Preconstruction Manager

LEAPLEY CONSTRUCTION GROUP OF ATLANTA LLC•Atlanta, KS

10d

About The Position

Leapley Construction is hiring a Preconstruction Manager to lead projects from early budgeting through buyout. The company's work spans corporate interiors, exterior renovations, adaptive reuse, ground-up construction, higher education, and healthcare. The manager owns estimates ranging from conceptual ROMs and test-fit budgets to hard bids and GMPs, and serves as the owner's and design team's primary cost and constructability advisor before construction begins. This role runs preconstruction for multiple pursuits and projects at once, including building budgets, managing subcontractor bidding, leading value engineering, and providing a well-documented handoff to the project team. The position reports to the Director of Preconstruction and requires a self-motivated, hardworking, and curious person who investigates project details and cost drivers.

Requirements

At least 7 years of estimating or preconstruction experience with a commercial general contractor or construction manager; a mix of interiors and renovation experience is preferred.
Experience running estimates from concept through GMP or hard bid on commercial projects such as interiors, renovations, or adaptive reuse.
Strong understanding of construction means and methods and how MEP systems affect cost.
Experience developing value engineering ideas that help clients save costs while protecting design intent.
Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present numbers to owners and design teams.
Self-motivated and hardworking, with the ability to own multiple estimates and deadlines without needing to be pushed.
Naturally curious and willing to investigate drawings, subcontractor bids, and assumptions to understand scope and cost drivers.
Experience mentoring junior estimators and engineers.
Advanced Excel skills, including estimate templates, bid leveling sheets, and cost models.
Experience with takeoff software such as Bluebeam and On-Screen Takeoff.
Experience with project and bid management platforms such as Procore.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.
Strong attention to detail regarding scope gaps, exclusions, and qualifications.
Comfort defending estimates and explaining their cost drivers.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Building Construction, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Experience with ground-up construction, exterior renovations, and occupied-building renovations in corporate, higher-education, or healthcare settings.
An established subcontractor network in the Atlanta area.

Responsibilities

Build conceptual, schematic, DD, and CD estimates for corporate interiors, renovations, adaptive reuse, and ground-up projects, including ROMs and test-fit budgets for candidate buildings or suites.
Perform quantity takeoffs, track market pricing trends, and check subcontractor pricing against historical cost data.
Track scope and budget changes as designs develop, and reconcile each estimate to the previous one.
Prepare GMP and hard-bid proposals, including clarifications, qualifications, allowances, and alternates.
Write scopes of work and bid packages; build and manage bidder lists and bring in new subcontractors to maintain trade competition.
Run the bid process by soliciting bids, answering RFIs, issuing addenda, and following up with subcontractors.
Review and level subcontractor bids for scope completeness, investigate outliers, and make award recommendations.
Lead value engineering and option studies, clearly presenting cost and schedule impacts.
Review drawings for constructability, coordination gaps, and scope risks.
Advise on long-lead items, procurement strategy, and early-release packages.
Present budgets and estimates to owners, brokers, architects, and internal leadership.
Support proposals and interviews with cost models and preconstruction presentations.
Hand off a complete buyout package to the project team and support the team through early construction.
Mentor Preconstruction Engineers and coordinators, and review their takeoffs and estimates.
Help improve department standards, templates, and the historical cost database.