Pre-Construction & Design-Build Manager

Matheson Constructors is a leading construction firm focused on delivering exceptional construction management, general contracting, design-build, and public-private partnership services. With expertise spanning buildings, civil infrastructure, industrial, and special projects, Matheson utilizes the latest digital technology to help partners solve complex construction challenges and achieve their most ambitious project goals.

As a trusted collaborator, Matheson consistently delivers quality service that ensures both projects and partners succeed.

We Are Partners!

As a Preconstruction & Design-Build Manager, you will provide strategic leadership throughout the preconstruction phase of projects, serving as a trusted advisor to owners, consultants, and internal project teams. You will be responsible for managing project planning, budgeting, design development, procurement strategies, risk management, and client relationships while ensuring projects are positioned for successful execution.

This role plays a critical part in securing new work, leading Construction Management and Design-Build pursuits, and ensuring project objectives related to cost, quality, schedule, safety, and constructability are achieved before construction begins.

Key ResponsibilitiesPreconstruction Leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor and ambassador for Matheson Constructors throughout the preconstruction process.
• Lead preconstruction activities including project budgeting, scheduling, design coordination, constructability reviews, and trade contractor engagement.
• Develop and maintain project execution strategies that align with client expectations and company objectives.
• Monitor project design briefs and identify potential risks, gaps, or non-conformances.
• Identify opportunities for improvements related to safety, environmental performance, schedule optimization, and cost control.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to project teams throughout the preconstruction process.

Budgeting, Cost Planning & Risk Management

• Prepare and manage conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, and cost plans for Construction Management and Design-Build projects.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, including:
  • Hard costs
  • Soft costs
  • Contingencies
  • Assumptions and exclusions
• Track budget changes throughout design development and provide variance reporting and reconciliation updates.
• Prepare and maintain project risk matrices for Construction Management and Design-Build pursuits.
• Present budgets, schedules, and construction plans to ownership groups and stakeholders while confidently defending assumptions and recommendations.
• Develop proactive solutions to mitigate project risks and challenges.

Design Management & Constructability

• Lead coordination between owners, architects, consultants, engineers, and construction teams throughout project development.
• Review and approve drawings, specifications, and design documents to ensure alignment with project objectives and Matheson's execution plans.
• Oversee constructability reviews and provide recommendations that improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, and project delivery.
• Ensure integration and coordination among all project disciplines.
• Evaluate contractual obligations, design changes, and project variations.

Procurement & Tendering

• Develop procurement strategies and manage tendering activities for subcontractors and consultants.
• Prepare and manage invited subcontractor lists in collaboration with the estimating team.
• Lead procurement activities including:
  • Subcontractor prequalification
  • Consultant selection
  • Tender package preparation and issuance
  • Tender evaluation and analysis
  • Award recommendations
  • Contract negotiations
• Work closely with the Vice President of Estimating & Procurement to ensure successful procurement outcomes.

Municipal Approvals & Permitting

• Manage building permit and development permit application processes.
• Coordinate approvals with municipalities, utilities, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).
• Direct research, negotiations, and discussions with municipal staff and regulatory agencies.
• Manage Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-law Amendments,Minor Variance Applications, Site Plan Applications

• Support design panel submissions, public consultation meetings, and municipal presentations alongside architects and consultants.

Business Development & Client Relations

• Participate in Matheson's business development initiatives and strategic growth efforts.
• Lead select Construction Management and Design-Build pursuits.
• Review RFP documents and develop winning pursuit strategies.
• Assist in preparing proposal submissions, presentations, and interview materials.
• Present project solutions to prospective clients and stakeholders.
• Negotiate contracts with clients, architects, consultants, and project partners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, consultants, subcontractors, and industry stakeholders.

Leadership & Team Development

• Mentor and support project teams through all phases of preconstruction.
• Promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
• Foster a culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Provide coaching and guidance to support employee development and project success.

QualificationsEducation & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree, College Diploma, or equivalent experience in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience within the ICI construction market, with a strong focus on preconstruction services.
• Demonstrated expertise in conceptual budgeting, design management, and project planning.
• Experience leading Construction Management and Design-Build pursuits.
• Thorough understanding of:
  • Provincial Building Codes
  • Building envelope systems
  • Construction contracts and contract law
  • Municipal approval processes
• Experience preparing comprehensive project budgets including soft costs, hard costs, and contingencies.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with MS Office.
• Strong understanding of procurement, scheduling, risk management, and project controls.
• Ability to develop and present detailed construction plans, budgets, schedules, and procurement strategies.

Core Competencies

• Leadership and team development
• Relationship management
• Negotiation and conflict resolution
• Communication and presentation skills
• Strategic planning and organization
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Quality orientation
• Results-focused mindset
• Coaching and mentoring
• Accountability and dependability
• Creative and innovative thinking
• Ethics and integrity
• Continuous learning and professional development

Key Characteristics

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to coach, motivate, and inspire teams.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Strong commitment to workplace health and safety.
• Advanced problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities.
• Superior project planning and scheduling capabilities, including design development, permitting, procurement, and construction sequencing.
• Strong business acumen and client-focused approach.

Working Conditions

• Ability to travel to project sites and client locations throughout Ontario as required.
• Ability to attend and deliver presentations to clients, consultants, and stakeholders.
• Manual dexterity required for computer and office equipment use.
• Extended work hours and overtime may be required to meet project deadlines.
• Combination of office, meeting, and field-based work environments.
• Exposure to active construction sites and related hazards in all seasons.
• Safety equipment required, including CSA-approved safety boots, hard hat, safety glasses, and other site-specific PPE.
• Ability to lift or move materials weighing up to 50 lbs, including project drawings and presentation materials.
• Frequent walking, standing, and site inspections as required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Matheson Constructors is an equal opportunity employer.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Accessibility

Matheson Constructors welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.

Notice to Third-Party Agencies

Please note that Matheson Constructors does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies.