Chief Estimator

Our client is a privately held commercial general contractor providing preconstruction and construction services throughout the Southeastern United States. The company has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality commercial projects through long-standing client relationships, disciplined execution, and a collaborative approach to construction.

The organization offers a collaborative environment where professionals work closely with senior leadership and have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across both preconstruction and operations. This role provides significant visibility within the company and the opportunity to help shape estimating strategy while supporting the organization's continued growth.

The Chief Estimator will lead the company s estimating and preconstruction efforts, overseeing all aspects of budgeting, conceptual estimating, competitive bidding, subcontractor procurement, and pricing strategy. Working closely with executive leadership, operations, and business development, this individual will help evaluate project opportunities, establish pursuit strategies, and ensure estimates are both competitive and financially sound.

This role offers the opportunity to influence the direction of the business while leading the estimating function, mentoring team members, strengthening subcontractor relationships, and helping establish best practices across the preconstruction process.

• Lead all estimating and preconstruction activities from conceptual budgeting through project award.
• Prepare conceptual budgets, detailed quantity takeoffs, cost estimates, bid packages, and proposal documents for a variety of commercial construction projects.
• Review drawings, specifications, and contract documents to identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, project risks, and value engineering opportunities.
• Develop comprehensive project budgets by evaluating labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and general conditions costs.
• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and supplier proposals while ensuring complete project scope coverage and competitive pricing.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, owners, and consultants throughout the preconstruction process.
• Partner closely with operations to ensure a seamless transition from preconstruction through project execution and turnover.
• Participate in project planning meetings to establish estimating assumptions, schedules, logistics, procurement strategies, and project budgets.
• Present estimates, pricing recommendations, and bid analyses to executive leadership while providing insight into project risks, opportunities, and overall pursuit strategy.
• Assist in evaluating potential project opportunities and determining which pursuits best align with the company s strategic objectives and resources.
• Support negotiated work by preparing conceptual budgets and preliminary pricing during the early stages of project development.
• Maintain historical cost data, unit pricing, subcontractor information, and estimating databases to improve pricing accuracy and consistency.
• Continuously evaluate and improve estimating procedures, workflows, and best practices to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Lead, mentor, and develop estimating personnel while fostering a collaborative, high-performance team environment.
• Stay informed on market conditions, material pricing, labor trends, and subcontractor availability throughout the region.

• Bachelor s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of commercial construction estimating experience.
• Experience leading estimates from conceptual budgeting through final pricing and project award.
• Experience estimating commercial construction projects generally ranging from approximately $2 million to $15 million or more.
• Background estimating a variety of commercial project types, including ground-up construction and interior renovations.
• Strong knowledge of commercial construction methods, materials, building systems, and project delivery methods.
• Established relationships within the regional subcontractor and supplier community preferred.
• Experience managing multiple pursuits simultaneously while meeting critical deadlines.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Experience mentoring estimating teams and implementing process improvements.
• Proficiency with industry-standard estimating and construction management software.