Chief Estimator

The Chief Estimator is responsible for leading and overseeing the estimating function, including the development, review, and delivery of accurate and competitive estimates for construction, detention equipment, manufacturing, and related project opportunities.

This position provides leadership and technical direction to the estimating team while establishing consistent estimating standards, processes, and cost databases. The Chief Estimator will work closely with Preconstruction, Operations, Project Management, Design/Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, and executive leadership to evaluate opportunities, identify project risks, develop pricing strategies, and support successful project awards.

The ideal candidate is a highly experienced construction estimator with strong leadership skills, sound commercial judgment, and the ability to evaluate complex projects from conceptual budgeting through final bid.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating Leadership

• Lead and manage the estimating team and overall estimating workload.
• Assign estimating responsibilities based on project size, complexity, schedule, and estimator experience.
• Establish and maintain consistent estimating procedures, templates, and standards.
• Mentor and develop Estimators and Senior Estimators.
• Review estimates for completeness, accuracy, competitiveness, and compliance with project requirements.
• Conduct final estimate reviews prior to submission to executive leadership or clients.

Estimate Development

• Develop and oversee conceptual, budgetary, design-development, and final construction estimates.
• Review drawings, specifications, scopes of work, contracts, and other bid documents.
• Perform or oversee quantity takeoffs and detailed cost analysis.
• Develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, manufacturing, freight, and other project costs.
• Evaluate subcontractor and supplier proposals for scope coverage and pricing.
• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, clarifications, allowances, and assumptions.
• Maintain historical cost information and utilize completed-project data to improve future estimates.

Bid Strategy & Risk Management

• Participate in bid/no-bid evaluations with senior leadership.
• Identify project risks, unusual contract requirements, schedule concerns, and potential cost exposures.
• Recommend appropriate contingencies, escalation, allowances, and pricing strategies.
• Lead estimate review and turnover meetings.
• Assist leadership in determining final pricing, margins, and competitive strategy.
• Support value engineering and alternative construction or manufacturing approaches.

Preconstruction & Operations Coordination

• Work closely with Preconstruction, Design/Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Project Management throughout the estimating process.
• Coordinate with Operations to validate labor productivity, staffing assumptions, schedules, logistics, and means and methods.
• Participate in design reviews to identify cost impacts and value-engineering opportunities.
• Ensure awarded projects are properly transitioned from estimating to the project execution team.
• Conduct estimate-to-actual reviews and incorporate lessons learned into future estimates.

Subcontractor & Vendor Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, and trade partners.
• Assist in expanding the company's subcontractor and vendor network.
• Review subcontractor coverage and identify areas requiring additional competition.
• Work with Procurement to evaluate market pricing, lead times, material availability, and escalation risks.

Process Improvement

• Continuously improve estimating systems, procedures, and cost databases.
• Develop standardized estimating metrics and reporting.
• Monitor estimate performance against actual project costs.
• Identify recurring estimating variances and recommend corrective actions.
• Support implementation and effective use of estimating and construction management technology.

Qualifications

• 10 years of progressive construction estimating experience preferred.
• 5 years of experience in a Senior Estimator, Estimating Manager, Chief Estimator, or similar leadership role preferred.
• Strong understanding of commercial and/or institutional construction.
• Experience with specialty construction, detention equipment, security construction, manufacturing, modular construction, or similar complex scopes is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and project delivery methods.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and review detailed estimates for large and complex projects.
• Strong understanding of labor productivity, material pricing, subcontractor scopes, project schedules, logistics, and construction means and methods.
• Experience developing conceptual estimates from incomplete design information.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency with estimating software, Microsoft Excel, and construction management systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience will be considered.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance