Preconstruction/Change Manager

The Estimating/Preconstruction & Project Controls Department is responsible for preparing budgets and bids for all Clark Civil projects, as well as maintaining continuous cost control, scope management, and preconstruction strategy on awarded projects through design and execution phases.
This key member of our team will bridge the gap between initial preconstruction, continuous design development, and real-time project change management. You will passionately help promote the development of creative, innovative solutions to complex civil construction challenges, manage dynamic scope changes, enforce baseline controls, and drive the acquisition and execution of winning, profitable work.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of professionalism and ethical behavior when representing the Company.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, proposals, civil site documentation, and contract documents to prepare accurate time, cost, labor, equipment, and material estimates for multi-discipline heavy civil projects.
• Lead or perform accurate quantity surveys and conceptual-to-detailed estimating, with a strong focus on self-perform civil operations (earthwork, utilities, structures, paving).
• Supervise, mentor, and train estimators and project controls team members.
• Solicit, evaluate, and negotiate Subcontractor and Vendor quotes for complete scope alignment, qualifications, and strategic bid advantages.
• Lead meetings with Subcontractors, Suppliers, and Owners to develop complete scopes, discuss pursuit strategy, and align expectations.
• Establish and maintain a robust Change Management system and log throughout preconstruction, design-build, CMAR and construction phases to track, identify, and quantify scope changes, constructability challenges, and design evolutions.
• Evaluate potential changes and dynamic site conditions for both direct cost impacts and schedule disruption, preparing fully documented Change Order Requests (CORs) for owner negotiation.
• Review, negotiate, and execute subcontractor change orders, ensuring back-to-back contract alignment and risk transfer.
• Partner with Project Managers and Operations to establish initial cost baselines, continually monitor the comparison of estimated costs to actual costs, and update monthly Cost-to-Complete forecasts.
• Collaborate with project schedulers to align cost data with baseline CPM schedules, earning rules, and field productivity tracking.
• Perform risk and contract management responsibilities on bids and active projects, maintaining risk registers to protect project margins throughout execution.
• Assist in developing strategies to achieve small business participation (SBE) 

requirements while maintaining competitive project budgets.

• Review total estimate packages and change management submissions for accuracy, completeness, and risk mitigation prior to formal quotation.
• Research and promote continuous improvement in estimating tools, digital takeoff workflows, and project control methods.
• Examine construction sites and observe unusual, challenging, or changing field conditions.

Basic Qualifications

• 10 - 15 + years of progressive estimating, change management, and project controls experience in heavy civil construction (highways, bridges, site development, transit, or utility infrastructure).
• Undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline (or equivalent practical work experience).
• Proven track record of managing both preconstruction pursuits and active project change order systems on complex multi-discipline civil jobs.
• Advanced technical proficiency in On-Screen Takeoff (OST), Microsoft Excel, Bluebeam Revu, and heavy civil estimating software (e.g., HeavyBid/HCSS, B2W, or similar).
• Working knowledge of Project Controls tools & scheduling software (e.g., Primavera P6, Timberline/Sage, or Prolog/Procore).
• Strong understanding of both conceptual, detailed, and self-perform civil estimating methods.
• Strong organizational, negotiation, and time management skills with the ability to lead multi-functional teams across estimating and operations.
• Alignment to Clark Standards of Excellence: Self-Motivated, Results Oriented, Adaptable, Team Player, Accountable, Ethical, Innovative, Resilient, Builds Relationships, Builds People/Teams, Sets Direction and Executes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct field operational experience ( Superintendent, Civil Project Manager or Civil Project Engineer strong background in self-perform Civil work).
• Knowledge and active relationships within the local subcontractor and vendor market.
• Specialized experience in claims avoidance, dispute resolution, and contract negotiation on alternative delivery civil projects (Design-Build, CMAR, Progressive Design-Build).

The Physical Side of the Role: Given that a good portion of your day will be spent at a desk, you should be comfortable with prolonged periods of focused work, whether it's collaborating with colleagues, analyzing data, or developing strategies. The role demands effective communication and sharp visual acuity for reviewing complex documents and performing detailed computer work.
While there are times for quiet concentration, you'll also be expected to move actively throughout the office and travel occasionally to various locations, including dynamic construction sites, utilizing different modes of transportation. The ability to lift and move objects up to 10 pounds regularly, and up to 25 pounds on occasion (think a box of files or small office equipment), is also required.

Your Work Environment: Your primary workspace will be in our McLean, Virginia office, which has a typical, quiet-to-moderate noise and light levels. As part of your work, you may also be required to visit active construction sites. These environments are naturally more dynamic and can include exposure to outdoor weather conditions, louder noise, and moving equipment. Your safety is our top priority, and you'll be expected to follow Clark Construction's safety policies and procedures, and all applicable laws, at all locations.

Our High-Performing Culture: This is a demanding, high-performance environment. We are looking for candidates who are energized by challenge, thrive under pressure, and are prepared to do what it takes to achieve exceptional results. Success in this role requires significant commitment, including flexibility to work extended hours, especially during critical project phases or client deadlines. Beyond regular working hours, there will be occasions where business needs require your attention, particularly for time-sensitive matters or emergencies. You are expected to monitor and respond to communications (phone calls, emails, text messages) as required to address these situations effectively. Your ability to manage these expectations and be responsive when critical issues arise is key to your success in this role and our collective success as a team.

A Drug Free Workplace: Clark promotes a drug free workplace. A pre-employment drug “fitness for duty” screening is required, and the company conducts random quarterly drug “fitness for duty” tests.

Clark offers a total compensation package that includes base salary, bonus potential, and a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision benefits, paid time off, retirement/401k, and Company Contribution plan. Additional benefits include life insurance, commuter benefit, short & long term disability, fitness reimbursement, FSA, tuition reimbursement, back-up daycare, tutoring & family support benefits, EAP/Work-Life assistance, and a holiday contribution program. For this role the base salary range is $85,000-$185,000. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s education, experience, and skills. Base pay is one part of the Total Compensation Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work.