Chief Estimator

Talent Road LLC; Peabody (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent Road LLC in Peabody, MA seeks a seasoned Chief Estimator to lead our estimating and preconstruction team from concept through handoff to operations.

You will shape strategy, mentor top talent, and drive strategic project pursuits for complex commercial construction. The role requires leadership across departments and a strong track record in negotiated work and budgeting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of commercial construction estimating experience.
• 5+ years of estimating leadership or management experience.
• Proven experience leading negotiated work, conceptual estimating, budgeting, and preconstruction services.
• Demonstrated success managing large, complex commercial construction pursuits.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, scheduling, procurement, project delivery, and risk management.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing estimating teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and client relationship skills.
• Proficiency with estimating software, project management platforms, and construction technology.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all estimating and preconstruction activities.
• Develop estimating standards, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage department staffing, workload, recruiting, and team development.
• Lead pursuit strategies for complex commercial construction projects.
• Review conceptual budgets, GMPs, negotiated proposals, and final estimates.
• Partner with Operations, Business Development, and Executive Leadership to develop winning project strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Oversee value engineering, constructability reviews, risk assessments, and logistics planning.
• Mentor and develop estimators while fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture.
• Monitor market trends, labor availability, material pricing, and subcontractor capacity.
• Champion innovation by improving estimating technology, systems, and processes.
• Contribute to strategic planning and long-term company growth.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Client relationships

Mentoring

Strategic pursuits

Negotiated work

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Estimating software

PM platforms

Job description

Lead Strategy. Build Winning Teams. Shape the Future of Construction.

Are you a seasoned Chief Estimator or Senior Estimating Leader ready to make a significant impact? We're seeking an experienced commercial construction professional to lead our estimating and preconstruction team, driving strategic project pursuits, mentoring top talent, and helping shape the future growth of a thriving organization.

If you're a collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building relationships, and has a passion for winning complex commercial projects, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

As the Chief Estimator, you'll serve as a key member of the leadership team, overseeing all estimating and preconstruction functions while ensuring projects are positioned for success from concept through handoff to operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead and oversee all estimating and preconstruction activities.
• Develop estimating standards, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage department staffing, workload, recruiting, and team development.
• Lead pursuit strategies for complex commercial construction projects.
• Review conceptual budgets, GMPs, negotiated proposals, and final estimates.
• Partner closely with Operations, Business Development, and Executive Leadership to develop winning project strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Oversee value engineering, constructability reviews, risk assessments, and logistics planning.
• Mentor and develop Estimators and Senior Estimators while fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture.
• Monitor market trends, labor availability, material pricing, and subcontractor capacity.
• Champion innovation by improving estimating technology, systems, and processes.
• Contribute to strategic planning and long-term company growth.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of commercial construction estimating experience.
• 5+ years of estimating leadership or management experience.
• Proven experience leading negotiated work, conceptual estimating, budgeting, and preconstruction services.
• Demonstrated success managing large, complex commercial construction pursuits.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, scheduling, procurement, project delivery, and risk management.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing estimating teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and client relationship skills.
• Proficiency with estimating software, project management platforms, and construction technology.

What Makes You Successful

We're looking for someone who:

• Thinks strategically while remaining detail-oriented.
• Builds trust and long-lasting client relationships.
• Leads with confidence, humility, and accountability.
• Excels in mentoring and developing future leaders.
• Thrives in a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.
• Can balance multiple priorities while delivering accurate, competitive estimates.
• Brings an innovative mindset and embraces technology to improve processes.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to join an organization experiencing tremendous growth, where you'll have the ability to influence strategy, build a high-performing estimating team, and play a pivotal role in securing exciting commercial construction projects.

You'll work alongside an engaged leadership team that values:

• Continuous learning and professional growth
• Innovation and forward-thinking ideas
• Strong client relationships
• Accountability and ownership
• A culture where every team member has a voice
• Robust health insurance with 80% of employee premiums paid by the company
• Competitive annual salary plus performance-based bonus opportunities

If you're looking for a leadership role where you can make a lasting impact on both projects and people, we'd love to connect with you.