Preconstruction Operations ManagerLocation: Charlotte, NC
Department: Construction - Preconstruction
Reports To: Director of Construction Operations- Carolinas Region
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
This leadership position is responsible for overseeing the regional preconstruction team, managing project estimates and budgets, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring projects are thoroughly prepared for construction. The role combines team leadership with hands-on estimating, financial analysis, and subcontractor development.
With responsibility for four or more multifamily developments at various stages of preconstruction, each averaging approximately 300 units and $40 million in project value, this position plays a key role in maintaining estimating accuracy, improving project costs, and ensuring a smooth transition from design to construction.
What You'll DoPreconstruction Leadership & Operations- Lead preconstruction activities for multifamily development projects throughout the Carolinas region, beginning at the Design Development stage through completion of design and project buyout.
- Oversee the regional preconstruction team, including Estimators and the Preconstruction Coordinator.
- Establish team priorities, manage workloads, and ensure timely completion of estimates, budgets, and other preconstruction deliverables.
- Provide coaching, performance management, and professional development to team members.
- Participate in hiring and staffing decisions for the preconstruction team in coordination with Construction leadership.
- Perform hands-on estimating and other preconstruction responsibilities as project workloads require.
- Develop and improve processes that promote consistency, accuracy, and efficiency across the region.
Estimating, Budgeting & Cost Management- Lead the preparation and review of construction estimates and preliminary project budgets.
- Ensure estimates are accurate, complete, and delivered within established project timelines.
- Evaluate construction drawings, specifications, material selections, and project requirements to identify potential cost impacts.
- Develop and present value engineering recommendations and alternative material options to improve project costs while maintaining Stoa's quality standards.
- Monitor regional construction pricing trends and provide Development with regular market cost updates.
- Prepare budgets and cost-saving recommendations for leadership review and approval.
- Identify estimating discrepancies, cost risks, and opportunities to improve budget reliability.
Project Analysis & Continuous Improvement- Reconcile completed project costs against original estimates and budgets to evaluate estimating accuracy.
- Analyze cost variances, identify trends, and document lessons learned from completed projects.
- Prepare regional cost reports and recommendations to improve future estimates, material selections, and project planning.
- Work with Construction Operations and Project Managers to understand cost impacts resulting from design changes, scope gaps, and project execution.
- Apply historical project cost data and lessons learned to improve future preconstruction processes and decisions.
Subcontractor & Vendor Development- Identify, evaluate, and develop relationships with new subcontractors, suppliers, and trade partners throughout the Carolinas region.
- Expand the regional subcontractor and vendor pool to improve pricing competitiveness, trade coverage, and project readiness.
- Coordinate bid solicitations, evaluate proposals, and identify opportunities for cost savings.
- Review subcontractor scopes and bid coverage to identify potential gaps before construction begins.
- Present vendor recommendations and proposed procurement decisions for leadership approval.
Project Coordination & Construction Handoff- Coordinate with Development, Design, and Construction Operations throughout the preconstruction process.
- Support design reviews and evaluate constructability, material alternatives, and cost implications.
- Ensure project budgets, estimates, subcontractor scopes, and buyout information are complete and properly documented.
- Facilitate a smooth transition to the assigned Construction Project Manager following design completion and buyout.
- Partner with Project Managers to validate specific plan changes and resolve preconstruction-related questions.
- Identify potential scope gaps, cost exposures, and outstanding issues before project handoff.
Reporting & Cross-Functional Collaboration- Provide regular updates to Construction leadership regarding project estimates, budgets, timelines, cost-saving opportunities, and preconstruction progress.
- Communicate regional pricing trends and alternative material recommendations to Development.
- Collaborate with Project Managers to improve construction readiness and reduce scope gaps.
- Track estimating performance, project cost variances, and lessons learned across the regional portfolio.
- Recommend process improvements that strengthen estimating accuracy, cost management, and preconstruction execution.
What We're Looking ForRequired Qualifications- Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive experience in preconstruction, construction estimating, project management, or construction leadership.
- Experience with large-scale multifamily or commercial ground-up construction projects.
- Strong knowledge of construction estimating, budgeting, quantity takeoffs, value engineering, and project buyout processes.
- Experience managing multiple construction projects and competing deadlines.
- Ability to evaluate construction documents, specifications, subcontractor scopes, and project cost data.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage performance, and coordinate work across multiple departments.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to reconcile actual project costs against estimates and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Strong communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and construction estimating or project management software.
Preferred Qualifications- Prior experience in construction project management.
- Experience supervising estimators or preconstruction personnel.
- Experience with multifamily development and construction in the Carolinas region.
- Familiarity with Procore, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, or comparable software.
- Established relationships with regional subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
Core Competencies- Preconstruction operations and leadership
- Estimating accuracy and cost management
- Financial analysis and problem-solving
- Team leadership and performance management
- Value engineering and cost optimization
- Subcontractor and vendor relationship development
- Project planning and construction readiness
- Cross-functional communication
- Accountability and follow-through
- Process improvement and continuous learning
Work Environment- Based in Stoa Group's Charlotte, North Carolina office.
- Primarily office-based, with occasional travel to construction sites, subcontractors, vendors, and company locations.
- Responsible for coordinating multiple active preconstruction projects and meeting established deadlines.
- Frequent collaboration with Development, Construction Operations, and regional leadership.
What We Offer- Competitive compensation
- 100% employer-paid health insurance for employees
- Dental and vision insurance
- Retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Employee rental discount
- Professional development and career growth opportunities
