Why Tarlton Tarlton is a St. Louis-based general contractor and construction manager specializing in complex, technically demanding projects across the Midwest. With deep regional roots and a reputation built on trust, teamwork, and repeat clients, we are known for taking on challenging work and delivering it safely, predictably, and with pride. We conduct our business with safety, quality, integrity, and enthusiasm - and our core values include building a safe and caring environment. Let’s Build! At Tarlton, our Preconstruction Managers directly manage client relationships, with the freedom to solve problems and influence how projects take shape. It’s a big reason clients and design teams build lasting partnerships with us, and why most of our work comes from repeat clients. We’re growing, expanding our footprint, and partnering with some of the largest owners in the region. We’re known for turnkey preconstruction and for attention to detail that sets projects up for success early, when good thinking matters most. In this role, you’re the client’s trusted advisor from the first conversation through contract award. You’ll work directly with owners, architects, and engineers, and alongside our company leadership and market leaders. You’ll see a wide range of projects, carry real responsibility, and have a seat at the table when decisions are made. Our group is highly independent, and you’ll have room to think creatively, backed by the proven standards that make our work consistent.
Your Role We’re hiring for two different Preconstruction Manager roles, one in Special Projects and one in Building. Each is described below. Preconstruction Manager – Special Projects Help shape the next stage of strategic growth for Special Projects, a growing area of our business that delivers a high volume of renovation, tenant improvement, facility improvement, and focused capital projects for repeat clients under master service agreements. You’ll shape projects from the very beginning, leading the pursuit team, developing conceptual budgets, monitoring design progression, managing value engineering and risk, and building the guaranteed maximum price. Working across a diverse mix of markets and project types, you’ll build a skill set and career few roles can match. You’ll spend much of your time where our clients work, using your communication skills to solve problems, strengthen relationships, and develop new business. You’ll build on a strong base of existing clients while helping bring exciting new ones through the door. Along the way, you’ll work alongside a team of high achievers and engage with company leaders to guide the group’s decisions and strategy as it grows. Preconstruction Manager – Building Join a group with a legacy of delivering building projects that spans generations, and a clear path for continued growth. Our Building group pursues commercial, institutional, healthcare, life science, and higher education work, including both new construction and renovations. From early concept through final design, you’ll lead the pursuit team, develop conceptual budgets and milestone estimates, reconcile them as the design evolves, manage value engineering and risk, and build the guaranteed maximum price. You’ll partner closely with owners, architects, and engineers, bringing the insight that turns early ideas into buildable, well-planned projects. You’ll build upon long-standing client relationships while developing new business and helping bring new clients through the door. Along the way, you’ll work alongside an experienced team and engage with company leaders to guide the group’s decisions and strategy as it grows. What You'll Do Client and Design Team Partnership
- Lead preconstruction on competitive and negotiated pursuits across CM at Risk and design-build delivery, from concept through contract award, serving as the primary point of contact for the owner, architect, and engineer.
- Work with owners and design teams to define project scope, goals, and budget at the earliest stages.
- Lead project meetings throughout preconstruction and report on progress, decisions, and open items.
- Apply collaborative delivery principles to help clients save time and money and meet their deadlines and budgets.
- Partner with Marketing on how cost and scope information is presented to clients.
Conceptual and Milestone Budgets
- Execute a complete review of bid/budget documents, and determine what requires clarification on major pursuits.
- Develop conceptual budgets, often before design begins, and milestone estimates at schematic design, design development, and construction document stages.
- Prepare detailed takeoff and pricing from minimal information, and organize cost information for client presentations.
- Monitor design progression, reconcile estimates between design milestones, and lead value engineering with the design team, including priced options and alternates, maintaining the value engineering log.
- Prepare general conditions costs and narrative reports outlining the budgeted scope of work.
- Engage subcontractors and suppliers early for budget validation and current market pricing.
- Review area labor agreements for work rules and wage determinations.
Design Phase, Constructability, and Risk
- Develop the preconstruction schedule, milestone dates, and design deliverable expectations.
- Manage design-phase document flow and drive constructability reviews with operations and field leadership.
- Evaluate phasing, logistics, sequencing, constructability and alternatives for each budget, providing best value for the client.
- Identify risk, escalation, and allowances, and develop the guaranteed maximum price with clear qualifications.
- Coordinate site visits and review existing conditions, as-built documents, and surveys on renovation work.
Pursuit Strategy and Business Development
- Set bid strategy and partner with the Director of Preconstruction, Business Development, and company leadership on go/no-go analysis.
- Partner with Business Development and Operations on pipeline development, capture plans, and win strategy.
- Lead bid day on assigned pursuits, negotiate subcontractor and supplier pricing, and determine the final numbers to be carried.
- Build relationships with clients, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers, strengthening repeat client relationships and helping bring in new ones.
- Participate in key pursuits, proposals, qualifications packages, interviews, and owner presentations.
- Report on escalation and market conditions.
- Own a project's compliance approach, including small business participation goals, in coordination with finance and community engagement.
Turnover and Standards
- Lead the handoff to operations at contract award, including scope, assumptions, and open risks.
- Lead the estimate-to-actual feedback loop with operations.
- Contribute to utilization and maintenance of estimating systems including cost data, data governance, training and improvements to estimating processes, policies, and procedures.
Leadership and Development
- Lead the pursuit team and assign estimating scope through an Estimating Responsibility plan.
- Mentor pre-construction staff, Estimators, and Project Engineers on process, takeoff, pricing and constructability.
- Delegate responsibilities and balance workload across pursuits.
- Engage with company leadership and market leaders to guide group decisions and strategy.
Where You’ll Work Full-time position based in St. Louis, Missouri, with travel to project sites and client meetings throughout the region.
- Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment where the noise level is usually quiet.
- If required, the employee may work from a jobsite trailer on occasion or owner-designated office location. The noise level in the work environment can be loud due to heavy equipment, jack hammers, pneumatic tools, etc. These sounds can be non-stop throughout the day.
Physical Requirements
- Limited exposure to physical risk.
- The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands; reach; and stoop or kneel.
- Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Travel Requirements
- Occasional local or regional travel required for business or community events.
- Travel to project sites, pre-bid meetings, and client meetings within the region as needed.
What We Offer Tarlton offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with company match, paid time off and holidays, life and disability insurance, and support for continuing education and professional development. Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
What You Bring