Pre Construction Manager in Houston, Texas at Camp Construction Services

Founded in 1978, CAMP Facility Services offers a vibrant work environment and a strong commitment to quality, accessible support, and holistic project management. We prioritize relationships with clients and staff alike, treating everyone like family.

Specializing in commercial construction and building maintenance, we serve construction managers, property managers, and building owners across diverse sectors. Our mission emphasizes partnership, continuous improvement through teamwork and education, and exceeding expectations to build lasting relationships based on respect and professionalism.

Why join our CAMP?

Our employees are encouraged to take advantage of an array of benefits and opportunities, including:

• Health Benefits - Medical, Dental & Vision
• 401K and Company Match Benefits
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Personal Time Off
• 1 Paid Day Off for Community Service
• Auto & Cell Phone Allowances
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Advancement Opportunities

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and disciplined Preconstruction Manager to own budgeting, competitive buyout, and project commitments for all Operations projects within the market. This role serves as the bridge between sold work and built work, converting what Sales and Estimating have won into a bought, committed, and buildable project budget before subcontractors mobilize. The Preconstruction Manager is responsible for establishing and maintaining the budget of record, executing competitive subcontractor and material buyout, ensuring all project commitments are properly documented, and supporting the Operations team in maintaining strong margin performance. The role will also coach Project Managers on budget and buyout process discipline and provide preconstruction support to Sales, Estimating, and Operations. The primary objective of this position is to convert sold work into a bought, committed, and buildable budget on every Operations project, protecting net profit pull-through and maximizing one of the company's largest margin opportunities.

The Preconstruction Manager is responsible for all Operations projects within the market, excluding Maintenance and Repair and Mitigation. The level of rigor may vary based on project size and complexity; however, the established preconstruction, budgeting, buyout, and commitment processes are required on every applicable project.

You will report to the General Manager.

How you will contribute to our Team:

• Project Budgeting: Own the project budget from Sales/Estimating handoff through preconstruction. Reconcile estimates to execution requirements, identify scope gaps and cost risks, incorporate approved changes/RFIs, and maintain a single, accurate budget of record.

• Competitive Buyout: Lead subcontractor and material buyout by soliciting, leveling, and negotiating competitive bids. Ensure scopes, pricing, schedules, and qualifications align with company standards and track buyout savings against budget.

• Commitments & Subcontracts: Issue accurate subcontracts and purchase orders before mobilization, ensuring scope, pricing, schedule, and terms are clearly defined. Maintain accurate cost commitments and identify gaps that could create financial exposure.

• Subcontractor & Vendor Management: Partner with Subcontractor Management and Recruiting to maintain a qualified, competitive vendor base. Evaluate capacity, availability, performance, and market pricing while identifying opportunities to improve competition and execution.

• Standards & Process Improvement: Implement National COE standards, including cost sheets, scopes of work, qualification requirements, and preconstruction processes. Provide local and field feedback to strengthen companywide standards and consistency.

• RFI Management: Own the preconstruction RFI process, including tracking questions, responses, cost impacts, and budget updates. Ensure unresolved RFIs and clarifications are properly transitioned to the Project Manager.

• Sales & Preconstruction Support: Support Sales and Estimating with constructability, pricing, subcontractor availability, schedule feasibility, and risk assessments. Serve as the primary preconstruction contact for LAMs, NAMs, and clients.

• Scheduling: Develop realistic project schedules that support operational execution as well as Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable requirements. Coordinate with Project Managers to ensure schedules are achievable and aligned with field execution.

• Buyout Review: Lead buyout review sessions, focusing on budget, procurement, commitments, and preconstruction decisions. Drive accountability and resolution of issues before work begins while reducing unnecessary GM/PM meeting requirements.

• Own subcontractor and vendor awards and pricing within the GM-approved budget.
• Own subcontract agreements and purchase orders.
• Own the project budget of record, subject to GM approval for exceptions and contingency releases.
• Field Operations retains responsibility for field execution, labor, and subcontractor performance.
• National COE owns standardized cost sheets, templates, scopes, and qualification requirements; the Preconstruction Manager is responsible for local implementation and feedback.

Our Requirements:

Required

• 5+ years of experience in construction or restoration preconstruction, estimating, competitive buyout, or project management.
• Demonstrated experience with competitive subcontractor buyout and subcontract negotiation.
• Ability to read, develop, and manage detailed project budgets and cost sheets.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and financial discipline.
• Working knowledge of subcontract terms, insurance requirements, purchase orders, and commitment systems.
• Ability to influence, coach, and hold Project Managers accountable without direct reporting authority.
• Strong communication, organization, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Experience across multiple markets or lines of business, including restoration, exteriors/roofing, interiors, and/or Maintenance and Repair.
• Experience implementing or rolling out a new buyout or preconstruction process.
• Xactimate and/or other estimating platform proficiency.
• Prior P&L, job-cost, or project margin accountability.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field.

CAMP is an EOE employer and pay is DOE.