PRECONSTRUCTION MANAGER

Job Summary

The Preconstruction Manager at Acendion Collective leads the multifamily commercial preconstruction process from early feasibility and schematic design through estimating, procurement, and project handoff. By coordinating design, engineering, estimating, and procurement resources, this role establishes cost certainty, identifies project risks, and advances constructable, well-defined project scopes. This work supports informed investment decisions, competitive project costs, and readiness for construction through disciplined estimating, strategic procurement, and a strong transition from preconstruction to construction.

You will thrive in this role if you:

• Enjoy owning complex preconstruction work from early feasibility through project handoff while maintaining accountability for outcomes.

• Apply strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills to evaluate cost, scope, risk, schedule, and procurement information.

• Communicate clearly, listen effectively, and coordinate diverse internal and external partners around shared project objectives.

• Use data, historical results, and lessons learned to identify issues, recommend solutions, and improve estimating and procurement practices.

• Apply a strong understanding of CSI/MasterFormat and UniFormat cost structuring while reading and interpreting construction drawings and specifications.

• Work confidently with estimating software, bid management platforms, and AutoCAD, including TradeTapp, BuildingConnected, Autodesk Forma Estimate, or similar systems.

These skills will be used to:

• Lead early project feasibility by reviewing conceptual plans and program assumptions, developing conceptual budgets and cost metrics, identifying major cost drivers and risks, and providing cost input for project decisions.

• Manage external design partners, the internal Design Manager, and the Structural Engineering Manager to coordinate design deliverables, schedules, constructability, scope development, and alignment with project objectives.

• Direct estimating across schematic design, design development, and construction document phases by establishing estimating assumptions, overseeing quantity takeoffs and cost modeling, validating estimate completeness, and leading internal estimate reviews.

• Coordinate project scopes, assumptions, exclusions, alternates, value engineering opportunities, Guaranteed Maximum Price packages, estimate revisions, and other preconstruction deliverables.

• Oversee cost benchmarking and estimating feedback by comparing project costs with historical results, identifying variances, incorporating lessons learned, and coordinating improvements to estimating rates and assumptions.

• Develop and manage procurement and buyout strategies, including bid packaging, contracting approaches, procurement methods, long-lead planning, vendor strategies, and procurement schedules aligned with project milestones.

• Direct vendor and subcontractor engagement through market outreach, contractor prequalification, capacity and risk evaluation, bid solicitation, scope leveling, negotiations, and contract award recommendations.

• Ensure procurement and buyout activities align with approved project budgets, estimating assumptions, scope requirements, material lead times, and construction schedule needs.

• Establish and improve preconstruction standards, scopes of work, estimating and procurement workflows, systems, rate accuracy, vendor strategies, and multifamily procurement best practices.

• Collaborate with development, operations, construction, corporate purchasing, shared services, design, engineering, estimating, and procurement teams to maintain accountability and facilitate an effective transition from preconstruction to construction; perform other duties as requested by management.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or a related field.

• Minimum seven (7) years of experience in commercial construction, including experience with preconstruction, estimating, or quantity takeoff activities.

Physical demands and work environment:

• Must have use of sensory skills to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through use of the telephone and face-to-face contact.

• Must have the capability to effectively use and operate various items of office-related equipment such as but not limited to the computer, calculator, and copier.

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time with low periods of reaching and standing.

The Value of a Career with Acendion Collective

A part of The Fischer Group, Acendion Collective is a leading national company specializing in mixed-use and multifamily real estate investment, development, construction, and property management. We collaborate with individual investors to create high-quality developments in high-demand neighborhoods. Our mission is to elevate local rental housing markets and mixed-use projects, diversify investor portfolios, deliver strong returns, and provide growth opportunities for our employees.

We select highly competent individuals to join our team, provide them with the resources, training, and development possible to make significant contributions and drive their success while determining their career paths. The rewards for their efforts are:

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Health Insurance

• Competitive Compensation

• 401(k) with Company matching contributions and profit-sharing

• Employee Life Insurance

• Personal time off

• Inclusive Leave