Preconstruction Operations Manager

Stoa Group•Charlotte, NC

24d•Hybrid

About The Position

Stoa Group is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Operations Manager to lead preconstruction activities across our Carolinas region. This leadership position is responsible for overseeing the regional preconstruction team, managing project estimates and budgets, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring projects are thoroughly prepared for construction. The role combines team leadership with hands-on estimating, financial analysis, and subcontractor development. With responsibility for four or more multifamily developments at various stages of preconstruction, each averaging approximately 300 units and $40 million in project value, this position plays a key role in maintaining estimating accuracy, improving project costs, and ensuring a smooth transition from design to construction.

Requirements

Minimum of eight (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 with the ability to reconcile actual project costs against estimates and identify opportunities for improvement.
Strong communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and construction estimating or project management software.

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 region, beginning at the Design Development stage through completion of design and project buyout.
Oversee the regional preconstruction team, including Estimators and the Preconstruction Coordinator.
Establish team priorities, manage workloads, and ensure timely completion of estimates, budgets, and other preconstruction deliverables.
Provide coaching, performance management, and professional development to team members.
Perform hands-on estimating and other preconstruction responsibilities as project workloads require.
Develop and improve processes that promote consistency, accuracy, and efficiency across the region.
Lead the preparation and review of construction estimates and preliminary project budgets.
Ensure estimates are accurate, complete, and delivered within established project timelines.
Evaluate construction drawings, specifications, material selections, and project requirements to identify potential cost impacts.
Develop and present value engineering recommendations and alternative material options to improve project costs while maintaining Stoa's quality standards.
Monitor regional construction pricing trends and provide Development with regular 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 to evaluate estimating accuracy.
Analyze cost variances, identify trends, and document lessons learned from completed projects.
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 resulting from design changes, scope gaps, and project execution.
Apply historical project cost data and lessons learned to improve future preconstruction processes and decisions.
Identify, evaluate, and develop relationships with new subcontractors, suppliers, and trade partners throughout the Carolinas region.
Expand the regional subcontractor and vendor pool to improve pricing competitiveness, trade coverage, and project readiness.
Coordinate bid solicitations, evaluate proposals, and identify opportunities for cost savings.
Review subcontractor scopes and bid coverage to identify potential gaps before construction begins.
Present vendor recommendations and proposed procurement decisions for leadership approval.
Coordinate with Development, Design, and Construction Operations throughout the preconstruction process.
Support design reviews and evaluate constructability, material alternatives, and cost implications.
Ensure project budgets, estimates, subcontractor scopes, and buyout information are complete and properly documented.
Facilitate a smooth transition to the assigned Construction Project Manager following design completion and buyout.
Partner with Project Managers to validate specific plan changes and resolve preconstruction-related questions.
Identify potential scope gaps, cost exposures, and outstanding issues before project handoff.
Provide regular updates to Construction leadership regarding project estimates, budgets, timelines, cost-saving opportunities, and preconstruction progress.
Communicate regional pricing trends and alternative material recommendations 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 that strengthen estimating accuracy, cost management, and preconstruction execution.