Infrastructure - Senior Preconstruction Project Manager

About the Company

RNGD is a rapidly scaling organization emerging as a nationally recognized leader in construction through our unique Renegade mindset focused on innovation, creativity, and culture. The team is made up of a highly engaged group of seasoned professionals and emerging leaders. We are creators who believe that what we build drives the growth of our cities and that to fulfill our mission, we must constantly challenge the old way of doing things. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, we thrive on building communities, building teams, building leaders, and growing the business throughout the Southeast region with offices in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Senior Preconstruction Project Manager to provide overall leadership and strategic oversight of the preconstruction phase for multiple, complex construction projects. This role is accountable for ensuring that all preconstruction activities meet budget, constructability, and schedule objectives, while aligning with company standards and client expectations. The Senior Preconstruction Project Manager leads and develops preconstruction teams (including estimators and support staff), collaborates closely with clients, design partners, and operations, and drives value through process improvement, cost analysis, and risk management.

 Core Responsibilities

Preconstruction Leadership

Provide overall leadership for assigned projects from conceptual budgeting through final preconstruction delivery and turnover to Operations.

Lead, mentor, and manage preconstruction personnel, including estimators and project support staff, ensuring performance, accountability, and professional growth.

Develop project-specific preconstruction plans, timelines, and deliverables.

Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and design partners during the preconstruction phase.

Facilitate constructability reviews and value engineering sessions to identify efficiencies, alternatives, and cost-saving opportunities. 

Estimating and Cost Management

Prepare and manage detailed estimates across all project phases, including conceptual, schematic, and design development.

Analyze subcontractor proposals to ensure full scope coverage, identify gaps, and validate pricing.

Partner with Operations to align budgets, schedules, and execution strategies prior to handoff.

Provide cost modeling, escalation analysis, and budget updates to support informed client and leadership decision-making.

Bid Management and Subcontractor Coordination

Develop and execute bid solicitation strategies, ensuring participation of qualified and specialized subcontractors.

Oversee preparation of complex bid packages to ensure clarity, compliance, and competitive results.

Lead scope reviews and bid leveling; confirm recommended subcontractor selections and identify buyout opportunities.

Collaborate with design partners through RFP processes, evaluate responses, and provide strategic recommendations.

Ensure bid and procurement processes comply with company standards, insurance, bonding, and scheduling requirements.

Collaboration and Client Management

Serve as the senior client-facing leader throughout preconstruction.

Lead preconstruction meetings and presentations, clearly communicating scope, budget, schedule, risks, and opportunities.

Foster strong working relationships with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.

Partner with Business Development and Operations to support pursuits and ensure seamless transition from preconstruction to construction.

Represent the company’s brand, values, and culture in all professional interactions.

Risk Management and Continuous Improvement

Identify high-risk scope elements and construction activities and develop mitigation strategies.

Lead development of clarifications, qualifications, allowances, and contingencies.

Monitor market conditions, cost trends, and supply chain risks, proactively advising leadership of potential impacts.

Ensure compliance with contractual, legal, and financial requirements throughout preconstruction.

Champion continuous improvement through adoption of new technologies, tools, and best practices.

 Preferred Qualifications

8 or more years of progressive experience in construction, with significant responsibility in preconstruction, estimating, or project controls (heavy civil, bridge, or large-scale infrastructure experience strongly preferred).

Demonstrated leadership of multiple complex preconstruction efforts simultaneously.

Extensive knowledge of heavy civil and bridge construction means, methods, sequencing, and cost drivers.

Advanced knowledge of construction forecasting, estimating, scheduling, purchasing, and cost control.

Deep understanding of constructability, systems integration, and risk management.

Proven experience leading, mentoring, and developing preconstruction teams.

Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.

 Core Competencies

RNGD Values Alignment

Exemplifies RNGD’s core values:

Renegade Mentality

Sweep Floors

Build Together

Honor Promises

Demonstrates accountability, reliability, and professionalism in daily work; listens actively; remains approachable; and contributes positively to team culture.

Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen

Understands the broader business implications of preconstruction decisions.

Balances big-picture strategy with detailed cost, schedule, and constructability analysis.

Leadership & Talent Development

Builds high-performing teams through mentorship, coaching, and clear expectation.

Creates an environment of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Client Focused Communication

Communicates complex cost and technical information clearly to diverse audiences.

Builds trust through transparency, responsiveness, and sound judgment.

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

Uses data, experience, and critical thinking to resolve complex issues.

Identifies risks early and develops proactive solutions to protect project success.

RNGD is an equal opportunity employer.