H-1B Visa Preconstruction Manager Jobs
Preconstruction Manager jobs with H-1B visa sponsorship are available at general contractors, design-build firms, and owners' representatives that structure the role around a bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture. Employers file a certified LCA and I-129 petition before you start, with status granted for up to three years.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At IPS, we are global leaders in developing innovative solutions for the consulting, architecture, engineering, project controls, procurement, construction management, and CQV of technically complex facilities, primarily in the life sciences industry. We are looking for a dedicated Early Preconstruction Manager to join our talented team at any of our U.S. offices (MA, NJ, PA, MD, NC, KS, CA).
In this role, you will lead all activities before the start of physical construction, establishing a proactive framework to ensure the project is fully scoped, accurately budgeted, properly scheduled, legally permitted, and operationally ready. This role aligns stakeholders, mitigates risk, and drives decision-making from project initiation through contract execution and construction readiness. You will also facilitate the handoff of all items to the execution team.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Additional Responsibilities
Project Initiation & Governance:
- Facilitate cross-functional kickoff meetings; define project communications, roles, and escalation paths.
- Implement governance structure, approval workflows, and decision-making hierarchy.
- Stand up project management tools and document control systems; train project teams.
- Develop the initial risk register and stakeholder map; integrate into planning tools.
- Develop the preconstruction execution plan and the construction execution plan.
- Oversee completion of all preconstruction-related activities supporting project startup.
Design Coordination:
- Participate in milestone reviews (Concept, BOD, Detailed Design); assist with tracking comments and resolution logs.
- Conduct constructability reviews at all phases, generate a log, issue to the team, and follow up on the closure of items.
- Facilitate value engineering (VE) workshops; maintain VE logs and coordinate cost impact estimates with estimators.
- Assist with coordinating design iterations across disciplines; review documents to ensure updates and issue resolution are documented.
- Validate evolving design against current budget and schedule; generate & publish alignment and impact reports.
- Engage with estimators for assessments of identified changes to include in reporting.
- Work with the design team on construction logistics plans that will result in a design conducive to the phasing of the project, equipment move-in paths, staging areas, safe construction, etc.
- On projects utilizing TVD, lead the TVD effort to ensure the design team is designing to a budget.
- Present all construction-related updates to the team and client as required.
- Help sell the construction phase of the project on design-only projects.
- Challenge materials of construction and other design aspects where there are potential cost savings.
Estimate Development:
- Submit an estimate request to the estimating team for getting on the department schedule.
- Coordinate with design and estimating team to produce progressively detailed cost estimates (ROM, Concept, BOD, Detailed Design (RFP Response)), including assumptions, allowances, contingencies, escalation, and market pricing validation.
- Generate the construction management staffing plan and general requirements estimate, which is aligned with the project schedule and logistics plan.
- Participate in the presentation of the estimate to the client, which will be led by the estimator.
- Review the estimate and BOE before publication to the client and make all changes necessary.
- Support all estimate review follow-ups, bridging, justifications, adjustments, etc., in support of client approvals.
- Facilitate benchmarking feedback loop to the estimating team for as-bought costs in detail.
Cost Control:
- Work with Cost Manager through the budget and estimate development phases to support updates leading to baselining the budget at construction kickoff.
- Initiate and oversee setup of the change management process, collaborating with the client, design, contracts, PM, and controls.
- Work with Controls and Accounting to initiate PNR/BRRs and review cost coding for accuracy.
- Work with Cost Manager to perform commitment and spend plan development, analysis, and reporting up to handover to cost control at construction kickoff.
Schedule Development:
- Lead and work with the scheduler to develop all details and establish the baseline master schedule spanning design, permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning, qualification, and validation.
- Author the basis of the schedule narrative with input from the scheduler.
- Ability to effectively collaborate with design, construction, CQV, and client teams is of critical importance to being successful in this role.
- Facilitate interactive planning sessions with all project team members from design, procurement, construction, trade partners, equipment vendors, CQV, and clients.
- Identify long-lead items; integrate procurement timelines and vendor coordination plans.
- Perform commitment and spend plan development, analysis, and reporting.
