Director of Estimating & Preconstruction

Head of Bidding & Estimating

Commercial Construction | Northern Virginia / Mid-Atlantic

A growing commercial general contractor in the Northern Virginia market is seeking a high-impact Head of Bidding & Estimating to lead and modernize its preconstruction and estimating function.

This is a highly visible leadership role reporting directly to the CEO and will play a critical part in the company’s long-term growth strategy.

We are not looking for someone who simply produces estimates.

We are looking for a strategic leader who can:

• drive smart pursuit strategy
• lead high-level preconstruction efforts
• build trust with owners and clients
• improve estimating systems and discipline
• confidently represent the company in the room
• help scale the organization through operational excellence

This role is ideal for someone who combines strong commercial construction estimating expertise with executive presence, leadership ability, business acumen, and a forward-thinking mindset.

The Opportunity

The company is actively investing in:

• operational systems
• process improvement
• leadership development
• AI and technology integration
• disciplined, profitable growth

The Head of Bidding & Estimating will help build the engine behind that growth.

You will lead bidding strategy, oversee estimating workflows, improve forecasting accuracy, strengthen subcontractor engagement, and help ensure the company is pursuing the right work, not simply the most work.

This role will directly influence:

• project selection
• margin protection
• client relationships
• revenue growth
• long-term scalability

The organization performs a mix of:

• negotiated work
• GMP projects
• hard bids
• conceptual estimating
• preconstruction services

Projects range across:

• industrial
• athletic & recreation
• education
• faith-based
• commercial construction sectors

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Lead Strategic Estimating & Bidding Efforts

• Oversee all estimating and bid development activities
• Develop accurate, competitive, and strategically positioned estimates
• Lead pricing strategy from conceptual budgeting through final submission
• Partner with operations and leadership teams to align pricing with execution realities
• Improve win rates while protecting profitability

Build a Disciplined Estimating Operation

• Establish estimating standards, workflows, and accountability systems
• Develop bid calendars, forecasting tools, and reporting metrics
• Improve estimating consistency, accuracy, and turnaround times
• Build and maintain historical cost databases and benchmarking systems
• Reduce fire drills and create a more predictable bidding environment

Client & Owner Engagement

• Participate in owner meetings, presentations, and preconstruction discussions
• Build credibility and trust with clients and partners
• Clearly communicate pricing, assumptions, risks, and value engineering opportunities
• Represent the company professionally in high-stakes conversations

Lead Vendor & Subcontractor Relationships

• Strengthen subcontractor participation and coverage
• Improve vendor relationships and bid competitiveness
• Ensure proper scope coverage and minimize pricing gaps
• Support negotiations and procurement strategy where needed

Drive Innovation & Technology Adoption

• Help modernize the estimating function through AI and technology tools
• Improve data visibility and decision-making capabilities
• Bring a continuous improvement mindset to systems and workflows

What We’re Looking For

Required Experience

• 10 years of commercial construction estimating and/or preconstruction leadership experience
• Experience leading large commercial bids and negotiated pursuits
• Strong understanding of:
• conceptual estimating
• GMPs
• hard bids
• preconstruction services
• subcontractor management
• Experience managing multiple pursuits simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to lead teams or cross-functional bid coordination efforts

Leadership & Communication

The ideal candidate is:

• polished and professional
• confident in front of owners and executives
• emotionally mature
• highly accountable
• data-driven
• calm under pressure
• clear and concise communicator

This person must be able to walk into a room independently, represent the company well, and build trust quickly.

Mindset & Culture Fit

We are looking for someone who:

• takes ownership
• thrives in high-accountability environments
• is hungry, competitive, and growth-oriented
• embraces feedback and coaching
• wants to build something meaningful
• is excited by change and modernization
• is interested in leveraging AI and emerging technology to improve operations

Preferred Background

Strong preference for candidates with experience in:

• Mid-Atlantic commercial construction markets
• Industrial construction
• Athletic/recreation facilities
• Education projects
• Faith-based construction
• Complex negotiated work

Experience with projects ranging from $10M–$30M strongly preferred.

Location

This role supports projects throughout:

• Northern Virginia
• Maryland
• Washington, D.C.
• West Virginia

Ideal candidates will already be located within or connected to the Northern Virginia / DC commercial construction market.

Potential office flexibility exists within:

• Fairfax County
• Loudoun County
• Prince William County
• Fredericksburg region
• Marshall / Reston corridor

Why This Role Stands Out

• Direct access to executive leadership
• Opportunity to build and shape a critical function
• High visibility and influence across the organization
• Strong long-term growth trajectory
• Company actively investing in systems, leadership, and innovation
• Ability to make a measurable impact immediately

If you’re a builder, leader, strategist, and relationship-driven estimating professional looking for a meaningful growth opportunity, we’d love to connect.