What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Estimator position at Polk?
Build More Than Buildings – Build a Legacy.
At Polk Mechanical, we don’t just construct exceptional commercial spaces—we’re building a culture of excellence, ownership, and pride. As one of Texas’s fastest-growing mechanical contractors, Polk’s Austin team is expanding, and we’re looking for a Chief Estimator who’s ready to lead with precision, vision, and impact.
This is your chance to be part of something extraordinary—an opportunity to shape the future of our Austin operation, influence multi-million-dollar projects, and forge powerful industry relationships that will elevate your career to the next level.
What You’ll Do:
- Builds and Develops estimates with razor-sharp accuracy within 2% of final award numbers.
- Collaborate with leadership teams across offices (Austin and DFW) to align bid strategy with sales and market goals.
- Performs and/or manages quantity take offs.
- Mentor and guide a high-performing team of estimators, fostering a winning people-first culture.
- Build strong relationships with top general contractors, clients, and vendors you’ll be known by name and respected by reputation.
- Represent Polk at industry events and drive brand presence in the Austin construction community
What Success Looks Like:
- You know the top 10 GCs in Austin—and they know you.
- You drive hit ratios from 20% to 25% in your first year.
- You deliver 100% of estimates on time, every time.
- You’re a go-to leader for strategic pricing, risk analysis, and contract negotiations.
What You Bring:
- 10 years of mechanical contracting experience, with deep knowledge of estimating systems, labor factors, and cost analysis.
- Strong proficiency with estimating software and digital takeoff tools
- Strong understanding of drawings, specifications, and contract documents
- Experience estimating HVAC, plumbing, piping, and/or mechanical systems
- Familiarity with pre-construction workflows, proposal development, and value engineering
- Ability to lead estimate reviews and present findings to leadership
- Strong presentation and negotiation skills—you command the room and close the deal.
- Experience mentoring teams, managing department performance, and influencing executive-level decisions.
- A collaborative mindset with a competitive edge—driven by results, respected by peers.
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field is preferred
Why You’ll Thrive Here:
- 🏆 Leadership & Ownership: You’ll work directly with the VP of Austin Construction and Polk’s Preconstruction leadership team.
- 💸 Competitive Pay 401(k) Match
- 🩺 100% Employer-Paid Benefits
- 🌱 Culture of Growth: At Polk, we invest in our people—your success is our mission.
- 🛠️ Real Impact: Your estimates don’t sit in a folder—they drive million-dollar projects forward.