- Ensure adherence to standard IPS WBS and customizations as needed to align with client WBS when necessary.
- Ability to develop and generate schedules in Microsoft Project and/or Oracle P6.
Risk Management:
- Facilitate risk workshops; categorize and prioritize risks (financial, schedule, design, environmental, regulatory).
- Utilize the standard IPS Risk log and maintain a dynamic risk register with scoring criteria and dashboards; assign risk owners and mitigation strategies.
- Integrate risk-based contingencies into budget and schedule; track usage and update forecasts.
- Monitor external risks (regulatory changes, market volatility, escalation, etc.) and communicate to pertinent team members for their use.
Permitting & Approvals:
- Develop a comprehensive permit list and jurisdictional requirements summary.
- Build a permitting matrix with timelines, responsibilities, and status tracking; integrate into the master schedule.
- Coordinate with AHJs; maintain contact logs, meeting minutes, and code compliance summaries.
- Ensure full turnover to the execution team as soon as possible.
Procurement Planning:
- Define procurement strategy aligned to delivery method (DBB, CMAR, DB, IPD), risk profile, and schedule.
- Work with the Procurement Team to generate the Project Procurement Plan.
- Work with the Procurement Team to pre-qualify subcontractors as early as possible.
- Convert estimate line items into Bid Package budgets to incorporate into the Project Procurement Plan and utilize for scope development for each.
- Validate budget against market conditions; maintain escalation analysis.
- Generate detailed scopes of work, schedule of values breakdowns, list of drawings & specifications, and all other detailed elements of each bid package.
- Coordinate with Procurement Team to prequalify subcontractors/vendors; maintain approved bidder lists and risk assessments.
- Coordinate & lead Procurement Team to issue RFQs/RFPs, conduct pre-bid meetings, RFI/addendum logs, generate bid leveling worksheet, manage and final award of subcontracts & purchase orders.
- Ensure the Procurement buyout schedule is completed and meets the construction schedule.
Construction Readiness:
- Lead the development of the construction execution plan.
- Develop site logistics and mobilization plans; schedule temporary utilities and laydown areas.
- Ensure that site-specific safety plans and emergency response procedures have been developed, reviewed by all pertinent parties, and approved.
- Lead the preconstruction conference with all trades.
- Supervise the team of personnel to ensure adherence to the SOPs for the management of RFIs, submittals, change orders, and all other elements of Project Management-related tasks.
- Utilize the Construction Mobilization Readiness Checklist to coordinate all prerequisites for beginning construction activities.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in the field of Engineering, Construction management, or related discipline, OR 5 years of experience in a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in project delivery related to preconstruction activities for the various levels.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Must be able to stand, sit, and walk for prolonged periods.
- Must possess the ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl as required.
- Must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Must be able to climb ladders as necessary.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Must be able to work in both indoor and outdoor environments, which may include exposure to varying working conditions.
- Must be able to adhere to strict cleanroom gowning protocol.
TRAVEL
- This position will have 50% travel, or as required by the assigned project.
- You may be assigned to the client site for an extended period.
- Overnight travel or staying in the city of the Client’s location is possible, depending on the assignment.
- Please review the IPS Travel Policy.
- You will visit construction sites and will be required to take site safety training and adhere to site safety rules.
- Must have access to reliable transportation.
- Must have the ability to travel and commute on a daily or routine basis.
SAFETY
- This position is a safety-sensitive position.
- The employee is designated for field work and attends activities at client sites where they work in construction, process, packaging, manufacturing, research, or other "non-administrative" areas.
All interviews are conducted either in person or virtually, with video required.
About us
IPS, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a global leader in technical consulting, architecture, engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, qualification, and validation services for technically complex facilities. Integration is how we think and work. It requires the ability to unite existing and emerging technologies into a process that reliably delivers products and accelerates speed to market. That end-to-end mindset allows us to be agile and anticipate challenges as we move projects toward operational readiness. IPS applies design and delivery expertise, client-side experience, and supplier-side insight to every project. We infuse our curiosity, our passion, and our commitment to partnership in delivering solutions at any scale. We meet our clients where they are and get them to where they need to go. That’s only possible when we care as much as our clients do.
