Project Manager​/Estimator; Exhibit, Trade Show, Event, Experiential Marketing

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager / Estimator from the exhibit, trade show, live event, or experiential marketing custom fabrication industry to join our team. This role is responsible for developing accurate estimates and managing projects through fabrication, logistics, and installation.

The ideal candidate understands the fast-paced nature of trade shows, exhibit fabrication shops, and experiential builds, including show deadlines, I&D schedules, and collaboration between design, sales, and production.

Candidates should have a strong background in estimating custom scenic, exhibits, retail environments, or experiential structures, and be comfortable managing multiple builds simultaneously.

• Review RFPs, design renderings, technical drawings, and other data to determine material, labor, and cost requirements.
• Perform quantity takeoffs for wood, metal, graphics, hardware, lighting, A/V, and specialty elements.
• Conduct special studies to establish standard hours, cost data, and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
• Collaborate with Sales, Design, clients, vendors, and internal teams to discuss, formulate, and value engineer estimates while maintaining project impact.
• Develop preliminary schedules and identify key cost drivers to support project planning and execution.
• Develop detailed project estimates and compute cost factors for planning, scheduling, vendor selection, bids, and overall cost-effectiveness.
• Build labor budgets, including shop, graphics, installation/dismantle, and supervision, as necessary.
• Solicit and evaluate vendor and subcontractor quotes to ensure competitive and accurate pricing.
• Attend estimating turnover meetings and participate in client pricing presentations as required.
• Analyze completed projects by comparing estimated costs to actual costs; identify trends and support management in cost reduction and process improvement efforts.

• Contribute to discussions with Account Management on resource allocation, scheduling, and project challenges.
• Develop and manage project schedules from award through installation.
• Establish and maintain project plans; report progress, elevate issues, and facilitate project reviews as necessary.
• Create and manage detailed project budgets; communicate with the Purchasing Manager to issue purchase orders.
• Lead cross-functional internal kickoff meetings.
• Facilitate meetings with appropriate personnel to communicate project deadlines, details, and expectations.
• Maintain client communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage project budgets, estimates, timelines, and workforce.
• Oversee shop production milestones and quality control for assigned projects.
• Coordinate logistics, shipping, and installation crews when services are contracted.
• Manage multiple medium-to-large projects simultaneously, including their project teams of varying size and complexity.
• Manage scope changes and issue change orders as required.
• Ensure projects are completed on time and within the client’s budget.
• Maintain accurate job cost tracking and monitor margin performance.
• Prepare cost analysis by summarizing material, labor, equipment, subcontractor, and overhead costs.
• Conduct post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of estimating and project management in the trade show and exhibit custom fabrication industry
• Expertise in estimating, quantity takeoffs, cost analysis, value engineering, and budget management.
• Project management skills, including scheduling, resource allocation, scope control, and multi-project oversight.
• Proficiency with estimating/project management software and the ability to interpret technical drawings and design renderings.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills to manage internal teams, clients, and vendors.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills to ensure projects are completed on time, on budget, and to quality standards.

We are looking for…