Preconstruction Operations Manager

Preconstruction Operations Manager

Location: Charlotte, NC Department: Construction – Preconstruction Reports To: Director of Construction Operations- Carolinas Region Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Lead Preconstruction. Drive Cost Accuracy. Build Better Projects.

Stoa Group is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Operations Manager to lead preconstruction activities across our Carolinas region.

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 Do

Preconstruction 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 For

Required 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.

Our Values

Every Stoa team member is expected to operate by three core principles:

Quality: Do it right the first time.

Schedule: Execution, not excuses.

Relationships: Do what you say you're going to do.

Why Stoa?

Stoa Group is a vertically integrated real estate development, construction, and property management company recognized nationally as one of the Top Employers in Multifamily.

We develop communities we intend to own and manage for the long term. Our integrated approach allows our teams to collaborate from initial development through construction and ongoing operations, with a focus on quality, accountability, and long-term performance.

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

Stoa Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.