Chief Estimator

Alliance of Professionals & Consultants, Inc. (APC); The Woodlands (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliance of Professionals & Consultants, Inc. (APC) is seeking a seasoned estimating leader to oversee the company's estimating function and pre-construction budgeting across a portfolio of projects in the United States.

You will supervise Estimators, mentor staff, and ensure competitive, accurate cost estimates and budgets. Collaborating with senior leadership, you will align estimates with overall goals and risk tolerance, lead site visits, and manage subcontractor relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive construction estimating experience, including complex or large-scale projects.
• Experience leading an estimating team and mentoring staff is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record delivering accurate, competitive cost estimates and pre-construction budgets.
• Ability to read/conceptual drawings, specifications, and contract documents with ease.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills for client and team interaction.

Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, and manage the estimating function, supervising Estimators and Assistant Estimators.
• Develop and oversee pre-construction budgeting and estimating across projects, ensuring accuracy and competitiveness.
• Establish standardized estimating procedures, templates, unit pricing, and best practices.
• Direct cost analysis, value engineering, and constructability reviews.
• Review project documents for completeness, accuracy, and risk exposure.
• Partner with senior leadership to align estimates with company goals and risk tolerance.
• Oversee subcontractor and vendor bidding and evaluations; build strategic relationships.
• Lead pre-bid site visits to assess field conditions and feasibility.
• Support proposals, client presentations, and pursuit strategy.
• Provide guidance to project teams through preconstruction to construction phase.
• Maintain estimating database and historical cost data.
• Present final estimates and risk assessments to executives and clients as needed.
• Monitor industry trends and material/labor costs to keep assumptions current.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Cost estimation

Pre-construction budgeting

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

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

Tools

Estimating software

Databases

Cost-management tools

Job description

• Lead, direct, and manage the company's estimating function, including supervising, training, and mentoring Estimators and Assistant Estimators
• Develop and oversee the pre-construction budgeting and estimating process across the full project portfolio, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and competitiveness
• Establish and maintain standardized estimating procedures, templates, unit pricing, and best practices company-wide
• Direct preliminary cost analysis, value engineering, and constructability reviews on behalf of the estimating team
• Review and analyze project documents, specifications, drawings, and contract terms for completeness, accuracy, and risk exposure
• Partner with the Director of Construction, Project Executives, and senior leadership to align estimates and pre-construction strategy with overall company goals and risk tolerance
• Oversee subcontractor and vendor bidding, qualification, and evaluation processes; cultivate and maintain strategic subcontractor and supplier relationships
• Lead pre-bid site visits and walkthroughs to assess field conditions, logistics, and project feasibility
• Support business development and proposal efforts, including client presentations, interviews, and pursuit strategy
• Provide ongoing guidance and support to project teams throughout preconstruction and into the construction phase
• Own and continually enhance the company's estimating database, historical cost data, and reference library of proposals and design drawings
• Present final estimates, budgets, and risk assessments to executive leadership and clients as needed
• Monitor industry trends, and material, labor, and market cost fluctuations to keep estimating assumptions current

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive construction estimating experience, including experience leading estimates on complex or large-scale projects
• Prior experience managing, training, or mentoring an estimating team strongly preferred
• Demonstrated track record of delivering accurate, competitive cost estimates and pre-construction budgets
• Advanced ability to read and interpret conceptual drawings, construction plans, specifications, and contract documents
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent the company with clients, subcontractors, and executive leadership
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous projects and estimating priorities under deadline pressure
• Proficiency with estimating software, databases, and cost-management tools
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, in English