Head of Estimating & Business Development

Head of Estimating & Business Development

for Commercial Landscape Construction

Mesa, Arizona | Full-time | In office | 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Base salary: $160,000-$170,000 annually

Annual performance bonus: 25%-35% of base salary, based on performance

An established, privately owned commercial landscape construction company is seeking a Head of Estimating & Business Development to lead both functions. With more than 40 years in business, approximately $25 million in annual revenue, and typical construction projects of $40k-$2 million, the company offers long-term stability and the opportunity to shape its next phase of growth.

Reporting directly to the President, you will serve alongside the Controller and operations leader on the senior leadership team. Estimating is the primary responsibility: you will be the company's senior estimating authority, personally prepare and review bids, and further develop a team of two to three estimators and one or two salesperson(s). You will also maintain key client relationships and generate new business, with increasing autonomy to shape your team and approach as you establish results.

Estimating & Bid Strategy

Review detailed estimates, quantity takeoffs, and proposals for large commercial landscape construction projects. Evaluate plans, specifications, site conditions, scope gaps, and bid risks.

Validate labor and production assumptions, material quantities, equipment costs, and subcontractor pricing across self-performed and subcontracted work. Establish clear scopes, inclusions, and exclusions.

Own bid/no-bid decisions, bid priorities, and pricing strategy. Partner with the President and Controller on financial targets, margin requirements, and significant financial commitments.

Maintain accurate, timely bid submissions and strengthen estimating standards, cost information, and software-supported workflows. Identify practical process improvements that increase accuracy and efficiency.

Business Development & Client Relationships

Maintain and grow relationships with general contractors and other construction decision-makers throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Personally prospect, develop opportunities, negotiate, and close work.

Own pipeline visibility, bid follow-up, and account development. Build profitable backlog that aligns with the company's capabilities and operations capacity.

Identify opportunities to expand existing accounts, diversify the customer base, and enter complementary markets in collaboration with the President.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

Hire, train, mentor, and lead estimators. Set expectations, prioritize workloads, and shape staffing as business needs evolve.

Partner with the President, Controller, and operations leader on growth plans, departmental budgets, forecasts, and performance measures.

Ensure complete handoffs of awarded work to operations. Review job-cost feedback together to improve future estimates while operations retains responsibility for project execution.

What You Bring

At least 10 years of relevant experience in commercial landscape construction, civil/site development, or a closely related outdoor construction discipline, including substantial hands-on estimating responsibility for projects valued at $40k to $2million, or more.

Deep estimating expertise and a successful history of using digital takeoff and estimating software to produce accurate, detailed bids.

Broad understanding of landscape construction scopes, including planting, irrigation, grading, drainage, hardscape, concrete, lighting, and site furnishings, across self-performed and subcontracted work.

Experience estimating large-scale outdoor construction in the Phoenix area or a comparable hot, arid climate, with the ability to account for site conditions and their effects on cost, productivity, and scheduling.

Demonstrated success developing client relationships, pursuing opportunities, negotiating work, and balancing competitive pricing with profitability.

Leadership demonstrated through managing major bids, mentoring estimators, coordinating teams, or owning key customer relationships. Formal people-management experience is preferred, not required.

An established network of Phoenix-area general contractors and construction decision-makers is strongly preferred. Familiarity with commercial landscape maintenance and construction-to-maintenance opportunities is an additional advantage, not the primary focus of this role.

Proven department leaders and accomplished senior estimators or preconstruction professionals with business development experience who are ready for broader responsibility are encouraged to apply. A demonstrated track record matters more than a particular degree or prior title.

What Success Looks Like

Early success means preserving client confidence and the current bid win rate while maintaining estimating accuracy, timely proposals, and margin discipline. Ongoing results will include profitable awards and backlog, qualified pipeline growth, estimating turnaround, team development, and estimate-to-actual performance reviewed with operations.

Benefits

Standard health coverage; retirement plan; paid time off and holidays; vehicle or allowance; fuel/mileage; phone; and any other approved benefits, to be discussed upon offer.

To Apply

Submit your resume for consideration. Cover letter is preferred. Send both to evan@watersbusinessconsulting.com and RichS@watersbusinessconsulting.com. Title email; Head of Estimating and Business Development Role Application.