Senior Estimator

Senior Estimator

Department: Estimating

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Compensation: $125,000 - $180,000 / year

The Senior Estimator leads the full budget lifecycle for complex projects, ensuring accurate and competitive estimates from conceptual design through bid. This role drives estimating strategy, oversees cost development and risk management, and coordinates client budget presentations and design-phase cost guidance. The Senior Estimator partners closely with Preconstruction, Operations, and trade partners to influence project outcomes, support successful project delivery, and continuously improve estimating practices.

• Lead and control the full budget lifecycle (conceptual through bid), developing accurate estimates using historical data, market intelligence, and subcontractor input.
• Prepare and present budgets and executive summaries to clients, clearly communicating cost drivers, risks, and changes.
• Ensure alignment between estimate intent, project buyout, and historical cost feedback.

• Oversee trade scoping and subcontractor bid analysis, ensuring full scope coverage, pricing accuracy, and risk alignment.
• Apply and validate allowances, qualifications, exclusions, plugs, and contingency to manage risk and support estimate strategy.
• Track and explain cost variances between estimate phases and support value engineering development.
• Influence bid strategy through scope definition, pricing approach, and subcontractor selection.

• Ensure strong, strategic subcontractor coverage through proactive planning, relationship management, and targeted engagement.
• Identify and address coverage gaps early while leveraging key trade, supplier, and manufacturer relationships to enhance competitiveness and reduce risk.

• Partner with Preconstruction and Operations to develop and execute winning pursuit strategies.
• Engage with clients and design teams, providing real-time cost input and influencing design decisions.
• Lead project handoff and post-award reviews to drive accountability and continuous improvement.

• Mentor and develop Estimators and Estimating Engineers, improving technical capabilities and team consistency.
• Provide feedback, coaching, and support performance development.
• Manage team workload and staff responsibilities to optimize performance.

• Lead and support initiatives that improve estimating processes, tools, and efficiency.
• Drive adoption of new practices and contribute to continuous improvement across the department.
• Ensure alignment between SPG and department standards, practices, and objectives.

• Advanced expertise in construction estimating, cost modeling, and preconstruction processes.
• Advanced understanding of conceptual and detailed estimating, cost drivers, and risk management strategies.
• Ability to develop budgets with incomplete information and apply appropriate assumptions and risk strategies.
• Strong proficiency in cost analysis, subcontractor bid evaluation, and scope development.
• Proficiency in Excel, Bluebeam, Plan Grid/Pro Core (or equivalent Electronic Document Viewer), OST (or equivalent Quantity Take-off Software)

• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple deadlines.
• Basic understanding of business operations and workflows.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse teams.
• Professional demeanor and customer service orientation.

• Detail-oriented and self-motivated.
• High degree of integrity and accountability.
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in construction estimating or preconstruction with a commercial general contractor.
• Proven experience leading budgets, client presentations, and project pursuits.
• Strong knowledge of multiple project types, delivery methods, and construction…