Senior Preconstruction Manager

Our client is seeking an accomplished Senior Preconstruction Manager to join their growing team in San Francisco, California. This is a senior-level leadership opportunity for a construction professional with deep expertise in preconstruction, estimating, and planning for complex commercial, institutional, healthcare, life sciences, technology, or large-scale infrastructure projects.

This role places a strong emphasis on MEP/MEPF systems, including electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and building systems coordination. They are particularly interested in candidates with strong electrical construction and electrical estimating backgrounds who can provide technical leadership throughout the preconstruction process.

Qualified candidates may come from general contractors, design firms, engineering consultancies, or specialty subcontractors, with electrical-focused professionals being especially attractive for this position.

Position Summary

The Senior Preconstruction Manager will lead all preconstruction efforts from project pursuit through construction start, collaborating closely with owners, architects, engineers, estimators, trade partners, and operations teams. This individual will be responsible for developing accurate budgets, managing design-phase cost planning, evaluating project risks, and ensuring successful project handoff to construction teams.

The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of building systems, exceptional communication skills, and a proven ability to guide clients and project teams through complex preconstruction challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction activities for large and complex construction projects.
• Manage conceptual estimating, budgeting, value engineering, cost modeling, and bid strategy development.
• Provide technical leadership regarding MEP, MEPF, and electrical systems throughout design and planning phases.
• Collaborate with owners, architects, engineers, and consultants to develop cost-effective project solutions.
• Review drawings and specifications to identify design risks, constructability concerns, and value engineering opportunities.
• Coordinate with specialty subcontractors and trade partners to validate pricing, scope, and procurement strategies.
• Develop and maintain project budgets throughout all phases of design.
• Lead design-assist and design-build preconstruction efforts.
• Facilitate client presentations, project interviews, and pre-award meetings.
• Support business development and project pursuit initiatives.
• Partner with operational leadership to ensure a seamless transition from preconstruction to project execution.
• Mentor and develop estimating and preconstruction staff.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in preconstruction, estimating, project management, engineering, or related construction leadership roles.
• Experience serving in a senior-level preconstruction leadership capacity.
• Strong expertise in:
  • MEP systems
  • MEPF coordination
  • Electrical systems
  • Building infrastructure and utility systems
  • Cost planning and design-phase estimating
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, procurement strategies, scheduling, and project delivery approaches.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Desired Backgrounds

We welcome candidates from the following sectors:

• General Contractors
• Design-Build Contractors
• Engineering and Design Firms
• MEP Engineering Consultants
• Electrical Contractors
• Specialty MEP Subcontractors
• Building Systems and Infrastructure Organizations

Candidates with significant electrical construction, electrical estimating, power distribution, mission-critical, healthcare, life sciences, or complex commercial project experience are highly desirable.

Preferred Experience

• Large-scale commercial construction.
• Healthcare and hospital facilities.
• Life sciences and biotechnology projects.
• Mission-critical and data center facilities.
• Higher education and institutional buildings.
• Design-build and integrated project delivery environments.
• Complex projects involving significant MEP and electrical scopes.