Senior Electrical Preconstruction Manager

Fortis Construction•Portland, OR

About The Position

The Senior Electrical Preconstruction Manager provides strategic leadership for all M&E (Mechanical & Electrical) related preconstruction activities across multiple complex building and infrastructure projects. This role sets the technical direction, ensures consistent processes, and drives high quality, predictable M&E outcomes from early concept through handoff to operations. The Senior M&E Preconstruction Manager oversees the M&E Preconstruction Manager(s), estimators, and cross functional partners while serving as the primary leadership interface for M&E scope, cost, risk, and design strategy. Estimating & Technical Leadership Develop and validate conceptual and detailed M&E estimates at all design stages, including benchmarking and early conceptual budgets. Establish estimating standards, system assumptions, and risk frameworks for mechanical, electrical, and controls scopes. Review and approve major vendor and trade partner proposals, ensuring alignment with design intent and identification of hidden scope gaps. Lead advanced constructability reviews for complex systems such as MV distribution, UPS architecture, switchgear, central plants, and integrated controls. Guide the use of BIM, model‑based quantity extraction, and digital tools to improve accuracy, coordination, and transparency. Preconstruction Planning & Coordination Develop enterprise‑level M&E preconstruction strategies, work plans, and delivery frameworks for use across entire M&E preconstruction team. Oversee purchasing plans, bid strategies, and procurement sequencing for major M&E packages. Ensure consistent application of best practices across all M&E preconstruction teams. Partner with preconstruction and operations teams to align M&E preconstruction schedules, sequencing, and phasing aligned with contractual documents and project delivery strategies. Ensure alignment with enterprise‑level processes and standards established by company leadership. Client & Stakeholder Engagement Serve as the senior M&E representative in client‑facing meetings, executive reviews, and major decision forums. Present cost trends, design options, risk scenarios, and recommendations with clarity and strategic insight. Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring confidence in the M&E preconstruction process and alignment with project goals. Coach team members on effective communication and storytelling around M&E scope and cost drivers. Risk, Quality & Documentation Oversee evaluation of design gaps, scope ambiguities, procurement constraints, and schedule feasibility across all active pursuits. Ensure all M&E deliverables—estimates, narratives, design reviews, and handoff packages—are accurate, complete, and aligned with company standards. Establish documentation protocols for system decisions, design changes, estimating logic, and risk registers to ensure clean, trusted handoffs to operations. Lead cross‑functional risk workshops and drive resolution of major M&E issues before handoff. Innovation & Delivery Methods Champion prefabrication, modularization, and alternative delivery methods, integrating them into estimating, planning, and design strategy. Identify enterprise‑level opportunities for cost savings, schedule compression, and design optimization through early M&E strategy alignment. Provide accurate and timely comparative analysis to evaluate different systems or compare different builds to help owner and design team with data-driven decision making. Seek out emerging technologies, tools, and delivery models to improve M&E preconstruction performance and predictability. Leadership & Team Development Lead, mentor, and develop M&E Preconstruction Managers, estimators, and cross‑functional partners. Set expectations for performance, accountability, and quality across the M&E preconstruction function. Build a culture of systems‑level thinking, disciplined estimating, and proactive risk management. Lead resource planning, staffing decisions, and capability development for the M&E preconstruction team. Foster the development of significant relationships with our trade partners Other Assist in other duties as assigned, relevant to the achievement of the position’s and team’s objectives.

Requirements

15+ years of estimating, engineering, or controls experience with deep electrical expertise.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related degree program, or equivalent work experience.
Able to motivate and inspire others to consistently meet deadlines while still maintaining excellent detail orientation and quality of work.
Develop and maintain relationships with clients with a customer-focused orientation.
Ability to effectively prioritize level of urgency and importance and act accordingly.
Mastery knowledge of construction methods, practices and project execution including practical knowledge of M&E trades.
Understands benefits and limitations of different building types and systems.
Excellent senior-leadership level communication skills and command of interpersonal skills necessary to cater messaging to all audiences (executive, system, detail).
Exhibits strong leadership qualities including being able to persevere through challenges and being results-oriented.
Proven leadership experience managing teams, driving accountability, and influencing cross functional partners.
Must possess a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record in accordance with Fortis policy.

Responsibilities

Develop and validate conceptual and detailed M&E estimates at all design stages, including benchmarking and early conceptual budgets.
Establish estimating standards, system assumptions, and risk frameworks for mechanical, electrical, and controls scopes.
Review and approve major vendor and trade partner proposals, ensuring alignment with design intent and identification of hidden scope gaps.
Lead advanced constructability reviews for complex systems such as MV distribution, UPS architecture, switchgear, central plants, and integrated controls.
Guide the use of BIM, model‑based quantity extraction, and digital tools to improve accuracy, coordination, and transparency.
Develop enterprise‑level M&E preconstruction strategies, work plans, and delivery frameworks for use across entire M&E preconstruction team.
Oversee purchasing plans, bid strategies, and procurement sequencing for major M&E packages.
Ensure consistent application of best practices across all M&E preconstruction teams.
Partner with preconstruction and operations teams to align M&E preconstruction schedules, sequencing, and phasing aligned with contractual documents and project delivery strategies.
Ensure alignment with enterprise‑level processes and standards established by company leadership.
Serve as the senior M&E representative in client‑facing meetings, executive reviews, and major decision forums.
Present cost trends, design options, risk scenarios, and recommendations with clarity and strategic insight.
Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring confidence in the M&E preconstruction process and alignment with project goals.
Coach team members on effective communication and storytelling around M&E scope and cost drivers.
Oversee evaluation of design gaps, scope ambiguities, procurement constraints, and schedule feasibility across all active pursuits.
Ensure all M&E deliverables—estimates, narratives, design reviews, and handoff packages—are accurate, complete, and aligned with company standards.
Establish documentation protocols for system decisions, design changes, estimating logic, and risk registers to ensure clean, trusted handoffs to operations.
Lead cross‑functional risk workshops and drive resolution of major M&E issues before handoff.
Champion prefabrication, modularization, and alternative delivery methods, integrating them into estimating, planning, and design strategy.
Identify enterprise‑level opportunities for cost savings, schedule compression, and design optimization through early M&E strategy alignment.
Provide accurate and timely comparative analysis to evaluate different systems or compare different builds to help owner and design team with data-driven decision making.
Seek out emerging technologies, tools, and delivery models to improve M&E preconstruction performance and predictability.
Lead, mentor, and develop M&E Preconstruction Managers, estimators, and cross‑functional partners.
Set expectations for performance, accountability, and quality across the M&E preconstruction function.
Build a culture of systems‑level thinking, disciplined estimating, and proactive risk management.
Lead resource planning, staffing decisions, and capability development for the M&E preconstruction team.
Foster the development of significant relationships with our trade partners
Assist in other duties as assigned, relevant to the achievement of the position’s and team’s objectives.