Chief Estimator

Confidential; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in the Raleigh, North Carolina area seeks a Chief Estimator to lead the estimating department, oversee bid preparation, cost modeling, risk assessment, and strategic decision making for commercial building projects.

You will mentor the estimating staff, maintain cost databases, analyze contracts, coordinate with pre-construction and project teams, and develop competitive pricing with suppliers and subcontractors. Travel regionally as needed.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in commercial construction estimating.
• Experience leading estimating teams.
• Proficiency in risk analysis and cost escalation.
• Bachelor’s degree in CM/CE/Arch or equivalent.
• Travel regionally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the estimating team and processes.
• Prepare and review cost estimates and takeoffs.
• Coordinate with pre-construction, PM, and BD teams.
• Maintain cost database and bid metrics.
• Provide bid strategy input to senior management.
• Support risk review and budgeting for awarded projects.

Skills

Leadership

Cost estimation

Risk analysis

Communication

Team management

Education

Bachelors in CM/CE/Arch

Tools

Timberline

Sage Estimating

Onscreen Take Off

MS Excel

Job description

JOB TITLE

Chief Estimator

LOCATION

Raleigh Area, North Carolina

ROLE SUMMARY

As Chief Estimator you will lead and oversee the estimating department, managing and assisting in bid preparation, cost modeling, risk assessment, and strategic decision making for commercial building projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and manage the estimating team, establishing processes, tools, and workflows to prepare timely, accurate bids.
• Prepare and review cost estimates, quantity take-offs, subcontractor and supplier pricing, escalation assumptions, contingency/risk allowances, and overhead/profit models for commercial building projects.
• Analyze contract documents (drawings, specifications), identify scope, exclusions, risks, constructability issues, and schedule implications.
• Collaborate with pre-construction, project management, operation, and business development teams to coordinate early-phase input and value engineering opportunities.
• Establish and maintain relationships with subcontractors and suppliers to ensure competitive, reliable pricing, especially in the local market.
• Monitor market conditions (labor, materials, subcontractor availability) and update estimating assumptions accordingly.
• Support buyout and procurement strategies for major trades and scopes.
• Maintain a historical cost database, metric tracking (bid-hit ratio, margin analysis) and reporting to senior management.
• Provide strategic input to senior management on bid strategy: which opportunities to pursue, target margin, competitive positioning.
• Ensure estimates align with company values of "doing what is right," excellence in craftmanship, schedule discipline and client satisfaction.
• Coach, mentor, and develop estimating staff, promote continuous improvement, innovation in estimating tools (software, modeling) and cost control practices.
• Assist in risk review and budgeting for awarded projects, support hand-off from estimating to pre-construction / project management teams.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in commercial construction estimating, with at least several bids and award cycles in the $10 to $40 million project size range (or comparable scale).
• Demonstrated experience managing or leading estimating teams and processes.
• Strong knowledge of building construction methods, materials, subcontractor scopes, scheduling, cost escalation.
• Proficiency with estimating software (e.g. Timberline, Sage Estimating, Onscreen Take Off) and MS Excel modeling.
• Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, ability to identify and quantify risk.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills – able to collaborate across teams, present to senior leadership, develop subcontractor relationships.
• Proven track record of successful bid results, margin achievement, and cost-control discipline.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture or similar preferred (or equivalent experience).
• Ability to travel regionally as needed (site visits, subcontractor meetings, client meetings).
• Support business development and management team during pursuits and interviews.
• Contribute to annual business planning and growth strategies.