Preconstruction Manager

Job Title: Preconstruction Engineer

Job Description

The Preconstruction Engineer plays a key role in guiding projects from conceptual planning through design development and preconstruction. This position focuses on developing accurate scopes of work, maintaining detailed project schedules and budgets, and ensuring that design intent aligns with constructability and financial goals. The role requires close collaboration with clients, consultants, vendors, and internal project teams, particularly within healthcare-focused design-build projects, to support a smooth transition from concept to construction.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects through conceptual planning, design development, and preconstruction phases, ensuring alignment with overall project objectives.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive project schedules, tracking milestones and completion dates to keep projects on time.

• Create detailed scopes of work during concept and design phases to support accurate estimating and effective subcontractor procurement.

• Coordinate with clients, consultants, vendors, and project stakeholders to gather requirements and facilitate design and construction planning.

• Participate in site assessments, due diligence reviews, and evaluations of existing conditions to identify risks, constraints, and opportunities.

• Collaborate with design teams to develop space plans that meet programmatic, operational, and budget requirements, with a focus on healthcare environments.

• Manage project budgets throughout the design process by coordinating estimates, soliciting subcontractor and engineering input, and tracking cost impacts of design decisions.

• Prepare and maintain budget reports, project schedules, contracts, and other preconstruction documentation to support project transparency and control.

• Monitor financial performance of projects and proactively identify potential cost, schedule, or profitability concerns, recommending corrective actions as needed.

• Research and evaluate building systems, materials, and products to support project objectives, design intent, and long-term performance.

• Review architectural drawings, construction documents, specifications, and design packages for constructability, accuracy, and budget compliance.

• Coordinate document revisions and communicate feedback clearly to architectural and engineering partners to ensure alignment with project requirements.

• Review subcontractor proposals and submissions to confirm adherence to project requirements, design intent, and budget parameters.

• Facilitate project turnover meetings and ensure a smooth transition from preconstruction to the project management team prior to construction start.

• Support active construction projects as needed by attending jobsite meetings and assisting with design and construction-related issues.

• Travel to project sites as required to perform assessments, attend meetings, and support project delivery.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred.

• 5+ years of experience in preconstruction, construction management, architecture, engineering, or a closely related industry.

• Experience with design-build project delivery methodologies.

• Strong knowledge of budgeting, estimating, project scheduling, and construction documentation processes.

• Ability to read, interpret, and review architectural drawings, specifications, and construction documents.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Project.

• Strong client-facing communication and relationship management skills.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making abilities.

• High level of organization with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and within a collaborative team environment.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting.

• Willingness to travel as needed to support project requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare construction or healthcare design.

• Background in construction, estimation, construction management, project management, or preconstruction.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with architects, designers, project managers, and construction professionals in an integrated design-build environment.

• Interest in gaining broad exposure and ownership across multiple phases of the project lifecycle, from concept through completion.

• Ability to thrive in a setting that values collaboration, self-motivation, and versatility over highly siloed roles.

Work Environment

This role is part of a healthcare-focused, fully integrated design-build firm where architects, designers, project managers, and construction professionals work together under one roof. The team consists of approximately 50 people, fostering a strong, supportive culture and encouraging professional growth. Employees gain visibility into projects from initial client programming through construction completion, with opportunities to work directly with leadership and specialize in the growing healthcare sector. The office is located in Rosemont, IL and is accessible via the blue line, with a shuttle service that transports employees from the station to the office in about 10 minutes. The typical schedule is four days in the office and one day working from home, with an initial period of five days in the office for training until fully up to speed. The environment is fast-paced and deadline-driven, yet flexible to accommodate life events, and emphasizes collaboration, ownership, and continuous learning.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rosemont, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $67.31 - $84.13/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Rosemont,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.