Senior Preconstruction Manager

Rycon Construction is an employee-owned company (ESOP) that provides construction management, general contracting, and design-build services nationwide. An ENR Top 400 Contractor, ENR Top 100 Green Contractor, and BD+C Top 150 Contractor with nine offices, Rycon specializes in new construction, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects. From large-scale developments to small, fast-track interior fit-outs, Rycon is equipped to deliver a comprehensive range of services across all project types. Rycon’s portfolio includes projects in healthcare, higher education, industrial/warehouse, commercial, multi-unit residential, food service/dining, retail, financial, self-storage, governmental, and LEED facilities. We have an in-house Architectural Woodwork & Specialty Fabrication Division that ships/installs nationally.  

We are seeking an experienced Senior Preconstruction Manager at our Fort Lauderdale office. 

The Senior Preconstruction Manager leads the preconstruction process for complex, high-profile, and multi-scope projects from pursuit through final proposal submission and transition to Operations. This position independently prepares ROM, conceptual, schematic, design-development, GMP, and hard bid estimates for ground-up commercial and residential construction and renovation projects across multiple product types and geographic markets, including industrial warehouse, cold storage and food processing, manufacturing, self-storage, medical and nursing facilities, multi-family, car dealerships, retail, tenant buildout, restaurants, grocery conversion, medical office, and corporate office. The Senior Preconstruction Manager leads and mentors Preconstruction Managers, Estimators, and Coordinators on assigned pursuits, drives bid strategy and competitive positioning, supports client interviews and business development, and operates with a high degree of independence. This role requires expert-level construction knowledge, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple high-priority pursuits simultaneously with minimal direction.

What you will do:  

• Independently prepare and lead ROM, conceptual, schematic, design-development, GMP, and hard bid estimates for complex or high-priority projects.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and cost analysis across all construction divisions and trades.
• Lead the full preconstruction process for assigned pursuits from kickoff through final proposal submission and Operations handoff.
• Lead and create major estimate packages, bid strategies, general conditions, clarifications, assumptions, exclusions, alternates, contingencies, escalation, and risk items.
• Direct, review, and mentor the work of Preconstruction Managers, Estimators, and Coordinators assigned to your pursuits.
• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and vendor bids for both local and out-of-core-market pursuits.
• Lead program area breakouts, value engineering, constructability reviews, alternate pricing studies, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Lead or co-lead proposal development, bid presentations, shortlist interviews, and owner meetings as required.
• Strengthen existing and build new relationships with trade partners, vendors, manufacturers, consultants, and key industry contacts across all trades, regions, and product sectors.
• Negotiate preferred pricing, alternate systems, and favorable terms with trade partners and vendors across all trades, regions, and project types.
• Identify creative alternate manufacturers, products, systems, means, and methods to build competitive advantages and reduce cost.
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and growth feedback to Preconstruction Managers, Estimators, and Coordinators.
• Lead internal estimate reviews, bid-day strategy, and post-bid debriefs to improve accuracy and team performance.
• Attend networking events, trainings, seminars, and industry functions to support relationship-building and professional development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with trade partners, vendors, and key contacts across all trades, regions, and product types.
• Maintain strong market awareness including labor availability, subcontractor capacity, material pricing trends, and regional cost influences.
• Manage multiple complex pursuits and deliverables simultaneously while meeting deadlines with minimal direction.
• Apply expert-level understanding of construction means, methods, sequencing, logistics, and trade coordination to estimate development and pursuit strategy.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, and construction documents to identify scope gaps, risks, and constructability concerns.

What you will need to be successful:  

• Advanced experience in commercial general contracting estimating, preconstruction, or construction management.
• Expert-level knowledge of construction means, methods, sequencing, building systems, trade scopes, and subcontractor pricing.
• Proven ability to independently lead complex estimate packages and mentor Preconstruction Managers and Estimators.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with close attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills including the ability to lead presentations, shortlist interviews, and client-facing discussions.
• Ability to lead internal teams and external stakeholders and work independently with minimal structure.
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, Copilot); strong proficiency in Bluebeam, Excel, and takeoff or estimating software.

At Rycon Construction, Inc. we believe outstanding employees build the foundation necessary for excellence in business. It is with this belief that we are always looking for the best qualified and most talented employees to become part of our team. Rycon offers advancement opportunities along with an excellent salary and benefits package that includes, medical, dental, vision, 401k and ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). Qualified candidates will be required to submit to a background screening upon acceptance of an offer.   

Rycon Construction Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Attention: All third-party agencies, headhunters and recruiters 

Rycon Construction is not accepting candidate submission by unsolicited third parties to any company email address. All unsolicited candidates will be rejected, and Rycon Construction will not be responsible for any fees associated with unsolicited candidates, nor will a contractual relationship be formed by the submission. Rycon Construction will not be obligated and will not under any circumstances pay any fees to said third party candidates in an unsolicited manner. 

Rycon Construction only forms contracts with recruiters with whom we have an established business relationship and with whom we have a signed agreement in place. All contact with Rycon Construction from third parties must be through our Human Resources department. Outside recruiters are not to contact hiring managers directly. Any contact made outside of Rycon’s Human Resources department by a third party will cancel any future business relationship between the third party and Rycon Construction.