Chief Estimator Construction (General Contracting)

SearchLabs

$190K — $230K *
Real Estate & Construction
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Diploma or degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architectural Technology, or related field
  • 8-12 years of progressive estimating experience in commercial, industrial, or institutional construction
  • Proven success in leading complex bids and mentoring estimating teams
  • Strong knowledge of construction methods, contracts, and delivery models (Lump Sum, CM, Design-Build)
  • Proficient in estimating software (OST, Bluebeam, Procore, etc.) and Microsoft Office
  • Strong financial, analytical, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
  • Ability to manage multiple bids under tight deadlines

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic leadership to Senior Estimators, Estimators, and Junior Estimators
  • Establish and enforce estimating standards, policies, and best practices
  • Mentor and develop staff for succession planning and leadership growth
  • Manage departmental workload across multiple tenders and deadlines
  • Lead go/no-go bid decisions in collaboration with executive leadership
  • Review and approve all final estimates for alignment with profitability and risk frameworks
  • Champion estimating technology, digital workflows, and scalable systems

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Opportunities for professional development
  • Supportive and collaborative work environment
  • Engagement in strategic planning and leadership initiatives
Full Job Description
Job Description
Chief Estimator - Construction (General Contracting)

Full-timeExecutive Estimating Leadership

Our client is a leading General Contractor recognized for delivering complex commercial, industrial, and institutional projects. They are seeking a Chief Estimator to lead their estimating department, drive bid strategy, and elevate preconstruction excellence across the organization.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing all estimating activities, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and profitability while mentoring a high-performing team and collaborating closely with executive leadership.

What You Will Lead

  • Providestrategic leadership to Senior Estimators, Estimators, and JuniorEstimators.
  • Establishand enforce estimating standards, policies, and best practices.
  • Mentorand develop staff, ensuring strong succession planning and futureleadership growth.
  • Managedepartmental workload across multiple tenders and deadlines.
  • Leadgo/no-go bid decisions with executive leadership.
  • Overseeconceptual budgets, schematic estimates, detailed bids, and procurementstrategies.
  • Reviewand approve all final estimates to ensure alignment with profitability andrisk frameworks.
  • Ensureestimates achieve targeted gross margins by project type.
  • Leadbid risk identification and management reviews.
  • Directmajor tender closings and ensure compliant, accurate, strategicsubmissions.
  • Leadproject handoff meetings to Operations, ensuring full transfer ofassumptions, risks, and pricing strategies.
  • Collaboratewith Operations and Business Development to align estimating strategy withcompany objectives.
  • Actas a senior preconstruction contact for clients and consultants.
  • Provideexecutive-level input on bid strategy, value engineering,constructability, and delivery models.
  • Trackmarket trends, subcontractor pricing, and material costs to maintaincompetitiveness.
  • Buildand maintain strong relationships with clients, developers, consultants,and trade partners.
  • Supportcontract negotiations through cost breakdowns, scope clarifications, andrisk analysis.
  • Championestimating technology, digital workflows, and scalable systems.
  • Overseehistorical cost data, benchmarking tools, and lessons-learned integration.
  • MonitorKPIs including bid-win ratios, estimate accuracy, and proposal quality.
  • Participatein GC leadership team planning and strategy.


Requirements

What You Bring

  • Diplomaor degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, ArchitecturalTechnology, or related field.
  • 8-12years of progressive estimating experience in commercial, industrial, orinstitutional construction.
  • Provensuccess leading complex bids and mentoring estimating teams.
  • Strongknowledge of construction methods, contracts, and delivery models (LumpSum, CM, Design-Build).
  • Proficiencywith estimating software (OST, Bluebeam, Procore, etc.) and MicrosoftOffice.
  • Strongfinancial, analytical, communication, negotiation, and presentationskills.
  • Abilityto manage multiple bids under tight deadlines.
  • Establishedsubcontractor and supplier relationships considered an asset.


Benefits

Compensation: $190,000 - $230,000 + full package

Disclaimers

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial intelligence (AI) is not used to screen, assess, or make hiring decisions for this role. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by our recruitment team.

Vacancy Status This posting represents a current vacancy.

Additional Notes Compensation discussions and negotiation guidance will be provided during the hiring process as appropriate.

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