What are the responsibilities and job description for the Preconstruction Manager position at Unispace?
Preconstruction Manager
Chicago, IL | Workplace Interiors | Global Design & Build Leader
Be the reason the project gets won.
Some people price projects.
Others shape them.
This is an opportunity to join one of the world's leading workplace design & build businesses, where preconstruction isn't just estimating—it's influencing strategy, driving commercial decisions and helping deliver some of the most exciting corporate interiors projects in the US.
As our Chicago pipeline continues to grow, we're looking for an experienced Preconstruction professional who enjoys being at the front end of a project; building relationships, solving problems and helping clients bring ambitious workplace environments to life.
The Opportunity
As Preconstruction Manager, you'll take ownership of the commercial strategy from the earliest stages of a project, partnering directly with clients, designers, consultants and subcontractors to develop competitive, intelligent and commercially successful solutions.
From value engineering and estimating through to procurement strategy and client presentations, you'll play a critical role in winning work and setting projects up for success long before construction begins.
This is a highly visible position where you'll influence key commercial decisions, collaborate with industry-leading professionals and make a genuine impact on every project you touch.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading preconstruction on high-profile workplace interiors projects from concept through to construction handover.
- Developing detailed estimates, budgets and commercial strategies that set projects up for success.
- Reviewing drawings to identify constructability challenges, commercial risks and value engineering opportunities.
- Managing competitive subcontractor tender processes and building strong relationships across the local supply chain.
- Preparing and presenting commercial proposals, budgets and cost plans directly to clients.
- Working closely with Design, Delivery and Project Management teams to ensure a seamless transition into construction.
- Helping secure repeat business by delivering commercially intelligent, client-focused solutions.
What We're Looking For
We're interested in speaking with experienced professionals currently working as:
- Preconstruction Manager
- Senior Preconstruction Manager
- Senior Estimator
- Estimating Manager
- Preconstruction Lead
To be successful, you'll ideally bring:
- A strong background in commercial workplace interiors, tenant improvement or corporate fit-out projects.
- Extensive experience in estimating, cost planning and preconstruction management.
- Strong knowledge of subcontractor procurement and the local Chicago construction market.
- Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to identify risks and value engineering opportunities.
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to engage directly with clients and senior stakeholders.
- A collaborative, solutions-focused mindset and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Why Unispace?
At Unispace, we don't just build workplaces—we create environments that transform the way people work.
With studios across the globe and a reputation for delivering exceptional workplace projects for some of the world's most recognised brands, we've built our success on innovation, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Joining Unispace means becoming part of a business where your ideas are valued, your expertise makes a visible impact and your career can grow alongside an ambitious global organisation.
You'll enjoy:
- Working on high-profile workplace projects for globally recognised clients.
- A highly collaborative culture where your ideas and commercial expertise are genuinely valued.
- Direct exposure to clients, senior leadership and key project stakeholders.
- Real autonomy, ownership and the opportunity to influence projects from day one.
- Clear career progression within a growing international business.
- A business that continues to invest in its people, innovation and the future of workplace design and delivery.
Ready for your next challenge?
- If you're looking for an opportunity where you'll influence projects before a single shovel hits the ground, work alongside some of the industry's best professionals and play a key role in delivering exceptional workplace environments, we'd love to hear from you.