Chief Estimator — Remote Preconstruction Leader

Vertical Mechanical Group; Reston (VA); Remote; USD 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Remote work with occasional travel to

Job summary

Vertical Mechanical Group (VMG) is seeking a Chief Estimator to lead our estimate function and shape the growth of our Preconstruction team. This remote leadership role requires occasional travel to VMG's Virginia locations, focusing on complex commercial HVAC, plumbing, piping, and mechanical construction.

You will oversee a high-performance estimating team, set standards, refine processes, and guide pricing strategies while collaborating with executives to drive winning proposals.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive estimating experience within commercial mechanical or general construction.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or managing an estimating team or department.
• Strong knowledge of commercial HVAC, plumbing, piping, and mechanical construction systems.
• Extensive experience developing and reviewing complex estimates, budgets, and proposals.
• Strong understanding of labor productivity, material pricing, equipment costs, subcontractor scopes, and construction cost drivers.
• Experience with negotiated work, hard bids, conceptual estimating, and/or design-build projects.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and technical documentation.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with project teams, clients, executives, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Proficiency with estimating software and construction management technology

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Estimators while establishing clear expectations for quality, accuracy, and performance.
• Oversee estimating workload, priorities, assignments, and deadlines across multiple opportunities.
• Review major estimates and proposals for accuracy, completeness, competitiveness, and overall strategy.
• Establish and maintain consistent estimating standards, processes, and best practices.
• Provide technical guidance and support on complex scopes, pricing strategies, and project opportunities.
• Help recruit, develop, and retain strong estimating talent as the organization grows.
• Oversee the development of budgets, conceptual estimates, negotiated proposals, hard bids, and design-build estimates.
• Lead estimating strategy for complex commercial HVAC, plumbing, piping, and mechanical construction projects.
• Evaluate project scope, labor requirements, material costs, equipment, subcontractor pricing, and overall project risk.
• Analyze historical project data, market conditions, labor trends, and material pricing to improve estimating accuracy.
• Identify project risks, opportunities, value-engineering options, and cost-saving strategies.
• Participate in final bid reviews and provide recommendations to executive leadership before submission.
• Collaborate with Executive Leadership, Preconstruction, Operations, Project Management, Engineering, and field teams.
• Lead and participate in preconstruction, scope, and bid review meetings.
• Ensure estimating strategies align with project execution plans and overall business objectives.
• Support successful project handoffs from Preconstruction to Operations.
• Partner with Project Managers and field leadership to incorporate lessons learned into future estimates.
• Serve as a key resource for leadership when evaluating project opportunities and pursuit strategies.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, clients, and industry partners.
• Evaluate subcontractor and supplier proposals to ensure complete and competitive coverage.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen purchasing power and improve overall project value.
• Evaluate and implement estimating tools, technology, and processes that improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Maintain and improve historical cost databases, estimating standards, and benchmarking information.
• Drive continuous improvement throughout the estimating and preconstruction process.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Mentoring team

HVAC knowledge

Plumbing & piping

Design-build experience

Negotiation skills

Reading drawings & specs

Estimating software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Estimating software

Construction management software

Job description

Vertical Mechanical Group (VMG) is seeking a Chief Estimator to lead our estimate function and shape the growth of our Preconstruction team. This remote leadership role requires occasional travel to VMG's Virginia locations, focusing on complex commercial HVAC, plumbing, piping, and mechanical construction.

You will oversee a high-performance estimating team, set standards, refine processes, and guide pricing strategies while collaborating with executives to drive winning proposals.