities that advance student success and strengthen California’s future—offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional growth. The Preconstruction Manager provides senior-level leadership and oversight of preconstruction services within the Design & Construction Services (DCS) department at California State University, Long Beach. Reporting to the Director, this position manages and supervises Major and Minor Capital Project Managers, the Interior Design Manager(s), and associated staff, as well as staff augmentation personnel from private firms. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing project intake, planning, design, construction documents, and procurement activities for University projects. This role ensures projects are successfully delivered from inception through preconstruction completion in coordination with customers, University stakeholders, Capital & Space Planning, Construction Services, and Facilities Management. The Preconstruction Manager is accountable for operational performance, including management of project tracking systems, process consistency, and adherence to CSU and State requirements. While primarily a leadership role, the incumbent may directly manage projects as needed to support workload demands and staffing transitions. Projects are transitioned to the Construction Management group upon contractor procurement, or to Facilities Management (Campus Facilities Project Services) for interior and smaller-scale projects.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, and other regulations applicable to building construction, maintenance, and repair including building codes for the State of California, fire codes, ADA regulations, industry standards and regulations.
• Knowledge of construction methods and procedures.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and writing skills.
• Ability to represent the department in a professional manner to determine campus customers’ needs and design requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work within an ethnically diverse campus environment.
• Proven ability to manage a large number of projects simultaneously.
• Working knowledge of personal productivity tools (personal computers, Word, Excel, and electronic mail.)
• Must be self-motivated.
• Mandatory ability to sketch plans, details, etc. in order to facilitate the transmission of ideas to Customers, staff, and others.
• Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community.
• Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures.
• Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."
• Bachelor Degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or related field and 10-years of progressively responsible full time work experience in a related field required.
• Equivalent experience (or combination of education and experience) in project management, architecture, engineering, or construction management will be considered as a substitution for a degree on a year for year basis.
• At least 5-years of supervisory experience required.
• Seven years of related experience in design and construction in a similar type of position required.
• Demonstrated prior experience managing or administering projects with a project value over $5 Million required.
• CA Driver’s License required.

Nice To Haves

• Previous higher education or institutional project management experience preferred.
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) certificate preferred.
• DSA Certified Accessibility Specialist (CASp) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leadership for Project Managers, Design Manager(s), and staff augmentation personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations, manage workload, hires and ensures accountability.
• Mentor staff and maintain team performance and engagement.
• Oversee project intake, feasibility, scope, budget, and design development.
• Direct preconstruction phases through permitting and procurement.
• Independently manage projects as needed
• Ensure quality, completeness, and compliance of plans and specifications.
• Conduct design reviews and enforce campus and regulatory standards.
• Oversee value engineering and design development processes.
• Manage selection, contracting, and oversight of design professionals.
• Review contracts, amendments, and consultant performance.
• Ensure compliance with CSU and State procurement requirements.
• Oversee budgets, schedules, and funding allocations.
• Manage project tracking systems and reporting tools.
• Prepare executive-level reports and financial analyses.
• Coordinate hand-off to Construction Management and Facilities Management.
• Ensure continuity of scope, budget, and documentation.
• Serve as liaison to campus departments and leadership.
• Lead meetings and communicate project status and expectations.
• Develop and maintain procedures, standards, and tracking systems.
• Oversee departmental tools (GIS, as-builts, databases, etc.)

Benefits

• Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or length of service)
• 14 paid holidays
• 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
• A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan, along with voluntary savings options such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans.
• Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
• Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
• Wellness programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager