Chief Estimator

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all estimating and preconstruction activities across the organization.
• Establish estimating standards, procedures, tools, and best practices.
• Manage estimating department staffing, workload, resource allocation, and recruiting efforts.
• Lead the pursuit strategy for major and complex projects.
• Review and approve conceptual budgets, GMPs, negotiated proposals, and final estimates.
• Collaborate with Operations leadership to develop project execution strategies.
• Support business development efforts, client presentations, interviews, and proposal development.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Oversee value engineering, constructability reviews, risk assessments, and logistics planning.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development for Estimators and Senior Estimators.
• Monitor market trends, labor conditions, material pricing, and subcontractor capacity.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating technology, systems, and processes.
• Participate in strategic planning and contribute to company growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of commercial construction estimating experience.
• 5+ years of estimating leadership or management experience.
• Strong experience with negotiated work, conceptual estimating, budgeting, and preconstruction services.
• Proven ability to lead large and complex commercial construction pursuits.
• Strong understanding of construction means, methods, scheduling, procurement, and project delivery.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and developing estimating talent.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with estimating software, project management platforms, and construction technology tools.

Success Measures

• Accuracy and competitiveness of estimates and budgets.
• Achievement of company revenue, backlog, and pursuit goals.
• Successful management of estimating department workload and staffing.
• Development and retention of estimating personnel.
• Quality of project turnover to Operations.
• Client satisfaction and repeat business.
• Continuous improvement of estimating processes and technology.
• Contribution to company profitability and strategic growth.