Preconstruction Operations Manager

Stoa Group•Charlotte, NC

25d•Onsite

About The Position

Stoa Group is seeking a Preconstruction Operations Manager to lead preconstruction activities for multifamily development projects across the Carolinas region. The role oversees the regional preconstruction team and is responsible for estimates, budgets, cost analysis, subcontractor and vendor development, and preparing projects for construction. The manager supports four or more multifamily developments at different preconstruction stages, each averaging approximately 300 units and $40 million in project value, and helps maintain estimating accuracy, improve project costs, and facilitate the transition from design to construction. The position leads projects from the Design Development stage through design completion and project buyout. It combines team management with hands-on estimating, financial analysis, value engineering, and coordination with Development, Design, Construction Operations, and Project Managers. The role is based in Stoa Group’s Charlotte, North Carolina office, is primarily office-based, and includes occasional travel to construction sites, subcontractors, vendors, and company locations. Stoa Group is a vertically integrated real estate development, construction, and property management company that develops communities it intends to own and manage long term. The company emphasizes quality, schedule execution, and strong relationships.

Requirements

At least 8 years of progressive experience in preconstruction, construction estimating, project management, or construction leadership.
Experience with large-scale multifamily or commercial ground-up construction projects.
Strong knowledge of construction estimating, budgeting, quantity takeoffs, value engineering, and project buyout processes.
Experience managing multiple construction projects and competing deadlines.
Ability to evaluate construction documents, specifications, subcontractor scopes, and project cost data.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage performance, and coordinate work across multiple departments.
Strong analytical skills, including reconciling actual project costs against estimates and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Strong communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and construction estimating or project management software.
Authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in construction project management.
Experience supervising estimators or preconstruction personnel.
Experience with multifamily development and construction in the Carolinas region.
Familiarity with Procore, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, or comparable software.
Established relationships with regional subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Lead preconstruction activities for multifamily development projects throughout the Carolinas from Design Development through design completion and project buyout.
Oversee the regional preconstruction team, including Estimators and the Preconstruction Coordinator; set priorities, manage workloads, and ensure timely delivery of preconstruction work.
Coach team members, manage performance, support professional development, and participate in hiring and staffing decisions with Construction leadership.
Perform hands-on estimating and other preconstruction work as project workloads require.
Develop and improve processes to promote consistency, accuracy, and efficiency across the region.
Lead preparation and review of construction estimates and preliminary project budgets, ensuring they are accurate, complete, and delivered on time.
Review drawings, specifications, material selections, and project requirements to evaluate cost impacts.
Develop and present value engineering recommendations and material alternatives that improve project costs while maintaining quality standards.
Monitor regional construction pricing trends and provide Development with market cost updates.
Prepare budgets and cost-saving recommendations for leadership review and approval; identify estimating discrepancies, cost risks, and opportunities to improve budget reliability.
Reconcile completed project costs against original estimates and budgets; analyze variances, trends, and lessons learned.
Prepare regional cost reports and recommendations to improve future estimates, material selections, and project planning.
Work with Construction Operations and Project Managers to understand cost impacts from design changes, scope gaps, and project execution.
Apply historical project cost data and lessons learned to improve preconstruction processes and decisions.
Identify, evaluate, and develop relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and trade partners across the Carolinas; expand the regional vendor pool.
Coordinate bid solicitations, evaluate proposals, identify cost-saving opportunities, and review subcontractor scopes and bid coverage for gaps.
Present vendor recommendations and proposed procurement decisions for leadership approval.
Coordinate with Development, Design, and Construction Operations throughout preconstruction; support design reviews and assess constructability, material alternatives, and cost implications.
Ensure project budgets, estimates, subcontractor scopes, and buyout information are complete and documented.
Facilitate project handoff to the assigned Construction Project Manager after design completion and buyout; help validate plan changes and resolve preconstruction questions.
Identify scope gaps, cost exposures, and outstanding issues before project handoff.
Provide Construction leadership with updates on estimates, budgets, timelines, cost-saving opportunities, and preconstruction progress.
Communicate regional pricing trends and material alternatives to Development; collaborate with Project Managers to improve construction readiness and reduce scope gaps.
Track estimating performance, project cost variances, and lessons learned across the regional portfolio; recommend process improvements.