Senior Estimating Manager (design-build MEP)
Relocation required and offered (the role is in Rochester, MN). Large projects ($100M+), high growth, great culture, and high bonuses.
About us
We're one of the country's leading mechanical contractors, delivering HVAC, piping, and mechanical solutions on projects of every size and complexity — from stadiums and hospitals to power plants, manufacturing facilities, concert halls, and classrooms. Operating from multiple regional locations nationwide, we pair the stability, resources, and reach of a national firm with the team culture, creative spirit, and customer loyalty of a local business. We've grown roughly 70% in the past year and have been recognized year after year as a top place to work — a reflection of the flat, highly collaborative culture we've built and the people we keep investing in.
Why join us?
- Real growth, real momentum — ~70% growth in the past year means new projects, new scope, and a clear runway to advance
- Build something that's yours — you're not inheriting a polished machine; you'll architect the estimating department's strategy, standards, and systems from the ground up
- Lead and shape a team — step in as the leader that estimators have been waiting for, with full ownership of how the group develops
- Award-winning, top-workplace culture — recognized year after year, with a flat, collaborative structure where your voice actually carries
- National strength, local feel — the resources and project variety of a national contractor with the tight-knit culture of a local shop
Responsibilities
Strategic Planning
- Establish standardized procedures, methods, and processes for estimating; oversee analyses of past project performance and set estimating standards for all future estimates; assist in oversight of the historical cost database, bid management, and estimating software
- Actively participate in various corporate strategic initiatives as assigned
- Coordinate and lead pre-bid strategy meetings
- Establish protocols, policies, procedures, and KPIs — and follow up to ensure execution
- Source and analyze competitive bid opportunities in the region
Estimating
- Oversee and/or perform the estimation process, ensuring the team coordinates with suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors
- Oversee and/or prepare estimates utilizing estimating software
- Oversee and/or attend pre-bid, page turn, project turnover, and preplanning meetings as required
- Oversee and/or assist/prepare scope and proposal letters
- Review all final estimate packages to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to formal quotation
- Administer the estimating systems, including software upgrades, training, and pricing updates
Leadership
- Manage the division estimating team — recruiting, training, developing, motivating, and mentoring
- Foster the desired company culture
- Emphasize a strong safety culture at all times
- Provide growth and development opportunities through training and continuing education
Organizational Support and Relationship Building
- Collaborate with corporate and project management to determine which projects to bid, plus strategies and techniques
- Participate in presentations to corporate management and clients; may be responsible for closing the "sale"
- Initiate and lead the project turnover process, including turnover meetings, job set-up, and pre-planning; assist the project team as necessary
- Provide technical assistance in negotiating contracts, change orders, etc. as required
- Work closely with Superintendents and Foremen; provide job information as necessary
- Develop customer partnerships that generate long-term relationships and ongoing opportunities
- Build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation with clients
Requirements
- 10+ years of mechanical HVAC and piping estimating experience
- 10+ years of knowledge of corporate objectives impacting estimating, estimating strategies and techniques, and construction contracts
- 10+ years using industry-standard estimating and takeoff software
- 5+ years leading, coaching, and mentoring an estimating team
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a related technical field preferred
Pay
$105,000 - $158,000 per year