Preconstruction Manager
HVAC, Inc. / Stateline Services
Bristol, TN · Full-Time / Exempt · Reports to the President
Job title: Preconstruction Manager – Commercial Mechanical (HVAC / Plumbing)
Location: Bristol, TN
Job type: Full-time
Pay: Based on Skill, Experience and Proven Record of Success
Job description
Build and run the preconstruction department for one of the region’s leading commercial mechanical contractors.
HVAC, Inc. / Stateline Services self-performs HVAC, Mechanical. Plumbing, Electrical, and Building Automation across Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina. We’ve built a 40-year reputation. This is not a senior estimating desk — it’s a leadership seat with real authority to build a department the right way, with ownership’s full backing.
You’ll own the business side of preconstruction — customer relationships, bid strategy, proposals, and department performance — while our Lead Estimator owns technical accuracy. You’ll be the single point of contact our owners and general contractors call, and you’ll drive our growth into negotiated and design-build work.
What you’ll do
· Lead the preconstruction department — workload, priorities, people, and performance
· Serve as the senior point of contact for GCs, owners, and design teams
· Own bid strategy, go / no-go decisions, the bid board, and the pipeline
· Drive negotiated and design-build pursuits, not just hard-bid work
· Own proposals and scope letters — every bid out complete and on time
· Manage bonding, GC / owner vetting, and preferred-vendor relationships
· Develop the estimating team and build a department that scales
What we’re looking for — two non-negotiables
· A proven track record of building and winning general contractor and owner relationships
· Real success in negotiated and/or design-build work — not just hard bids
Also required
· Preconstruction or estimating leadership in commercial construction (mechanical / MEP strongly preferred)
· Command of the full bid process — takeoff, pricing, scope, and contract / administrative risk (Davis-Bacon, allowances, liquidated damages, bonding)
· Strong leadership — able to manage, develop, and hold yourself and the estimating team accountable
· Excellent written proposals and clear communication with owners, GCs, and vendors
Strong pluses
· Trimble Accubid / Trimble Estimating and iSqFt or ConstructConnect
· Healthcare, institutional, or public / hard-bid experience
· Building automation (Tridium Niagara) and multi-trade self-perform delivery
· Construction management or engineering degree — or equivalent experience
What we offer
· Competitive base salary paid weekly
· Company vehicle, phone, and laptop
· Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability coverage; company-paid $10,000 life insurance and short-term disability
· 401(k) after one year, seven paid holidays, pro-rated vacation
· The autonomy to build the department the right way
To apply
Submit your resume and a representative project list. Attn: Keith Rhymer, President
HVAC, Inc. / Stateline Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) 3% Match
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Employee discount
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Referral program
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
Compensation Package:
Performance bonus
Profit sharing
Experience:
Mechanical Estimating: 5 years (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
Bristol, TN 37620: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person