SPECIALTIES
Process Architecture, Process Design, Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Qualification, LEAN Project Delivery, Strategic Master Planning, Energy Conservation Management, Project Controls, Program/Project Management, Operations/Logistics Strategy and Planning, EPCMV, and Staffing Services.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at IPS without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran, marital, or citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. IPS is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.
The salary offered for this role is between $104,000 and $160,000, but the actual salary offered is dependent on experience, skill set, and education.
LI-DT1
INTRODUCTION
At IPS, we are global leaders in developing innovative solutions for the consulting, architecture, engineering, project controls, procurement, construction management, and CQV of technically complex facilities, primarily in the life sciences industry. We are looking for a dedicated Early Preconstruction Manager to join our talented team at any of our U.S. offices (MA, NJ, PA, MD, NC, KS, CA).
In this role, you will lead all activities before the start of physical construction, establishing a proactive framework to ensure the project is fully scoped, accurately budgeted, properly scheduled, legally permitted, and operationally ready. This role aligns stakeholders, mitigates risk, and drives decision-making from project initiation through contract execution and construction readiness. You will also facilitate the handoff of all items to the execution team.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Additional Responsibilities
Project Initiation & Governance:
- Facilitate cross-functional kickoff meetings; define project communications, roles, and escalation paths.
- Implement governance structure, approval workflows, and decision-making hierarchy.
- Stand up project management tools and document control systems; train project teams.
- Develop the initial risk register and stakeholder map; integrate into planning tools.
- Develop the preconstruction execution plan and the construction execution plan.
- Oversee completion of all preconstruction-related activities supporting project startup.
Design Coordination:
- Participate in milestone reviews (Concept, BOD, Detailed Design); assist with tracking comments and resolution logs.
- Conduct constructability reviews at all phases, generate a log, issue to the team, and follow up on the closure of items.
- Facilitate value engineering (VE) workshops; maintain VE logs and coordinate cost impact estimates with estimators.
- Assist with coordinating design iterations across disciplines; review documents to ensure updates and issue resolution are documented.
- Validate evolving design against current budget and schedule; generate & publish alignment and impact reports.
- Engage with estimators for assessments of identified changes to include in reporting.
- Work with the design team on construction logistics plans that will result in a design conducive to the phasing of the project, equipment move-in paths, staging areas, safe construction, etc.
- On projects utilizing TVD, lead the TVD effort to ensure the design team is designing to a budget.
- Present all construction-related updates to the team and client as required.
- Help sell the construction phase of the project on design-only projects.
- Challenge materials of construction and other design aspects where there are potential cost savings.
Estimate Development:
- Submit an estimate request to the estimating team for getting on the department schedule.
- Coordinate with design and estimating team to produce progressively detailed cost estimates (ROM, Concept, BOD, Detailed Design (RFP Response)), including assumptions, allowances, contingencies, escalation, and market pricing validation.
- Generate the construction management staffing plan and general requirements estimate, which is aligned with the project schedule and logistics plan.
- Participate in the presentation of the estimate to the client, which will be led by the estimator.
- Review the estimate and BOE before publication to the client and make all changes necessary.
- Support all estimate review follow-ups, bridging, justifications, adjustments, etc., in support of client approvals.
- Facilitate benchmarking feedback loop to the estimating team for as-bought costs in detail.
Cost Control:
- Work with Cost Manager through the budget and estimate development phases to support updates leading to baselining the budget at construction kickoff.
- Initiate and oversee setup of the change management process, collaborating with the client, design, contracts, PM, and controls.
- Work with Controls and Accounting to initiate PNR/BRRs and review cost coding for accuracy.
- Work with Cost Manager to perform commitment and spend plan development, analysis, and reporting up to handover to cost control at construction kickoff.
Schedule Development:
- Lead and work with the scheduler to develop all details and establish the baseline master schedule spanning design, permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning, qualification, and validation.
- Author the basis of the schedule narrative with input from the scheduler.
- Ability to effectively collaborate with design, construction, CQV, and client teams is of critical importance to being successful in this role.
