Preconstruction Manager - Foundations - Michels Power, Inc.

Preconstruction Manager - Power Foundations

Power Foundations | Transmission Foundations | Substation Foundations | Design-Build | Preconstruction

Location: Nationwide - Project-Based
Employment Type: Full-Time
Travel: Approximately 25-50% Travel Required
Build the Plan Before the Project Begins

The most successful projects are built long before construction starts. Accurate estimating, strategic procurement planning, schedule development, risk assessment, and early collaboration are critical to delivering safe, profitable, and successful projects.

As a Preconstruction Manager - Power Foundations, you will lead preconstruction efforts supporting complex transmission, substation, renewable energy, and power infrastructure foundation projects across North America. You will play a critical role in evaluating opportunities, developing project execution strategies, managing preconstruction activities, and partnering with customers, engineering teams, operations, procurement, and construction personnel to position projects for success.
Position Overview

As a Preconstruction Manager - Power Foundations, you will manage the preconstruction phase of foundation construction projects and serve as a key link between business development, estimating, procurement, and operations teams.

You will lead project planning efforts including scope development, estimating, budgeting, scheduling, procurement planning, risk assessment, constructability reviews, and design coordination. Working closely with customers, design professionals, suppliers, and internal stakeholders, you will help develop competitive and executable project solutions that support both customer goals and company objectives.

Success requires strong estimating and project management experience, a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction activities for power foundation projects from opportunity identification through project turnover.
• Manage project scope definition, budgeting, estimating, schedule development, procurement planning, and risk analysis activities.
• Coordinate with operations, procurement, and estimating teams to develop executable project plans.
• Support customer relationships and serve as a key point of contact during the preconstruction phase.
• Drive collaboration between internal and external stakeholders to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

• Lead the preconstruction planning process for transmission, substation, renewable energy, and power foundation projects.
• Develop project budgets, cost estimates, schedules, execution plans, and risk assessments.
• Prepare accurate and competitive cost estimates that account for labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and indirect costs.
• Coordinate design activities and support Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows when applicable.
• Partner with operations teams to evaluate constructability, execution strategies, resource requirements, and schedule assumptions.
• Collaborate with procurement personnel to develop procurement strategies and support long-lead material planning.
• Manage solicitation and evaluation of proposals from engineering firms, suppliers, subcontractors, and specialty vendors.
• Participate in contract negotiations and support development of commercial strategies.
• Travel to customer locations and project sites to understand project requirements and develop execution plans.
• Interface directly with customers to provide updates on project development, budgets, schedules, risks, and cost projections.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation plans that support successful execution.
• Support design-build and EPC pursuits through early-stage planning, estimating, and coordination activities.
• Ensure compliance with project specifications, quality standards, permitting requirements, and customer expectations.
• Research industry trends, market conditions, new technologies, and construction methods to improve project performance and competitiveness.
• Support seamless turnover of awarded projects to Project Management and Operations teams.

Foundation Market Focus

This role may support projects involving:

• Transmission Line Foundations
• Transmission Structure Foundations
• Substation Foundations
• Drilled Shafts
• Spread Footings
• Micropiles
• Helical Piles
• Ground Improvement Systems
• Switchyard Foundations
• Renewable Energy Infrastructure
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Heavy Civil Foundation Construction
• EPC Power Delivery Projects

Comprehensive Benefits Package

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Legal Plan
• Identity Theft Protection and Monitoring Plan

Benefits may vary based on position and location.
What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Project Management, Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field and 3-5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in construction estimating and project management.
• Experience supporting heavy civil, foundation, utility, transmission, substation, renewable energy, power delivery, industrial, or infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of construction estimating, budgeting, scheduling, procurement planning, risk management, and project execution.
• Ability to develop detailed cost estimates and analyze project risks, opportunities, and constructability considerations.
• Experience supporting design-build, EPC, or collaborative project delivery methods is preferred.
• Strong customer relationship management and communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with customers, consultants, vendors, and internal teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with estimating software, scheduling software, BIM platforms, or construction management systems is preferred.
• PE or PMP certification is preferred but not required.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to travel to customer locations and project sites as required.

Join a company that powers progress. Be a part of Michels Power, Inc.-where you don't just build projects, you build a career.