Preconstruction Manager Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Preconstruction Manager roles sit at the intersection of estimating, design coordination, and project planning, making them specialty occupations that qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship. Construction firms with active federal and commercial pipelines sponsor regularly, and your estimating credentials and degree field directly shape which visa pathway fits.
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Job Description:
Ryan Companies US, Inc. has an immediate career opportunity for a Preconstruction Manager II to join our team in Atlanta, GA!
The Preconstruction Manager is responsible for working with development and construction teams to build conceptual and detailed estimates. Provide preconstruction leadership by teaching design management, estimating, and other preconstruction skills to project management staff, managing the design and preconstruction phase of select projects, and securing work on select pursuits. Project sizes may range from $5M to $100M+. Primary duties include creating accurate and detailed cost models and estimates, reviewing estimates, training, value analysis, quantity take-offs, working with project managers and developers to manage all preconstruction aspects of the project. The Estimator position will primarily focus on the creation and analysis of detailed cost information, and the Preconstruction Manager position will primarily focus on cost and the overall preconstruction process. Reports to VP or Director of Preconstruction and partners with project managers assigned to specific projects. Work directly with owners/clients, designers/architects/engineers, subcontractors, sales, and construction management team.
With more than 88 years in business and 17 offices (and growing!), Ryan offers comprehensive commercial real estate solutions to customers across the US. We bring a collaborative, relationship-driven approach to delivering spaces where people thrive and businesses succeed. Join a company with an outstanding culture and competitive benefits. At Ryan, we don’t just build buildings – we build stories.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Support the development, architectural, and construction teams with preconstruction expertise including estimating, value design, costs, project schedule, procurement, and project pursuits.
- Assume responsibility for completing cost proposals individually and within a team in a thorough, competitive, and quality driven manner for projects.
- Support the development of detailed proposal estimates including subcontractor quotes, self-perform work, general conditions, and all aspects of construction projects.
- Proactively update estimates during the evolution and refinement of project scope.
- Build upon Ryan subcontractor and vendor resource database.
- Prepare scope documents for design-build and hard-bid subcontractors.
- Support the value of preconstruction / design management services.
- Solicit, analyze, and negotiate subcontractor quotes. Able to recommend award based on best value and project requirements.
- Consistently achieves customer satisfaction and raving fan goals.
- Thorough understanding of the estimating stages, process, and costs.
- Able to operate efficiently and independently.
- Work with other team members, possibly in other geographic locations, to complete project proposals in a thorough and timely fashion.
- Maintain accurate historical cost data and current market information in the Ryan cost history system. Work to complete cost estimate archives with Project Management staff.
- Ability to communicate and work well with others at all levels.
- Review and provide feedback on project estimates created by preconstruction staff and project managers. Provide direction for understanding project scope, market pricing, and available resources.
- Coach Preconstruction Engineers and Project Management staff on the preconstruction process.
- Assist clients and developers with conceptual budgets of types. Capable of cost modeling using Uniformat system costs.
- Manage from a comprehensive preconstruction schedule, design from a detailed estimate, optimize building systems, embrace enhanced design and deliver well-coordinated design documents.
- Play a significant role in developing relationships with the Architectural community and clients with an eye towards providing design/build level preconstruction services.
Qualifications
- Four-year college degree in construction management or construction / civil engineering.
- Minimum 6 years commercial construction experience and preconstruction / estimating.
- Thorough understanding how to efficiently perform accurate quantity take-offs and summarizing data in a meaningful way.
- Estimating background with developing experience in conceptual estimating.
- Strong personal presence; developing presentation skills and interpersonal communication skills.
- Broad knowledge of construction means and methods, building types, estimating, scheduling, cost control and material pricing.
- Supports balance of costs and aesthetic quality.
- Knowledge of the architectural, engineering, and construction processes.
- Understands the Design-Build and Integrated Project Delivery processes.
- Understands value design and budget control during the planning and design phases.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Products - Excel, Word, Powerpoint Working knowledge of OST, Bluebeam, BuildingConnected, Destini Estimator.
- Ability to listen effectively, value the opinions of others and acknowledge contributions of others.
- Effectively prioritizes and balances big picture and immediate responsibilities.
Eligibility:
Position requires verification of employment to work in the U.S.
