Job Description

ABOUT US:

We are a nationally ranked, safety-focused, and talent-driven organization focused on delivering project management services through tailored delivery models. Our strength is our ability to match a delivery model to specific project needs, making the construction process feel easy.

Our foundation is built on our people, culture, and values. Our teammates come first. We support each other through successes and failures and respect each other's ideas and opinions. We are a people first company. We know there is always a way to do it better, so we seek and nurture curious minds with a desire to solve problems and move forward by being creative and curious together. We celebrate each other's successes and acknowledge hard work, because we know our people are the backbone of our success. #StrongerTogether!

Leading with safety is our no. 1 priority. We believe it is a fundamental human right to have a safe workplace, so we dedicate ourselves to creating safe environments for our people and everyone we do business with.

In addition to a positive atmosphere, a happy, healthy, and supportive work environment is especially important. Upon joining CSM Group we will provide you with a robust onboarding program to expose you to broad aspects of the organization by meeting with operations, business leaders and peers to better understand how we operate.

The Senior Preconstruction Manager works closely with internal teammates, the design team, and the owner to provide preconstruction planning support on multiple projects, including the development of bid strategy, scope writing, developing project schedules, bid solicitations, pre-construction meeting walk-throughs, and post-bid interviews. You will provide support to the Director of Preconstruction in creating strategic direction for the Preconstruction department and leadership of its subject matter experts.

The Senior Preconstruction Manager reports to the Preconstruction Director. S/he works closely and interacts with the pre-construction department and project leaders in execution.

This is a full-time FLSA-exempt position. It requires 40 work hours per week and the ability to work more if required.

Location: Interested in local to Kalamazoo or remote, based in Austin, TX region.

Industry: Preconstruction

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Preconstruction Leadership (85%)
  • Own the entire preconstruction strategy and execution for assigned projects, overseeing all preconstruction activities from concept through handoff.
  • Serve as the right hand to the Preconstruction Department Lead, helping shape department strategy, standards, processes, procedures, and long‑term goals.
  • Partner with Marketing and Execution Teams on RFP review, proposal development, and pursuit strategy.
  • Attend preconstruction meetings and site walk‑throughs, providing input on planning, logistics, safety, and constructability.
  • Lead review of engineering and design documents, drawings, specifications, and project schedules to ensure completeness, coordination, and constructability.
  • Support and at times lead development of budgets based on logistics, phasing, sequencing, design intent, and constructability.
  • Own development of all key preconstruction deliverables, including:
    • Construction schedules
    • Work scopes
    • Bid strategies
    • Bidder lists
    • Project manuals and supporting documents
  • Develop value‑add and value‑engineering options aligned with project goals and cost targets.
  • Attend and sometimes lead pre‑bid walkthroughs, bidder engagement calls, and post‑bid interviews.
  • Oversee bidder RFIs/BRFIs, coordinate clarifications, and ensure timely, accurate communication with bidders.
  • Attend project kickoff and transition meetings to ensure seamless handoff to Project Management.
  • Lead early planning and collaborate with architects, engineers, and consultants to evaluate feasibility, regulatory requirements, design alternatives, site conditions, and cost impacts.
  • Develop and manage cost estimates, budgets, and conceptual/pro forma pricing throughout all design phases, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and traceability.
  • Create project pricing strategies and ensure high‑quality preconstruction deliverables for sales presentations, client meetings, and stakeholder updates.
  • Drive cost leadership, maintaining alignment between design evolution and budget expectations, while recommending cost‑saving opportunities and risk‑mitigation strategies
• Departmental Initiatives, Leadership & Training (10%)
  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers, and trade partners; represent the company professionally at external functions.
  • Conduct SWOT analysis and collect lessons learned at project closeout for continuous improvement of preconstruction processes.
  • Support departmental process improvement initiatives, including standardization, tool development, and workflow enhancements.
  • Assist with strategic planning, departmental goal setting, and execution of annual initiatives.
  • Support onboarding and training of new team members; directly mentor Preconstruction Specialists, Coordinators, and Project Managers.
  • Lead and manage Preconstruction team members by assigning work, monitoring performance, providing coaching, and driving engagement.
  • Provide input into the preconstruction departmental budget and contribute to quarterly corporate reporting.
• Estimating (5%)
• Prepare conceptual, site, development, and construction drawing estimates as required.
• Perform budget/bid accuracy analysis to compare estimates against actual cost outcomes and improve future pricing reliability.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• 4-Year College Degree in Construction Management, Project Management or Engineering (or equivalent field experience).
• 5+ years of field experience.
• Knowledge inMicrosoft Office Suite of products: Outlook, Word, Excel, Project, Power Point (Desired knowledge includes: Bluebeam, Timberscan, Procore).
• Certification- Minimum OSHA 30.

