Senior Preconstruction Manager / Estimator

Senior Preconstruction Manager / Estimator

Location: Roseville, CA OR Emeryville, CA

Salary Range: $140,000 to $170,000 annually, commensurate with experience

Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt | In-Person

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Preconstruction Manager/Estimator leads and assists with CORE’s most complex and highest value public sector pursuits and preconstruction assignments, including K through 12, higher education, and civic/municipal projects delivered via progressive design build, lease leaseback, and CM at Risk. Reporting to the Director of Preconstruction, this role owns the full preconstruction lifecycle from early concept and master planning through GMP execution and subcontractor buyout, serves as the primary preconstruction point of contact for owners and design partners, and provides technical leadership and mentorship to project estimators and preconstruction staff. This is a senior, client facing role requiring executive level communication, sound commercial judgment, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent pursuits and complex risk profiles across a multi office region. Success in this role depends on close teamwork and a servant leadership mindset applied to every interaction.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own preconstruction strategy and execution on CORE’s largest and most complex public sector pursuits, from early master planning/concept through GMP and subcontractor buyout

• Serve as primary preconstruction lead and client point of contact, building and maintaining long term owner and design partner relationships

• Direct and provide quality control for detailed scope development, unit rate pricing, and line item cost estimating produced by project estimators; provide final review and sign off on GMP packages

• Lead subcontractor solicitation, bid review, negotiation, and buyout strategy on high value and high risk trade packages

• Identify, quantify, and proactively manage project risk across cost, schedule, constructability, and scope; develop and present mitigation strategies to leadership and ownership

• Lead constructability reviews, value engineering workshops, and design phase problem solving to protect project budgets and schedules

• Mentor, train, and provide technical oversight to preconstruction managers, estimators, and coordinators; support their professional development

• Significantly contribute to major pursuit and proposal efforts, including cost strategy, interview participation, and client presentations

• Partner with the Director of Preconstruction on department standards, estimating processes, and continuous improvement initiatives

• Maintain accurate, organized project files, cost databases, and estimate documentation within CORE’s standard systems (e.g., Destini, Smartsheet)

• Ensure rigorous compliance with California public contract law, DSA/HCAI requirements, prevailing wage, and skilled and trained workforce rules across assigned projects

• Collaborate with preconstruction and construction operations team members, and work effectively within a close team environment

• Travel as needed, primarily within the Sacramento/Roseville region, with periodic travel to support Bay Area and rural Northern California project assignments

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of progressive experience in construction estimating and preconstruction management with a general contractor, construction manager, or design build firm, including demonstrated leadership of preconstruction on complex, high value projects

• Demonstrated track record scoping and estimating projects from concept/master planning through construction documents on public sector work

• Substantial hands on experience with progressive design build, lease leaseback, and/or CM at Risk delivery, including leading GMP development and negotiation

• Strong, verifiable track record on California public sector projects, including K through 12, higher education, and/or civic/municipal, required

• Demonstrated leadership of subcontractor solicitation, bid review, negotiation, and buyout on complex, multi package projects

• Experience mentoring, training, or technically leading junior estimators and preconstruction staff

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to lead client and design team meetings and presentations at an executive level

• Working knowledge of California public contract law, prevailing wage requirements, skilled and trained workforce rules, and the DSA/HCAI review process

• Proficiency with standard estimating and project tools (Bluebeam Revu, Microsoft Project, Excel); experience with Destini (Beck Technology) is highly desired but not required

• Valid California driver’s license and the ability to travel as needed within Northern California

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Confident, organized self starter with a strong work ethic and high personal accountability

• Team oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate effectively across offices, disciplines, and project delivery teams

• Sound analytical and problem solving skills; exercises good judgment under deadline pressure

• High attention to detail and accuracy in cost estimating, scope documentation, and correspondence

• Ability to identify and manage project risk through constructability review, scheduling awareness, and proactive problem solving

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent pursuits and active preconstruction assignments simultaneously

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Primarily an in office role based at CORE’s Roseville, CA or Emeryville, CA office; this is not a remote position

• Occasional site visits to active project sites and design meetings; may require walking active construction sites, climbing stairs/ladders, and wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working at a computer

• Occasional local and regional travel, including day trips and occasional overnight travel to support Bay Area and rural Northern California projects

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Benefits Options include: Medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, life and disability insurance

Additional Benefits Paid time off, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, CCG Perks; Employee Assistance Program, Basic Life and Long-term disability at no charge to employee

Retirement 401(k) retirement plan with company match options

Equipment Company provided cell phone or monthly cell reimbursement, laptop, and all necessary hardware, software, and job related tools

Travel Costs Gas covered for work related travel; no company vehicle is provided

Work Arrangement Full time, in office. This position does not offer remote work.

Bonus Eligible for a discretionary year end bonus

CORE provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.