Preconstruction Manager / Estimator

A self-performing contractor in the Southeast is building out its preconstruction team and looking for a Preconstruction Manager / Estimator to own pursuits end to end. This is a role where accuracy, client trust, and honest pricing matter more than aggressive numbers. If you’ve spent 5+ years turning drawings into bids that actually work, this is worth a conversation.

What You Will Run

You’ll guide individual projects from initial strategy through site walks, scope development, and proposal submission. You’ll own the relationship with clients, architects, and trade partners, and hand off awarded work cleanly to the operations team. The work breaks into four core areas:

Estimating and Takeoff

Pull quantities directly from plans and specs

Price labor, equipment, overhead, and insurance for each scope

Build and maintain pricing databases and historical cost records

Look for smarter materials or methods that hold quality while trimming cost

Bid Management

Lead pre-bid meetings and site walks

Build proposals that are accurate, well-organized, and competitive

Serve as the straightforward point of contact for clients and contractors

Hand off projects to operations with clear scope and realistic numbers

Trade Partner Relationships

Reach out to subcontractors and suppliers for pricing and coverage

Compare and level bids to build a defensible number

Grow relationships with trade partners over time, built on follow-through

Stay aligned with Purchasing, Accounting, and Project Management

Risk and Market Awareness

Flag exposure from material delays, price swings, weather, and site conditions

Factor safety realistically into scope and sequencing

Track market and industry pricing trends to keep estimates grounded

Mentor and develop other estimating staff as the team grows

What It Takes

5+ years of commercial construction estimating experience across hard bid, design-build, and negotiated work

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Construction Technology, or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience

Fluency with estimating software, drawings, specifications, contracts, and cost coding

A track record that shows up in the numbers: satisfied clients, few budget disputes, healthy margins, on-time delivery

Comfort working across every phase of a project, from early pre-planning through closeout

Experience guiding or mentoring other estimators is a plus

You say what’s true, even when a rosier number would be easier to sell. You’re confident in the work but don’t need to be the smartest person in the room. You genuinely enjoy the people side of the job, not just the spreadsheet. You keep a level head when juggling several deadlines at once, and you’re always looking for a better way to do something.

Compensation and Location

100,000 to 130,000 per year. Position is based in Nashville, TN or Jackson, MS.

At a glance

Location: Tennessee

Compensation: $100,000 to $130,000 per year

Recruiter: Amundson Group, veteran-owned, construction-only

Apply or ask about this role . Conversations are confidential; if this role is not the fit, we likely have the one that is.