Job Description
Preconstruction Manager
$800M General Contractor | Rosemont, IL | Leadership Role
Our client is a $800M, full-service General Contractor headquartered in Rosemont, IL, with a strong reputation for delivering complex projects across commercial, industrial, multifamily, healthcare, education, and mixed-use sectors.
Due to continued growth and a strong forward backlog, the firm is seeking a Preconstruction Manager to lead and develop its estimating department.
This is a key leadership role within the organization, reporting directly to the Vice President of Construction and overseeing a team of five estimators.
Position Overview
The Preconstruction Manager will be responsible for managing all preconstruction and estimating operations, ensuring accurate, competitive, and strategic pricing across a diverse project portfolio.
This individual will play a critical role in business development strategy, subcontractor relationships, risk evaluation, and overall project success before construction begins.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the estimating department (team of 5)
- Oversee all conceptual, schematic, design development, and GMP estimates
- Develop and refine estimating standards, processes, and best practices
- Review and validate takeoffs, pricing strategies, and bid proposals
- Partner closely with Business Development and Operations teams
- Participate in client presentations and preconstruction meetings
- Build and maintain subcontractor and vendor relationships
- Evaluate project risk and develop mitigation strategies
- Mentor and develop estimating team members
Qualifications
- 10+ years of commercial construction estimating experience
- Prior leadership experience managing estimators preferred
- Strong knowledge of conceptual budgeting and hard bid processes
- Experience across ground-up and renovation projects
- Strong understanding of subcontractor markets in the Chicagoland area
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: $150,000 – $200,000 (commensurate with experience)
- Annual performance bonus
- 401(k) with company match
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Company-paid life and disability insurance
- Generous PTO and paid holidays
- Flexible work schedule options
- Professional development and continuing education support
- Leadership visibility and executive growth path
- Stable, well-capitalized $500M platform with strong backlog
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to take ownership of a critical department within a well-established and financially strong general contractor. The right candidate will have the autonomy to shape estimating strategy, build team culture, and influence the firm’s growth trajectory.
Confidential inquiries are welcome.