- Facilitate interactive planning sessions with all project team members from design, procurement, construction, trade partners, equipment vendors, CQV, and clients.
- Identify long-lead items; integrate procurement timelines and vendor coordination plans.
- Perform commitment and spend plan development, analysis, and reporting.
- Ensure adherence to standard IPS WBS and customizations as needed to align with client WBS when necessary.
- Ability to develop and generate schedules in Microsoft Project and/or Oracle P6.
Risk Management:
- Facilitate risk workshops; categorize and prioritize risks (financial, schedule, design, environmental, regulatory).
- Utilize the standard IPS Risk log and maintain a dynamic risk register with scoring criteria and dashboards; assign risk owners and mitigation strategies.
- Integrate risk-based contingencies into budget and schedule; track usage and update forecasts.
- Monitor external risks (regulatory changes, market volatility, escalation, etc.) and communicate to pertinent team members for their use.
Permitting & Approvals:
- Develop a comprehensive permit list and jurisdictional requirements summary.
- Build a permitting matrix with timelines, responsibilities, and status tracking; integrate into the master schedule.
- Coordinate with AHJs; maintain contact logs, meeting minutes, and code compliance summaries.
- Ensure full turnover to the execution team as soon as possible.
Procurement Planning:
- Define procurement strategy aligned to delivery method (DBB, CMAR, DB, IPD), risk profile, and schedule.
- Work with the Procurement Team to generate the Project Procurement Plan.
- Work with the Procurement Team to pre-qualify subcontractors as early as possible.
- Convert estimate line items into Bid Package budgets to incorporate into the Project Procurement Plan and utilize for scope development for each.
- Validate budget against market conditions; maintain escalation analysis.
- Generate detailed scopes of work, schedule of values breakdowns, list of drawings & specifications, and all other detailed elements of each bid package.
- Coordinate with Procurement Team to prequalify subcontractors/vendors; maintain approved bidder lists and risk assessments.
- Coordinate & lead Procurement Team to issue RFQs/RFPs, conduct pre-bid meetings, RFI/addendum logs, generate bid leveling worksheet, manage and final award of subcontracts & purchase orders.
- Ensure the Procurement buyout schedule is completed and meets the construction schedule.
Construction Readiness:
- Lead the development of the construction execution plan.
- Develop site logistics and mobilization plans; schedule temporary utilities and laydown areas.
- Ensure that site-specific safety plans and emergency response procedures have been developed, reviewed by all pertinent parties, and approved.
- Lead the preconstruction conference with all trades.
- Supervise the team of personnel to ensure adherence to the SOPs for the management of RFIs, submittals, change orders, and all other elements of Project Management-related tasks.
- Utilize the Construction Mobilization Readiness Checklist to coordinate all prerequisites for beginning construction activities.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in the field of Engineering, Construction management, or related discipline, OR 5 years of experience in a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in project delivery related to preconstruction activities for the various levels.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Must be able to stand, sit, and walk for prolonged periods.
- Must possess the ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl as required.
- Must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Must be able to climb ladders as necessary.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Must be able to work in both indoor and outdoor environments, which may include exposure to varying working conditions.
- Must be able to adhere to strict cleanroom gowning protocol.
TRAVEL
- This position will have 50% travel, or as required by the assigned project.
- You may be assigned to the client site for an extended period.
- Overnight travel or staying in the city of the Client’s location is possible, depending on the assignment.
- Please review the IPS Travel Policy.
- You will visit construction sites and will be required to take site safety training and adhere to site safety rules.
- Must have access to reliable transportation.
- Must have the ability to travel and commute on a daily or routine basis.
SAFETY
- This position is a safety-sensitive position.
- The employee is designated for field work and attends activities at client sites where they work in construction, process, packaging, manufacturing, research, or other "non-administrative" areas.
All interviews are conducted either in person or virtually, with video required.
About us
IPS, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a global leader in technical consulting, architecture, engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, qualification, and validation services for technically complex facilities. Integration is how we think and work. It requires the ability to unite existing and emerging technologies into a process that reliably delivers products and accelerates speed to market. That end-to-end mindset allows us to be agile and anticipate challenges as we move projects toward operational readiness. IPS applies design and delivery expertise, client-side experience, and supplier-side insight to every project. We infuse our curiosity, our passion, and our commitment to partnership in delivering solutions at any scale. We meet our clients where they are and get them to where they need to go. That’s only possible when we care as much as our clients do.
