Chief Estimator

Chief Estimator

Dallas Mechanical Group is seeking an experienced and results-driven Chief Estimator to lead and manage the estimating department. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing estimating operations, developing and implementing estimating best practices, improving departmental efficiency, and ensuring the accuracy and consistency of project estimates. The Chief Estimator will provide strategic direction for preconstruction efforts, mentor and develop estimating personnel, establish and enforce estimating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and evaluate and implement estimating technologies and software platforms when beneficial to the organization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop the estimating team.
• Establish departmental goals, performance metrics, and accountability standards.
• Recruit, train, and evaluate estimating personnel in coordination with company leadership and HR.
• Conduct workload planning and assign estimating resources based on bid volume, complexity, and deadlines.
• Oversee the preparation and review of conceptual, budgetary, negotiated, design-build, design-assist, and competitive bid estimates.
• Ensure estimates are complete, accurate, competitive, and aligned with company profitability objectives.
• Review labor productivity assumptions, material pricing, subcontractor coverage, scope inclusions and exclusions, risk factors, and project execution strategies.
• Develop and maintain consistent estimating standards, templates, proposal formats, bid review processes, and estimate validation procedures.
• Create, implement, and continuously improve estimating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Establish and maintain estimating databases, labor units, assemblies, historical cost data, and productivity benchmarks.
• Evaluate estimating software, digital takeoff tools, pricing databases, and other technologies that may improve departmental performance.
• Recommend, implement, and drive adoption of a new estimating platform if it is determined to be in the best interest of the company.
• Develop training plans and usage expectations for estimating software and related tools.
• Participate in project pursuit strategy, bid/no-bid discussions, and customer-facing preconstruction efforts.
• Support business development through client meetings, presentations, budgeting exercises, and preconstruction services.
• Develop and maintain relationships with owners, general contractors, engineers, architects, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Work closely with project management and operations teams to ensure a complete and clear handoff from estimating to operations.
• Participate in project turnover meetings and review scope, estimate basis, labor assumptions, exclusions, alternates, risk items, and subcontractor/vendor coverage.
• Compare completed project costs against estimates and incorporate lessons learned into future estimates.
• Review contract documents, specifications, drawings, addenda, and bid requirements for scope gaps, exclusions, risk items, and unusual requirements.
• Identify and communicate significant commercial, operational, technical, schedule, and manpower risks prior to bid submission.
• Ensure appropriate clarifications, inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, and contingencies are incorporated into estimates and proposals.
• Provide regular reporting on bid activity, backlog opportunities, hit rate, estimating workload, department performance, and other key metrics.
• Ensure estimating documents are properly organized, saved, and maintained in the company estimating folders or designated systems.
• Comply with all Company operating policies, procedures, and safety programs as established.
• Perform additional assignments as required by the needs of the company or as…