Chief Estimator

C.E. Gleeson Constructors, Inc.; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

C.E. Gleeson Constructors, Inc. seeks a full-time Chief Estimator in Charlotte, NC to lead the estimating function for commercial, industrial, institutional, retail, and multi-family projects.

You will prepare detailed cost estimates, budgets, and bids from concept through construction documents, while ensuring accuracy and competitiveness. Ideal candidates possess strong pre-construction skills, the ability to drive growth, and the leadership to manage an estimating team, with autonomy and

Qualifications

• Strong estimating expertise across commercial, industrial, institutional, retail, and multi-family work.
• Proficiency with estimating software, spreadsheets, and digital take-off tools.
• Lead and develop an estimating team and coordinate with PM, field ops, and business development.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and time-management skills for multiple bids.
• Clear written and verbal communication to stakeholders and clients.
• Solid understanding of construction means/methods, codes, and market pricing.
• Experience with pre-construction services such as conceptual estimating, VE, and budget development.
• Experience driving growth and converting leads to long-term revenue streams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating for commercial, industrial, institutional, retail, and multi-family projects.
• Review plans/specs, perform quantity take-offs, solicit quotes, and craft bids.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and constructability issues.
• Drive expansion efforts in the South East and develop partnerships.
• Collaborate with project management, field operations, and business development to win work.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Cost analysis

Quantity take-offs

Bid preparation

Reading drawings

Communication skills

Team development

Pre-construction knowledge

Value engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field

Tools

Estimating software

Spreadsheets

Digital take-off tools

Job description

Company Description

C.E. Gleeson Constructors, Inc. is a General Contractor and Construction Management company specializing in commercial, industrial, institutional, retail, and multi-family building projects. With more than 100 years of experience and four generations of continuous family ownership, the company combines longstanding values of integrity with modern construction technologies and methods. Gleeson Constructors provides comprehensive services including pre-construction, general construction, construction management, and design-build, tailored to each client’s needs. The company delivers new construction, additions, and renovations nationwide from its corporate headquarters in Troy, Michigan, with division offices in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. Team members join a client-focused organization committed to turning project visions into successful, high-quality built environments.

Role Description

The Chief Estimator is a full-time, on-site role based in Charlotte, NC, responsible for leading and managing the estimating function for commercial, industrial, institutional, retail, and multi-family construction projects. This role performs the preparation of detailed cost estimates, budgets, and bids from conceptual and schematic design through final construction documents, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and alignment with company standards. The Chief Estimator will review plans and specifications, perform quantity take-offs, solicit and evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotes, and identify cost-saving opportunities and constructability issues. In addition to estimating, our ideal candidate will possess a Business Development skillset to help drive our expansion efforts in the South East. They will utilize their experiences to procure million dollar partnerships, drive growth, and leverage relationships into large scale project awards. The role itself will offer a high level of autonomy, with potential to grow into a director type role in this region.

Qualifications

• Strong estimating expertise in commercial, industrial, institutional, retail, and/or multi-family construction, including quantity take-offs, cost analysis, and bid preparation.
• Proficiency with estimating software, spreadsheets, and digital take-off tools, along with solid skills in reading and interpreting construction drawings and specifications.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop an estimating team, coordinate cross-functional efforts, and collaborate effectively with project management, field operations, and business development.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present estimates and strategies clearly to internal stakeholders and clients.
• Thorough understanding of construction means and methods, building codes, materials, subcontractor trades, and market pricing.
• Experience with pre-construction services such as conceptual estimating, value engineering, and budget development.
• Experience with Driving Growth, and Converting Leads into long term revenue streams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and