Project Planning Manager Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

POSITION SUMMARY
Construction Management Associates is seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Project Manager to guide projects from early concept through construction handoff. This position plays a critical role in coordinating development, design, estimating, and construction efforts while evaluating scope, budget, schedule, constructability, utilities, and project risk. The Pre-Construction Project Manager works closely with architects, engineers, municipalities, utility providers, and internal teams to ensure projects are properly planned, coordinated, budgeted, and positioned for successful execution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Pre-Design and Project Feasibility

• Collaborate with Development, Design, Estimating, and Construction teams during early project planning to evaluate project scope, feasibility, budget, schedule, constructability, and project risk.
• Review sites, design concepts, regulatory requirements, funding program requirements, and project assumptions to identify constraints, opportunities, and long-term operational impacts.
• Support development of preliminary schedules, phasing plans, milestone dates, and project strategies to position projects for successful execution.

Design Coordination and Constructability Review

• Lead design coordination efforts by reviewing drawings, specifications, and project documentation for constructability issues, scope gaps, conflicts, and schedule impacts.
• Coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, and internal teams to ensure timely issue resolution and alignment with project objectives.
• Maintain project documentation, meeting records, and action-item tracking throughout the design process.

Budget, Value Engineering, and Cost Control

• Work with the Director of Pre-Construction, Chief Estimator, and estimating team to support accurate project budgeting through each phase of design.
• Identify scope gaps, incomplete assumptions, and potential cost exposures before they become field issues.
• Assist with preliminary schedules, phasing drawings, logistics assumptions, and other pre-construction deliverables needed for leadership, lenders, municipalities, or project partners.

Project Coordination, Procurement & Construction Handoff

• Coordinate with utility providers regarding will-serve letters, service size and availability, size of feed, three-phase availability, utility relocations, gas, electric, and other required applications; coordinate ULOs and resolve utility conflicts that may impact site design, budget or schedule.
• Assist with municipal coordination, permitting, assumptions, special requirements, regulatory considerations, and design timelines while partnering with consultants and internal teams to ensure required pre-construction documentation is complete and accurate.
• Track unresolved external coordination, items and escalate issues that may impact project closing, construction start, cost, schedule, or overall project execution.
• Support bid strategy, scope review, procurement planning, and Letters of Intent in coordination with the Director of Pre-Construction and estimating team to control cost exposure, mitigate material escalation, and protect project schedules.
• Ensure a complete and coordinated transition from pre-construction to construction by preparing handoff documentation, participating in project kickoff meetings, communicating key decisions, assumptions, risks, and schedule considerations, supporting issue resolution during construction, and participating in postmortem reviews to identify lessons learned and improve future pre-construction processes.

Leadership, Communication, and Process Improvement

• Serve as a knowledgeable and credible resource for Development, Design, Estimating, Construction, and Ownership.
• Communicate complex construction, design, cost, and schedule issues in a clear and practical manner.
• Proactively identify problems, recommend solutions, and follow issues through resolution.
• Help improve pre-construction processes, templates, review checklists, handoff procedures, and communication standards.
• Demonstrate ownership, urgency, organization, and accountability in managing assigned projects and responsibilities.
• Support the Director of Pre-Construction with department priorities, special projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Pre-Construction Planning
• Technical Construction Expertise
• Project Coordination
• Problem Solving & Risk Management
• Communication & Accountability

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8–10+ years of higher-level construction project management, pre-construction, estimating, or related construction experience.
• Strong preference for experience with multifamily, affordable housing, LIHTC, market-rate apartments, or mixed-use construction.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, sequencing, building systems, constructability, and project delivery.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, civil, structural, and MEP drawings.
• Experience identifying scope gaps, drawing conflicts, constructability issues, cost exposures, and schedule risks.
• Working knowledge of building codes, municipal requirements, utility coordination, permitting, and construction documentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with owners, developers, architects, engineers, estimators, subcontractors, municipalities, utility providers, and construction teams.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and open issues at the same time.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Excel required.
• Experience with Smartsheet, Bluebeam, or similar construction/project management systems preferred.
• Technical college degree, construction management degree, engineering degree, or architecture background preferred.