Preconstruction Manager, Institutional Buildings / Estimator

Job Location

- Vancouver, BC

Build the foundation for successful projects.

Preconstruction is where projects are envisioned, planned, and positioned for success. As a Preconstruction Manager, you will lead the entire preconstruction phase for complex institutional and ICI projects across British Columbia, ensuring alignment between scope, schedule, budget, procurement strategy, constructability, and risk.

In this leadership role, you will serve as the primary point of accountability throughout the pursuit and preconstruction process, guiding multidisciplinary teams from early opportunity assessment through project award and handoff to operations. You will collaborate with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders to develop winning strategies, optimize designs, and ensure projects are positioned for successful execution.

This role is ideal for a strategic construction professional with extensive experience delivering institutional projects in BC and a proven ability to lead teams, build relationships, and drive successful pursuits.

What you will do?

• 10+ years of progressive experience in preconstruction, estimating, and project planning within the ICI sector, with significant experience delivering institutional projects across British Columbia.
• Proven track record leading the full preconstruction lifecycle for complex healthcare, post-secondary, K-12, civic, and public-sector projects.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and mentoring high-performing estimating and preconstruction teams.
• Deep understanding of BC public procurement processes, institutional project delivery models, and competitive pursuit strategies.
• Expertise in conceptual estimating, cost planning, value engineering, constructability reviews, risk management, and budget development.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to build trusted relationships with clients, consultants, architects, engineers, and trade partners.
• Strong commercial and strategic acumen, with the ability to identify project opportunities, manage risk, and develop winning pursuit strategies.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the BC institutional construction market, including subcontractor networks, procurement practices, labour conditions, and market trends.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and align operations, estimating, scheduling, and business development functions around a shared project vision.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and client-facing skills, with experience leading interviews, workshops, and executive-level discussions.
• Degree or diploma in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• Professional designation such as P.Eng., PQS, Gold Seal, or equivalent is considered an asset.

What you bring?

• 10+ years of progressive experience in estimating, preconstruction, or project planning within the ICI construction sector, with a strong focus on institutional projects in British Columbia.
• Demonstrated experience delivering preconstruction services for healthcare, post-secondary, K-12, civic, government, and other public-sector facilities.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing estimating or preconstruction teams.
• Proven success leading complex bids and preconstruction efforts from concept through project award.
• Strong knowledge of public procurement processes, tendering requirements, and institutional project delivery methods including Construction Management, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and Stipulated Price contracts.
• Experience working directly with public owners, consultants, architects, engineers, user groups, and multidisciplinary stakeholder teams.
• Degree or diploma in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of the BC construction market, including subcontractor networks, labour conditions, procurement practices, and regional cost drivers.
• Expertise in conceptual estimating, budgeting, cost planning, value engineering, constructability reviews, and risk analysis.
• Ability to interpret complex drawings, specifications, contracts, and procurement documents with a strategic and detail-oriented approach.
• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, and relationship-management skills.
• Collaborative and solutions-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering high-quality, competitive, and client-focused outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading the preconstruction of institutional projects valued between $50 million and $500 million+.
• Established relationships with institutional clients, consultants, and trade partners across British Columbia.
• Experience delivering projects for health authorities, school districts, municipalities, universities, Crown corporations, and other public-sector organizations.
• Professional designation such as P.Eng., PQS, Gold Seal, or equivalent industry accreditation is considered an asset.

Benefits

• RRSP with up to 5% employer matching
• Hybrid work model for corporate roles
• Employee stock ownership program
• Career growth through real development opportunities
• Transit pass reimbursement — get to work for free
• Minimum 4 weeks of vacation from day one

For the past six years, we've proudly held the distinction of being one of Canada's Top 100 Employers.

The expected compensation range posted for this role applies to available work locations in Ontario and/or British Columbia. Offered compensation may vary from the posted range based on a candidate’s relevant skills, experience, qualifications, geographic location, and the final job for which they are hired.

Please view this job on Pomerleau’s official Career Site if the posted compensation range is unavailable on a third‑party job board.

Pomerleau is a national leader in construction, delivering major projects across Canada. We believe in creating a workplace where people feel respected, supported, and empowered to grow. Our culture is built on collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to doing great work.