Benefits:
- Competitive Salary
- Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
- Retirement and Savings Benefits
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Educational Assistance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs
- Family Planning & Parenting Benefits
- Employee Discount Programs
- Pet insurance
- Charitable Donation Matching
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
- Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Disclaimer: Eligibility may vary based on factors such as role, hours worked, employment status, length of service, location, and other considerations. Detailed information will be shared with eligible candidates during the hiring process, and the official terms and conditions will be outlined in each individual offer document.
Ryan Companies is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Notice to Candidates:
Please be advised that initial outreach regarding employment at Ryan Companies will only occur via email from the domain @ryancompanies.com email address. If you receive communication from someone you believe is impersonating Ryan Companies, please report it to us at humanresources@ryancompanies.com.
Non-Solicitation Notice to Recruitment Agencies:
Ryan Companies kindly requests that recruitment agencies and third-party recruiters do not submit unsolicited resumes or candidate information to any Ryan Companies employee or office. Ryan Companies will not be responsible for any fees or expenses associated with unsolicited submissions. If recruitment services are required, we will reach out directly to agencies on our approved vendor list. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Preconstruction Manager
Align your degree to specialty occupation
Preconstruction Manager roles typically require a degree in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture. If your degree is in a related but adjacent field, build a clear narrative connecting your coursework to estimating and preconstruction workflows before any employer files your LCA.
Target ENR-listed general contractors first
Large general contractors on the Engineering News-Record top lists maintain in-house immigration counsel and sponsor H-1B candidates more consistently than regional subcontractors. Firms with active healthcare, data center, or transit pipelines are especially likely to have open preconstruction roles requiring sponsorship.
Search verified sponsors on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate lists construction and real estate employers with verified H-1B LCA sponsorship history, searchable by role and location. Filter for preconstruction and estimating titles to find firms that have already navigated the specialty occupation question for this job family.
Verify prevailing wage tier before negotiating
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your target metro before salary discussions begin. Your offer must meet or exceed the certified wage on the LCA, so knowing the Level I through Level IV range helps you negotiate without jeopardizing the filing.
Get your RICS or DBIA credential documented early
Professional credentials like RICS Quantity Surveyor or DBIA certification strengthen the specialty occupation argument USCIS evaluates when reviewing your petition. Gather official certificates, transcripts, and a credential evaluation from a NACES-member service before your employer files Form I-129.
Clarify who controls the LCA timeline
DOL certifies the LCA within seven business days under standard processing, but delays happen when job duties are vague or wage levels are contested. Confirm with your employer that the job description submitted to DOL accurately reflects preconstruction scope, not generic project management duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Preconstruction Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Yes, but the employer's job description carries significant weight. USCIS looks for evidence that the role normally requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field, such as construction management, civil engineering, or architecture. Generic titles like 'project coordinator' raise scrutiny, while descriptions tied to cost modeling, design-phase estimating, and constructability review support the specialty occupation argument more reliably.
What degree fields support H-1B sponsorship for preconstruction roles?
Construction management, civil engineering, architecture, and quantity surveying are the most defensible degree fields. Business or finance degrees may work if the role is heavily cost-focused and the employer documents the connection in their support letter. A NACES-accredited credential evaluation is recommended if your degree was earned outside the U.S., particularly for three-year programs.
How do I find construction employers who actively sponsor visas for this role?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified H-1B LCA sponsorship history for construction and preconstruction titles, so you can focus your outreach on firms that have already sponsored this job category rather than those exploring it for the first time.
Can TN visa holders work as Preconstruction Managers if they're Canadian or Mexican?
TN visa status covers engineers and certain management professionals, but Preconstruction Manager is not a listed USMCA profession on its own. A Canadian or Mexican national could potentially qualify if the role is structured as a Civil Engineer or Architect position, but the job duties must genuinely match the listed TN category, not just the seniority level.
Does PERM labor certification apply to Preconstruction Manager green card cases?
Most Preconstruction Manager green card cases filed through EB-2 or EB-3 require PERM labor certification through DOL. The employer must conduct a supervised recruitment process and demonstrate no qualified U.S. workers applied. Construction roles in high-demand metros with tight labor markets can move through PERM more smoothly, though priority date backlogs vary significantly by country of birth.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Preconstruction Manager jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.