What are the responsibilities and job description for the Preconstruction Manager position at Appleton Finn?
We are partnered with a leading Pacific Northwest commercial general contractor known for delivering complex projects across life sciences, healthcare, higher education, and advanced commercial environments. With a strong regional reputation and consistent project pipeline, they are seeking a Preconstruction Manager to support early-phase project strategy and lead major pursuits across the Seattle market.
This role offers the opportunity to influence some of the region’s most technically complex projects from concept through GMP.
Position Overview
The Senior Preconstruction Manager will lead preconstruction strategy across multiple large-scale commercial and technical building projects. This individual will work closely with ownership groups, design teams, and internal operations leadership to develop budgets, guide design decisions, and position projects for successful delivery.
This is a highly visible role supporting negotiated work and repeat-client programs throughout the Puget Sound region.
Key Responsibilities
Preconstruction Leadership
- Lead preconstruction efforts from conceptual estimating through GMP development
- Manage internal estimating teams and external trade partner engagement
- Develop cost models aligned with evolving design milestones
- Provide strategic input on constructability, sequencing, and delivery approach
Client & Design Team Collaboration
- Partner closely with owners, architects, and consultants during early design phases
- Support programming, feasibility studies, and value analysis exercises
- Help guide scope alignment and budget decisions throughout design progression
- Maintain strong relationships across repeat-client programs
Estimating & Cost Strategy
- Prepare conceptual and schematic estimates for complex building programs
- Lead subcontractor bid packaging and scope alignment
- Oversee risk identification and contingency planning
- Support procurement strategy and early trade engagement
Project Pursuit Support
- Contribute to proposal strategy and interview preparation
- Support negotiated project pursuits with existing clients
- Assist in positioning projects for successful transitions into operations
Preferred Project Experience
Strong consideration will be given to candidates with experience supporting:
- Life sciences and laboratory construction
- Healthcare facilities
- Higher education campus projects
- Corporate office and technical commercial developments
- Design-assist or negotiated delivery environments
Qualifications
- 10 years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience
- Proven leadership delivering complex negotiated projects in the Seattle market
- Strong understanding of conceptual estimating and design-phase cost modeling
- Experience collaborating directly with architects and ownership teams
- Familiarity with early trade partner engagement strategies
- Strong communication skills and client-facing confidence
Why This Opportunity?
- Base salary up to $240,000
- Strong pipeline of negotiated technical building projects
- Long-standing relationships with repeat institutional clients
- Collaborative preconstruction culture with early project influence
- Clear pathway toward Director-level preconstruction leadership 📈
Salary : $165,000 - $240,000