Lead Estimator – Commercial Construction

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the complete estimating process from project pursuit through final bid submission and turnover.
• Review and interpret construction drawings, specifications, contracts, scopes of work, and bid documents.
• Develop conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, cost analyses, proposals, and bid packages.
• Develop effective bidding strategies based on project scope, market conditions, schedule, and competition.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and analyze labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and other project costs.
• Solicit bids and proposals from qualified subcontractors and suppliers.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers to ensure competitive bid coverage.
• Review subcontractor and vendor proposals for scope compliance, completeness, exclusions, qualifications, and pricing.
• Identify scope gaps, discrepancies, risks, and potential cost-saving opportunities.
• Cook up estimating resources and provide guidance to estimating support personnel.
• Mentor and support junior estimators and members of the preconstruction team.
• Lead project turnover meetings and communicate critical estimating assumptions, scope information, budgets, and risks to operations and project management.
• Collaborate with Accounting, Operations, Project Management, Purchasing, and executive leadership.
• Maintain accurate estimating documentation and records throughout the bidding process.
• Support continuous improvement of estimating procedures, tools, and processes.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in commercial construction estimating.
• Demonstrated experience leading estimating activities and bid teams.
• Strong knowledge of commercial construction methods, materials, labor, and pricing.
• Ability to accurately interpret blueprints, construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
• Strong understanding of subcontractor and vendor procurement processes.
• Excellent mathematical, analytical, and cost-estimating skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, estimates, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work effectively with clients, subcontractors, vendors, project managers, and senior leadership.