Founded in 1995, Formline set out to create a better way to build.

Over the past 30 years, we’ve grown into a national strategy, design, and build partner for growth-minded business owners and developers. More than a builder, we’re a trusted partner — ensuring our clients feel confident and cared for through every stage of the journey.

In this role, we’re looking for a Preconstruction Manager to take ownership of the front-end project process — bringing commercial discipline, technical clarity and strong program control to projects before they reach site.

You will work closely with our design, technical, estimating, sales, BD and delivery teams to ensure projects are properly scoped, accurately costed, buildable, coordinated and aligned to budget, program and client expectations.

This is a highly client-facing role. We’re looking for someone who can clearly articulate Formline’s methodology, challenge designers, consultants and engineers where needed, identify risks early, and manage the critical path to protect time, cost and delivery certainty.

THE ROLE: PRECONSTRUCTION MANAGERKEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Own the preconstruction process: own each project from early prospect through to contract and a complete, accurate handover to the delivery team and Project Manager.

Connect design and cost: manage the design with architects, engineers and consultants. Challenge them where the design adds cost, complexity or over-engineering, and drive costs down without compromising quality or compliance.

Accurate costing: Carry out site audits, prepare and be accountable for the accuracy of every cost plan and estimate. Find the risks and gaps in the documentation and price them in, and make sure trade scopes and pricing are complete.

Drive the program:



set the program and manage the critical path. Make sure everyone involved — estimating, design, trades, consultants and the client — delivers on time.

Strong client communication: present cost, scope, risk and design recommendations to clients clearly, and get decisions. Provide the cost and technical input for proposals and tenders.

Procurement and trade letting: run the majority of procurement and trade letting alongside the Contracts Administrator. Level trade quotes like for like and make the subcontractor recommendation.

Contracts and commercial: support the Contracts Administrator on head contract and subcontract terms, and flag commercial risk early.

WHO YOU ARE

Construction expert: 10+ years in preconstruction, estimating or construction management with a commercial builder or head contractor, including projects of $20m and above.

Technically strong: deep knowledge of construction methodology, structure, services, trade sequencing and compliance. You can read a full set of documents and find what is wrong, missing, vague or over-designed.

Accurate on cost: a track record of estimates and cost plans that held up through delivery. You pick up weak scopes, loose assumptions and cost gaps before they become problems, and you can show how your numbers compared to final costs.

Commercially aware: you level trade prices like for like,



back your subcontractor recommendations with evidence, and understand the contract terms that sit behind them.

Design-to-cost experience: you have managed design with architects, engineers and consultants on D&C; or ECI projects, and cut cost through design changes.

Program driven: you have built and run preconstruction programs across multiple projects and tenders at once. You know the critical path on every project and make sure the people around you deliver to it.

Strong communicator: you can explain cost, scope, risk and methodology to clients, boards, consultants and subcontractors. You back your recommendations with evidence and get a decision.

Willing to challenge: you push back on designers, consultants, clients and internal teams when a budget, design, scope or assumption does not stack up.

ABOUT US

Formline is a Strategy, Design & Build Partner, working with growth-minded business owners and developers in the New England and across Australia. Our work is driven by our purpose, achieved through living our values, and focused on delivering better at every stage of the journey.

Purpose: Growth by Better
Vision: Building visions with trusted partners
Mission: Deliver better — at every stage of the journey
Values:

Care: Think of others first. Show humility and genuine care.

Be Transparent: Communicate openly and clearly. Honesty is the highest form of respect.

80/20 Focus: Focus on what matters most — 20% of activities drive 80% of results.

Make It Happen: Take ownership and deliver results. Find a way.

No Complacency: Never settle. Act with urgency, leave nothing to chance, and be relentless in the pursuit of growth by better.

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📌 Preconstruction Manager (Sydney)
🏢 Formline Group
📍 Sydney