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• Customer Focus
  • You gain insight into customer needs.
  • You identify opportunities that benefit the customer
  • You build and deliver solutions that meet customer expectations.
  • You establish and maintain effective customer relationships.
• Directs Work
  • You provide clear direction and accountabilities.
  • You delegate and distribute assignments and decisions appropriately.
  • You monitor progress by maintaining dialogue on work and results.
  • You provide appropriate guidance and direction based on people's capabilities.
  • You intervene as needed to remove obstacles.
• Manages Conflict
  • You step up to conflict and see it as an opportunity.
  • You work out tough agreements and settle disputes equitably
  • You facilitate breakthroughs by integrating diverse views and finding common ground or acceptable alternatives.
  • You settle differences productively with minimum noise.
• Resourcefulness
  • You effectively organize resources (people, material, etc.) to get things done.
  • You effectively orchestrate multiple activities simultaneously to accomplish your project.
  • You get the most out of limited resources.
  • You apply knowledge of internal structures, processes, and culture to resourcing efforts.

BENEFITS FOR THIS POSITION INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Package
  • Eligibility begins date of hire
  • Telemedicine included in the benefit package at no additional charge to the employee
  • Company provided annual HSA contributions
  • Dependent care FSA, Medical FSA, Limited care FSA
• Unlimited Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Pay
  • 6 Paid U.S. Holidays
  • 2 Paid Floating Holidays
    • Employees hired on or after July 1 will receive 1 Floating holiday that year.
• Retirement Savings Plan 401(k)
  • Employees have the option to contribute to Traditional and/or Roth 401(k) plans.
  • Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
  • Individual & group learning sessions on portfolio planning
  • 100% vesting after 3 years of service
• Bi-weekly cell phone stipend
• Employer Paid Enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Including but not limited to: Emotional well-being, family and relationships, legal and financial matters, healthy lifestyles, work and life transitions
  • Access to EAP professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week
  • 3 face-to-face sessions with a counselor (per area of support per household per calendar year)
• Service includes eligible dependents
• Personal, competency-based development program to assist in future career growth
• Wellness Program
• Paid Parental Leave Policy: Maternal, Paternal & Adoption
• Company Paid Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Optional Term Life and AD&D Insurance
• Annual apparel allotment
• Corporate and Community Events

Physical Demands & Work Environment – Jobsite
The physical demands & work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Please reach out to People Operations should you require such accommodation(s).
While performing this job, the employee may be regularly required to drive to and from the job sites/assigned locations, sit, walk, stand, talk, hear, and smell. A major portion of the employees’ tasks requires extensive walking around the job site, including active construction areas. The employee is required to traverse uneven terrain and work from ladders, scaffolds, and other structures, as well as work at variable heights. The employee is frequently required to use hands to handle tools; controls, and fine motor coordination like computer work. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. The employee must also occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
For Field positions, while performing this job, the employee must frequently inspect the project site and may be exposed to ongoing construction activities, vibrations, noise, and various outside weather conditions (in all seasons). The work environment involves moderate risks which may require safety precautions. The noise level in the work environment may range from quiet to loud. The proper use of Personnel Protective Equipment (including but not limited to safety boots, hard hats, and protective eyewear) is required on the job site. This Position Description reflects the position’s essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
CSM Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We celebrate diversity and invite all qualified applicants to apply without fear of judgment and pledge not to discriminate against individuals because of their race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender or gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, veteran status, age, or any other status protected under applicable laws.