Pre-Construction/Project Manager (School Construction)

Position Summary

The Pre-Construction Manager is responsible for leading and managing all pre-construction activities for the District’s school bond construction program. This role oversees planning, budgeting, design coordination, cost estimating, scheduling, and constructability reviews to ensure projects are well-defined and financially feasible before transitioning into construction. The Pre-Construction Manager works closely with architects, engineers, contractors, and District stakeholders to deliver high-quality educational facilities that align with the program’s goals, budget, and schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Planning & Development

  • Oversee pre-construction activities for all bond-funded school construction and modernization projects.

  • Collaborate with District leadership, program managers, and school site representatives to define project scope, goals, and priorities.

  • Ensure alignment of project planning with educational specifications, bond program requirements, and regulatory compliance.

• Budgeting & Cost Management

  • Develop and maintain project budgets during planning and design phases.

  • Coordinate cost estimates, value engineering, and life-cycle cost analysis to maximize bond dollars.

  • Track budget changes and provide regular financial reports to leadership.

• Design & Constructability

  • Manage design consultants to ensure project documents are complete, accurate, and within budget.

  • Conduct constructability reviews to identify risks, conflicts, and potential cost savings before bid.

  • Ensure design compliance with state (DSA), local, and District standards.

• Scheduling & Procurement

  • Prepare and maintain project schedules during pre-construction.

  • Support procurement of contractors, consultants, and vendors in accordance with public contracting laws.

  • Participate in bid evaluations, contractor selection, and contract negotiations.

• Stakeholder Coordination & Communication

  • Serve as liaison between District leadership, consultants, contractors, and community stakeholders.

  • Conduct presentations and provide status updates to the Board of Education, Bond Oversight Committees, and community groups.

Facilitate collaboration between academic, facilities, and operations staff to ensure project alignment with educational needs.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in construction project management, with at least 3 years in pre-construction for K–12, higher education, or public sector projects .

• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of construction methods, school design standards, building codes, and regulatory approval processes.

• Expertise in cost estimating, budgeting, scheduling, and constructability analysis.

• Skilled in managing design teams, consultants, and contractors in a collaborative environment.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.

• Proficiency in project management and scheduling software (e.g., Primavera, MS Project, Procore).

• Experience with bond-funded construction programs , DSA processes, and California public contracting laws strongly preferred.

Salary dependent on education and experience. Salary range: $140K-$165K

Why Choose Element Consulting?

Element Consulting is a construction management company dedicated to providing clients with responsible and innovative solutions to their project needs, from inception to completion. Based out of El Segundo, CA, the firm offers program, project, and construction management services. We invite you to join us in 'Bringing the Right Elements Together for Our Clients' Success.'