Preconstruction Manager at W.E. O'Neil Construction
W.E. O'Neil Construction · Pleasanton, United States Of America · Onsite
- Professional
- Office in Pleasanton
Scope
The Preconstruction Manager plays a pivotal role in guiding preconstruction activities, fostering strategic relationships, and ensuring the successful pursuit, planning, and execution of projects. This position requires a dynamic individual who excels in collaboration, strategic thinking, and driving for results.
Reporting Relationship
This position reports directly to the Vice President of Preconstruction in the California and Arizona regions.
This position reports directly to the Vice President of Preconstruction in the California and Arizona regions.
Key Responsibilities
Essential Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Relationship Building
- Acts as ambassador of Building Great Relationships by fostering partnership on project teams including owner, architect, and other stakeholders.
- Establishes a positive, solutions-oriented tone from Day 1
- Lead internal and external coordination to ensure alignment and transparency throughout the project lifecycle.
- Champions innovative ways to address project challenges in a hopeful, optimistic, and creative way
- Project Pursuit & Proposal Strategy
- Support efforts on critical RFPs and proposals.
- Coordinate with VP and PX to develop winning strategies including staffing plans, schedules, logistics, and presentation content.
- Coordinate with marketing, VDC, estimating, and operations to deliver compelling pursuit packages and team interviews.
- Support efforts on critical RFPs and proposals.
- Budgeting, Estimating, and Value Engineering
- Oversee bid coverage, bid inclusions/exclusions.
- Support preconstruction and construction budget development.
- Leverage subcontractor relationships to ensure competitive pricing.
- Guide logistics planning and schedule development in coordination with estimating and scheduling teams.
- Review and tailor bid qualifications to project-specific needs.
- Manage value engineering items, including input and management of VE items in JOIN.
- Present VE strategies to project teams and ensure clarity in budget variance reporting.
- Support bid day operations and coordinate with marketing for RFP deliverables.
- Risk Management, Procurement, and Contracting
- Negotiate and award early trade packages, consultant agreements, and temporary services.
- Evaluate subcontractor quality and advise leadership on trade risks.
- Proactively manage long-lead risks including permitting, power, deferred approvals, and materials.
- Collaborate with design teams and owners to develop risk mitigation strategies.
- Operational Oversight & Preconstruction Execution
- Lead preconstruction meetings, site walks, and existing conditions assessments.
- Ensure timely invoice submission and preconstruction data management.
- Monitor project financial health and support PX/PDs in maintaining preconstruction milestones.
- Facilitate preconstruction kickoff meetings and construction handoff meetings.
- Act as design manager for design-build projects, if required.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential Skills
Technical
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Ability to troubleshoot and resolve basic technical issues.
Business and Management
- Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple deadlines.
- Understanding of business operations and workflows.
- Ability to maintain accurate records, documentation, and reporting as required.
Interpersonal
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders
- Professional demeanor and customer service orientation.
- Highly collaborative and can lead cross-functional teams.
Personal
- Strategic thinker that leads with curiosity and creativity to problem solve.
- Self-motivated and detail-oriented.
- Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic environment.
Qualifications
- 5-7 years’ experience in Construction Project Management, Estimating, PreConstruction or combination thereof.
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, business administration, or other related subject preferred
- Proven leadership in preconstruction management across diverse project types
- Strong understanding of estimating, scheduling, logistics, and value engineering
- Proven track record of negotiating contracts
Physical Demands
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
- Occasional lifting of items up to 50 lbs.
- Use of standard office equipment (computer, phone, copier, etc.).
Work Environment
- Primarily an office-based role.
- May involve occasional travel or remote work as needed.
- May involve working at an active construction site or client office on select days
- Typical indoor working conditions with standard lighting and ventilation.
