Vice President - Pre-Construction

Summary

The Vice President of Estimating provides executive leadership for estimating and preconstruction, driving strategy, performance, and operational excellence across the organization. This role is responsible for shaping bid strategy, optimizing project selection, and ensuring the delivery of accurate, competitive estimates that support revenue growth and margin performance. The VP of Estimating partners closely with operations, business development, and executive leadership to align estimating efforts with market opportunities, client needs, and long-term company objectives. This role also leads the development of teams, systems, and processes that enable scalable, data-driven estimating practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Executive Leadership & Strategy:
  • Define and execute an estimating strategy aligned with the company's growth, market positioning, and profitability goals
  • Drive go/no-go decision-making, bid prioritization, and portfolio management across all pursuits
  • Partner with executive leadership to support forecasting, backlog planning, and revenue projections
  • Analyze market conditions, labor trends, and material pricing to inform strategic direction
  • Play a key role in major pursuits, high-value bids, and strategic client opportunities
• Estimating Oversight & Performance:
  • Provide executive oversight of all estimates, budgets, and proposals to ensure accuracy, consistency, and competitiveness
  • Establish and enforce estimating standards, procedures, and best practices across all business units
  • Lead final bid reviews and approvals, ensuring alignment with risk tolerance and margin targets
  • Ensure integration of historical cost data, benchmarking, and performance analytics into estimating practice
• Operational & Financial Alignment:
  • Align estimating outputs with operations to ensure successful project execution and handoff
  • Monitor and analyze project performance (estimated vs. actual) to drive continuous improvement
  • Lead initiatives focused on cost accuracy, productivity assumptions, and margin improvement
  • Ensure consistent cost structures, pricing methodologies, and financial discipline across all estimates
• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop estimating leaders and teams across the organization
  • Establish organizational structure, staffing plans, and workforce development strategies
  • Drive performance management, training programs, and succession planning
  • Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture focused on accountability and results
• Client, Market & Business Development Engagement:
  • Build and maintain executive-level relationships with key clients, general contractors, and partners
  • Support business development efforts, including strategic pursuits, client presentations, and negotiations
  • Identify and evaluate new market opportunities, sectors, and delivery methods (e.g., design-build, EPC)
  • Strengthen the company's competitive position through market intelligence and relationship development
• Process, Systems & Innovation:
  • Lead the advancement of estimating tools, technology, and data analytics
  • Champion continuous improvement of estimating workflows, SOPs, and automation
  • Ensure accuracy and integrity of estimating databases and cost history
  • Drive innovation in preconstruction practices to improve efficiency and scalability

Qualifications

• Experience & Education:
  • 12–15+ years of experience in electrical construction estimating or preconstruction
  • 5+ years of executive or senior leadership experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred (Master's a plus)
  • Equivalent field or trade experience strongly considered
• Technical Expertise:
  • Deep expertise in electrical estimating, including labor modeling, material pricing, and cost drivers
  • Advanced proficiency with estimating software (e.g., Accubid, Bluebeam, Procore, or similar)
  • Strong financial acumen, including forecasting, margin analysis, and cost control
  • Comprehensive understanding of construction delivery methods and contract structures
• Core Competencies:
  • Strategic thinker with strong business and financial acumen
  • Proven leadership and organizational development capabilities
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presence
  • Ability to influence decision-making at all levels of the organization
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment

Benefits

At Baker, we are proud to be an employee-owned company. When you join, you will have the opportunity for a great career and the financial benefits of being an owner. Through our ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), eligible employees can become part owners of the company. Instead of just receiving a paycheck, you will be given shares of the company's stock over time. As the company prospers, the value of these shares can increase, providing you with a potential wealth-building opportunity in addition to a competitive compensation package. The ESOP will enable you to share the company's success and growth.

Pay

The starting salary for this opportunity range is listed. Other rewards may include annual bonus eligibility based on company and individual performance, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards.