Chief Estimator - Construction Background!

Position Overview

The Chief Estimator is responsible for leading the estimating and preconstruction efforts for a diverse portfolio of commercial construction projects, including healthcare, education, public works, municipal, institutional, and multifamily developments.

This position will oversee the estimating team, establish bid strategy, review and approve project estimates, and ensure budgets are accurate, competitive, and aligned with project requirements. The Chief Estimator will work closely with senior leadership, Project Managers, Superintendents, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and clients throughout the preconstruction process.

The ideal candidate brings extensive commercial construction estimating experience along with the leadership skills to develop an estimating team, improve processes, and provide strategic direction on complex pursuits.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the estimating and preconstruction department.
• Manage, mentor, and develop Estimators and Preconstruction team members.
• Assign projects and manage estimating workload, priorities, and deadlines.
• Develop bid strategies and provide final review of estimates before submission.
• Oversee conceptual, schematic, design development, GMP, negotiated, and hard-bid estimates.
• Review plans, specifications, and bid documents to identify scope gaps, risks, and constructability concerns.
• Oversee subcontractor solicitation, bid leveling, scope analysis, and vendor pricing.
• Lead value engineering and cost-saving initiatives throughout preconstruction.
• Collaborate with Operations and senior leadership on project pursuits and go/no-go decisions.
• Participate in client presentations, proposal reviews, and preconstruction meetings.
• Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, owners, architects, and consultants.
• Monitor market conditions, labor costs, material pricing, and subcontractor availability.
• Maintain and improve historical cost databases and estimating standards.
• Establish estimating procedures and best practices to improve accuracy and consistency.
• Oversee project handoffs from estimating/preconstruction to operations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive construction estimating and preconstruction experience.
• Previous leadership experience as a Chief Estimator, Estimating Manager, Preconstruction Manager, or Senior Estimator.
• Strong background estimating complex commercial construction projects.
• Experience with healthcare, education, public works, civic, institutional, or multifamily projects preferred.
• Proven experience managing estimates from conceptual budgeting through GMP, negotiated, and hard-bid proposals.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, scheduling, procurement, and project delivery.
• Extensive experience with subcontractor procurement, bid leveling, and scope analysis.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple project pursuits and estimating teams simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• Experience estimating projects ranging from $5M to $100M+.
• Experience leading and developing an estimating/preconstruction team.
• Strong background in value engineering and constructability reviews.
• Experience with public works bidding and alternative project delivery methods.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam, OST, BuildingConnected, Procore, Sage Estimating, PlanSwift, or similar platforms.
• Strong knowledge of current construction costs, labor markets, material pricing, and procurement strategies.