Chief Estimator

Framework - Construction Recruiting; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision

Job summary

Framework - Construction Recruiting partners with a Northeast commercial general contractor to hire a Chief Estimator to lead estimating and preconstruction. This senior leadership role will run the estimating department, shape strategy for major pursuits, and advise project teams and executive leadership on risk and opportunity.

The position requires 10+ years in commercial estimating and 5+ years in leading an estimating group, with deep experience in negotiated work, GMPs, and full

Qualifications

• 10+ years in commercial construction estimating.
• 5+ years leading an estimating group and developing talent.
• Experience with negotiated work, conceptual estimating, budgeting, and preconstruction.
• Experience across delivery methods: stipulated sum, GMP, and cost plus.
• History of leading large, complex pursuits and winning them.
• Strong knowledge of means and methods, scheduling, procurement, and project delivery.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Proficient with estimating software and project management platforms.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Engineering preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own estimating and preconstruction from concept budgets to final pricing.
• Set pursuit strategy on major projects and lead the ones that matter.
• Sign off on budgets, GMPs, negotiated proposals, and bids.
• Run the department: staffing, workload, and recruiting.
• Coach and develop estimators and build a bench for promotion.
• Define standards and tools the department uses and continuously improve them.
• Work with Operations on strategy, constructability, value engineering, logistics, and risk.
• Support Business Development in client presentations and proposals.
• Maintain strong relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors.
• Track labor and material costs and market trends to reflect pricing reality.
• Ensure smooth handover from preconstruction to Operations.
• Contribute to strategic planning and growth targets.

Skills

Estimating experience

Team leadership

Negotiated work

Means & methods

Communication skills

Estimating software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction/Engineering

Tools

Estimating software

Project management tools

Construction technology

Job description

Salary: $170,000 - $235,000, based on experience

We are working with a well established commercial general contractor in the Northeast to find a Chief Estimator to lead estimating and preconstruction. The firm combines the personal touch of a family run business with the capabilities of a larger organization, and their portfolio spans corporate, hospitality, retail, multifamily, and civic work. They have built a strong reputation on client satisfaction and long-term relationships, and their culture blends serious craftsmanship with a team-first environment that values people who take pride in their work.

This is a senior leadership seat. You will run the estimating department, set the strategy on the company's biggest pursuits, and act as a trusted advisor to project teams and executive leadership on where the risk and the opportunity sit in every job. The estimates you sign off on shape how the company grows, so the role calls for someone who can balance accuracy, competitiveness, and market reality while building a team that does the same.

What You'll Do

• Own estimating and preconstruction for the company, from early conceptual budgets through final pricing.
• Set the pursuit strategy on major and complex projects and personally lead the ones that matter most.
• Sign off on conceptual budgets, GMPs, negotiated proposals, and hard bid numbers before they go out the door.
• Run the department: workload, staffing, resource allocation, and recruiting as the team grows.
• Coach and develop Estimators and Senior Estimators, and build a bench the company can promote from.
• Define the standards, procedures, and tools the department works from, and keep improving them.
• Work alongside Operations leadership on execution strategy, constructability, value engineering, logistics, and risk.
• Back up Business Development in client presentations, interviews, and proposals.
• Keep strong working relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Track labor conditions, material pricing, subcontractor capacity, and market trends so pricing reflects what is actually happening out there.
• Make sure every awarded project hands over cleanly from preconstruction to Operations.
• Sit at the table for strategic planning and contribute to the company's growth targets.

What You'll Bring

• 10+ years of commercial construction estimating experience.
• 5+ years leading or managing an estimating group, with a track record of developing talent.
• Deep experience with negotiated work, conceptual estimating, budgeting, and full preconstruction services.
• Experience across delivery methods, including stipulated sum, GMP, and cost plus.
• A history of leading large, complex commercial pursuits and winning them.
• A strong working knowledge of means and methods, scheduling, procurement, and project delivery.
• Sharp communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, and the ability to build relationships that last.
• Comfort with estimating software, project management platforms, and current construction technology.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.

What You'll Gain

Salary: $170,000 - $235,000, based on experience

• A leadership role with real influence over how the company pursues, prices, and wins work.
• Direct collaboration with Operations, Business Development, and executive leadership on every major pursuit.
• The chance to shape an established estimating department through hiring, mentoring, and process improvement.
• Unlimited PTO.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• A well established, growing firm with steady project flow and a strong reputation in the region.