Pre-Construction Ops Manager

A well-established construction and development business is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Operations Manager to lead regional preconstruction activities across the Carolinas.

This is a senior leadership opportunity combining team management with hands-on estimating, budgeting, value engineering and subcontractor procurement. The successful candidate will oversee multiple multifamily developments at various stages of preconstruction, helping ensure cost accuracy, competitive pricing and a seamless transition from design through to construction.

The portfolio includes four or more developments, typically around 300 units each, with project values averaging approximately $40M.

• Lead regional preconstruction operations, overseeing estimators and preconstruction support personnel.

• Manage the preparation, review and delivery of estimates, budgets and cost plans.

• Evaluate drawings, specifications and material selections to identify cost risks and value engineering opportunities.

• Analyse project costs against original estimates, identify variances and implement improvements to estimating accuracy.

• Develop and maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers and trade partners across the Carolinas.

• Coordinate bid solicitations, review subcontractor proposals, assess scope coverage and identify procurement savings.

• Work closely with Development, Design and Construction teams to assess constructability, manage design changes and resolve scope gaps.

• Oversee preconstruction deliverables through design development, estimating and project buyout.

• Ensure accurate documentation and a smooth handover to construction teams.

• Report on budgets, pricing trends, cost-saving opportunities and preconstruction progress to senior leadership.

• Develop processes and best practices to improve regional estimating consistency, efficiency and performance.

• 8+ years of progressive experience in preconstruction, estimating, project management or construction leadership.
• Experience delivering large-scale multifamily or commercial ground-up construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of estimating, quantity takeoffs, budgeting, value engineering and project buyout.
• Experience managing multiple projects, competing deadlines and cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to analyse project costs, identify discrepancies and improve budget accuracy.
• Experience leading, mentoring or supervising estimators or preconstruction personnel.
• Strong subcontractor negotiation, procurement and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and construction estimating or project management software.
• Excellent communication, organisational and analytical skills.