Preconstruction Manager

Pre-construction Manager Location: Sarasota, FloridaSchedule: Primarily office-based with regular project site visitsThe OpportunityA growing real estate development company is seeking a Construction Project Manager to oversee commercial retail development projects, with a strong emphasis on preconstruction, civil coordination, and site development.This owner-side role will guide projects from early planning, budgeting, and design coordination through permitting, contractor selection, construction, and turnover. Projects are primarily horizontal and sitework-heavy, including clearing, grading, drainage, stormwater systems, utilities, paving, and related improvements.The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience moving projects from civil design into construction, identifying site-development challenges early, and managing the costs, approvals, and coordination required to prepare a site for development. Candidates with residential land-development, civil construction, or commercial site-development experience are encouraged to apply.ResponsibilitiesLead preconstruction coordination, including preliminary budgets, site-development schedules, scope development, and contractor input.Coordinate civil engineers, architects, surveyors, geotechnical consultants, and other project consultants.Review civil plans, surveys, geotechnical reports, and construction documents to identify scope gaps, constructability issues, and potential cost or schedule impacts.Coordinate permitting, plan reviews, utility approvals, and municipal requirements with consultants and jurisdictional authorities.Develop and refine project budgets as designs progress, incorporating contractor pricing and value-engineering opportunities.Manage bidding and contractor procurement, including bid comparisons, scope reviews, contract negotiations, and award recommendations.Oversee clearing, earthwork, grading, drainage, stormwater infrastructure, underground utilities, paving, and landscaping.Coordinate utility providers and contractors to manage service availability, connections, relocations, and installation schedules.Manage construction schedules, sequencing, and the transition from preconstruction into field execution.Review contracts, invoices, payment applications, and change orders.Conduct regular site visits, monitor construction progress, and coordinate resolution of field issues.Lead project meetings and track budgets, schedules, risks, approvals, and outstanding decisions across multiple projects.Manage inspections, punch lists, closeout documentation, and project turnover.QualificationsMinimum of five years of relevant project-management experience, with meaningful responsibility for preconstruction and civil/site development.Experience in residential land development, commercial site development, civil construction, or a comparable development environment.Demonstrated experience managing projects through planning, civil design coordination, permitting, bidding, and construction.Strong working knowledge of earthwork, grading, drainage, stormwater systems, underground utilities, and paving.Ability to read and interpret civil engineering plans, surveys, geotechnical reports, and construction documents.Experience developing budgets, evaluating contractor bids, reviewing scopes, and managing change orders.Experience coordinating engineers, consultants, municipalities, utility providers, and site contractors.Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.Ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and standard project-management tools.Willingness to travel regularly to active project sites.Preferred ExperienceOwner-side or developer-side project management.Residential land development involving roads, utilities, drainage, and lot infrastructure.Commercial retail or single-tenant development.Early site due diligence, site feasibility reviews, and identification of development constraints.Value engineering and constructability reviews during design and preconstruction.Coordination of off-site improvements, utility extensions, and municipal infrastructure requirements.Compensation and BenefitsStrong base salary.Medical, dental, and vision insurance.Life and disability insurance.401(k) with company match.Generous paid time off.Annual performance reviews.Collaborative and growth-oriented work environment.