SPECIALTIES
Process Architecture, Process Design, Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Qualification, LEAN Project Delivery, Strategic Master Planning, Energy Conservation Management, Project Controls, Program/Project Management, Operations/Logistics Strategy and Planning, EPCMV, and Staffing Services.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at IPS without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran, marital, or citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. IPS is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.
The salary offered for this role is between $104,000 and $160,000, but the actual salary offered is dependent on experience, skill set, and education.
LI-DT1
See all 156+ H-1B Visa Preconstruction Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Preconstruction Manager
Align your degree to specialty occupation
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your degree field and the Preconstruction Manager duties. A bachelor's in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture gives you the clearest path. Degrees in unrelated fields weaken the specialty occupation argument and invite Requests for Evidence.
Verify LCA coverage for every worksite
Preconstruction work often spans multiple project sites. Each worksite location needs its own certified LCA filed with DOL before you work there. Confirm your employer understands this obligation and has a process for filing amended or new LCAs as projects shift.
Search Migrate Mate for verified H-1B sponsors
Find Preconstruction Manager roles at employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history by searching Migrate Mate. You'll see which firms have sponsored roles in this discipline before, so you can prioritize outreach to employers already familiar with the filing process.
Use OFLC Wage Search before salary negotiations
Your employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location, as certified in the LCA. Run the OFLC Wage Search for the construction project management occupation and your metro area before any offer conversation so you can negotiate from an accurate baseline.
Prepare a duty-specific role description early
Preconstruction titles vary widely across firms. Work with your employer before the I-129 filing to build a detailed job description that ties each core duty, estimating, scope development, subcontractor coordination, to degree-level knowledge. Vague or trade-focused descriptions are a common source of USCIS scrutiny.
Time your offer to allow premium processing
USCIS standard processing for I-129 petitions can run several months. If your start date is firm, ask your prospective employer early whether they'll use premium processing, which targets a faster adjudication. Construction project timelines rarely flex, so the filing timeline needs to be part of the hiring conversation.
H-1B Visa Preconstruction Manager: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Preconstruction Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, when the position genuinely requires a bachelor's degree or higher in construction management, civil engineering, architecture, or a closely related field as a minimum entry requirement. Employers must demonstrate that the specific duties, such as systems coordination, cost modeling, and constructability analysis, require that degree-level knowledge. USCIS will scrutinize job descriptions where duties lean toward trade supervision rather than degree-required analysis.
How do I find employers who have sponsored H-1B visas for Preconstruction Manager roles?
Search Migrate Mate to browse Preconstruction Manager openings at employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history in this occupation. You can also review DOL OFLC disclosure data to identify general contractors and construction management firms that have filed LCAs under construction-related SOC codes. Prioritizing these employers shortens your sponsorship path significantly.
What happens to my H-1B status if my project ends before the petition period expires?
H-1B status is tied to your employer and approved petition, not to a specific project. If the employer continues to employ you on other projects or in a comparable role, your status remains valid for the approved period of up to three years, extendable to six. If your employment ends, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new sponsoring employer, change status, or depart.
Can my employer use one LCA if I work across multiple construction sites?
No. Each worksite location that falls outside the metropolitan statistical area covered by the original LCA requires a separate certified LCA. For Preconstruction Managers who travel between project sites or work at a client's location, the employer must file and certify the appropriate LCA before work begins at each distinct location. This is a DOL compliance requirement, not a discretionary step.
What supporting documents strengthen an H-1B petition for a Preconstruction Manager?
A detailed job description tying each duty to degree-level knowledge is essential. Supporting documents should include your degree transcripts and translations if applicable, any licensure such as a Professional Engineer credential, a detailed organizational chart showing where the role fits, and evidence that the employer has consistently filled this position with degreed professionals. O*NET occupation data for the relevant SOC code can also reinforce the specialty occupation argument in the petition.