Preconstruction Manager

XL Construction•Milpitas, CA

60d

About The Position

XL Construction Corp. is seeking a Preconstruction Manager to lead the design and preconstruction process for assigned pursuits and projects. This role spans from early opportunity through contract/GMP agreement and transition to operations. The Preconstruction Manager will integrate client goals, design development, cost planning, estimating, schedules, entitlements, long-lead procurement, constructability, risk, and value strategy into a coordinated plan. A key aspect of this role is fostering a positive and cohesive Owner/Architect/Contractor (O/A/C) team, serving as the central point of contact among the Owner, design team, trade partners, estimating resources, and the project delivery team, with a strong emphasis on ensuring no surprises for the Owner.

Requirements

Typically 7+ years of relevant experience in commercial construction, design, engineering, architecture, cost planning/estimating, project management, construction management or a related field; equivalent demonstrated capability will be considered.
Relevant backgrounds may include: general-contractor estimating/preconstruction; construction project management; design management; architectural project management; engineering project management; cost consulting; or owner/developer project management with strong construction exposure.
Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and making decisions across cost, design, schedule, procurement, and risk.
Working knowledge of building systems, construction means and methods, design development, and project delivery.
Strong estimating literacy is required; a career spent primarily as an estimator is not.
Experience with negotiated work and collaborative delivery; design-build/design-assist experience is strongly valued.
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Integrated project thinking; cost and estimating literacy; design coordination; constructability; schedule and procurement planning; risk management; client communication; facilitation; negotiation; written and presentation skills; collaboration; working knowledge of BIM/VDC and common preconstruction technology.

Nice To Haves

Professional credentials such as AIA/RA, PE, DBIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, PMP or comparable credentials are valued but not required.

Responsibilities

Define the project-specific preconstruction plan, deliverables, responsibilities, and decision milestones.
Lead regular preconstruction meetings and coordinate input from Owner, architect/engineer, estimating, operations, scheduling, VDC, sustainability, and trade-partners.
Maintain alignment among scope, design, budget, schedule, procurement strategy, and client priorities.
Establish team alignment, roles, and responsibilities early in the design phase and actively manage team health, accountability, and decision-making.
Coordinate entitlements, permitting, and existing-conditions validation where these activities affect design, cost, schedule, or project viability.
Plan and execute an effective handoff from preconstruction to the project execution team.
Own the cost-management process from conceptual planning through detailed estimate/GMP or bid, coordinating estimating resources.
Develop, test, and communicate assumptions, allowances, alternates, escalation, contingencies, and cost risks.
Lead estimate reviews, scope reconciliation, bid leveling, and budget updates; explain cost drivers clearly to clients and design teams.
Support general conditions/general requirements, staffing plans, fee strategy, and commercial qualifications.
Support management of preconstruction/design-phase service budgets, consultant agreements, trade-partner agreements, projections, and billings.
Manage design-to-budget activities and facilitate Target Value Delivery/Design, value engineering, and option analysis.
Coordinate design reviews for constructability, completeness, coordination, code/permitting implications, logistics, sustainability, and long-lead impacts.
Track design decisions, open issues, and owner requirements; ensure changes are understood in terms of cost, schedule, and risk.
Work with architects and engineers to develop buildable, coordinated, and cost-effective solutions while respecting design intent and client requirements.
Coordinate consultant and design-assist/design-build trade-partner onboarding, scopes, and interfaces so design responsibilities are complete and gaps are identified early.
Use structured decision tools such as Options Analysis/A3s and decision logs to make cost, schedule, and design impacts visible before major decisions are made.
Develop and maintain the preconstruction schedule and contribute to conceptual construction schedules, phasing, and logistics plans.
Develop procurement and bid-package strategy with operations and estimating, including early packages and long-lead items.
Develop early design-assist/design-build trade-partner strategies and ensure scopes align with the Architect/Engineer of Record and construction requirements.
Facilitate risk and opportunity workshops; maintain a clear risk register with owners, actions, and commercial/schedule implications.
Engage trade partners early to validate constructability, pricing, lead times, and market capacity.
Lead or contribute to RFP deliverables including budget, schedule, logistics, approach, interviews, and technical content.
Support selection and onboarding of A/E teaming partners for collaborative and design-build pursuits, including clear scopes, deliverables, and design-phase responsibilities.
Develop project-specific win strategies with Business Development and Operations.
Serve as a primary day-to-day preconstruction contact and build trusted relationships with clients, designers, and consultants.
Represent XL clearly and credibly in presentations, working sessions, and negotiations.
Coach and support less-experienced team members and share knowledge across estimating, design, and operations disciplines.
Use XL systems and technology effectively and contribute to improvements in preconstruction workflows.
Apply XL best practices for budget communication, design-phase pull planning, constructability back-checks, risk workshops, and pre-GMP execution planning.
Promote collaboration, accountability, inclusive participation, and constructive challenge.
Capture lessons learned and apply them to future pursuits and projects.