Director of Estimating

Spencer Ogden; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in the United States is seeking a Director of Estimating to provide strategic leadership and oversight of estimating operations for large-scale, technically complex construction projects. The role leads multidisciplinary teams, develops conceptual and detailed cost estimates, and crafts competitive bidding strategies to ensure accuracy and commercial viability.

Ideal candidate has 15+ years in construction, 10+ years estimating, and 5+ years of leadership, with EPC/EPCC experience

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in commercial, industrial, or complex construction environments.
• 10+ years estimating, including conceptual and detailed construction estimates.
• 5+ years leading estimating teams, departments, or major project estimating functions.
• Experience leading estimating activities for large-scale EPC/EPCC projects.
• Strong financial, analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement estimating strategies, procedures, and best practices to improve accuracy, efficiency, and competitiveness.
• Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary estimating teams, including estimating managers, senior estimators, and technical specialists.
• Oversee estimating resource allocation, workload planning, and team performance.
• Establish estimating standards, quality controls, and performance metrics.
• Direct the development of conceptual, preliminary, and detailed total-project estimates.
• Oversee estimating across civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, process, and other construction disciplines.
• Manage cost evaluations covering labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, indirect costs, and contingencies.
• Lead the preparation and review of Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation, cost models, and Work Package Estimate breakdowns.
• Oversee estimate risk assessments, cost benchmarking, value engineering, and contingency development.
• Guide teams in developing reliable estimates from limited design information and preliminary engineering documentation.

Skills

Estimating leadership

EPC/EPCC

Cost modeling

Competitive bidding

Executive communication

Team leadership

Construction cost knowledge

Preconstruction pricing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management / Engineering

Tools

WinEst

Accubid

Bluebeam

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Industry: Data Centers, Semiconductors, Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Commercial & Industrial Construction

Location: United States

Company: Confidential

Position Overview

A leading engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) organization is seeking an experienced Director of Estimating to provide strategic leadership and oversight of estimating operations for large-scale, technically complex construction projects.

The Director will lead multidisciplinary estimating teams, oversee conceptual and detailed cost estimates, develop competitive bidding strategies, and ensure the accuracy and commercial viability of major project pursuits.

This position requires a senior estimating leader with extensive EPC/EPCC experience, strong commercial acumen, and a proven ability to manage multiple large-scale project estimates across complex construction environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Estimating Operations

• Develop and implement estimating strategies, procedures, and best practices to improve accuracy, efficiency, and competitiveness.
• Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary estimating teams, including estimating managers, senior estimators, and technical specialists.
• Oversee estimating resource allocation, workload planning, and team performance.
• Establish estimating standards, quality controls, and performance metrics.
• Direct the development of conceptual, preliminary, and detailed total-project estimates.
• Oversee estimating across civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, process, and other construction disciplines.
• Manage cost evaluations covering labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, indirect costs, and contingencies.
• Lead the preparation and review of Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation, cost models, and Work Package Estimate breakdowns.
• Oversee estimate risk assessments, cost benchmarking, value engineering, and contingency development.
• Guide teams in developing reliable estimates from limited design information and preliminary engineering documentation.

Business Development & Competitive Bidding

• Lead estimating strategies for competitive bids, proposals, and major project pursuits.
• Partner with Business Development, Preconstruction, Engineering, and Operations leadership to develop competitive pricing strategies.
• Oversee executive bid reviews, estimate validation, and commercial risk assessments.
• Support negotiations with clients, subcontractors, suppliers, and joint venture partners.
• Evaluate project opportunities and provide recommendations regarding pricing, risk, and commercial feasibility.

Executive & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the senior estimating representative in discussions with executive leadership, clients, and joint venture partners.
• Present, justify, and defend major project estimates and pricing strategies.
• Coordinate estimating activities across Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning teams.
• Collaborate with project executives to align estimates with construction execution strategies.
• Provide strategic cost insights supporting business planning, project selection, and organizational growth.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in commercial, industrial, or complex construction environments.
• 10+ years of estimating experience, including conceptual and detailed construction estimates.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing estimating teams, departments, or major project estimating functions.
• Demonstrated experience leading estimating activities for large-scale EPC/EPCC projects.
• Proven ability to oversee multidisciplinary, total-project estimates rather than exclusively single-trade estimating.
• Extensive experience with competitive bidding, proposal development, cost modeling, and commercial risk management.
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, quantity takeoffs, subcontractor pricing, and project cost structures.
• Ability to develop estimates from preliminary design information and limited project documentation.
• Experience presenting major estimates and pricing strategies to executive leadership and clients.
• Strong financial, analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant estimating leadership experience in mission-critical data centers, semiconductor fabrication facilities, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, or complex industrial construction.
• Experience overseeing major capital projects and large-scale construction programs.
• Previous experience as a Director of Estimating, Head of Estimating, Senior Estimating Manager, or Preconstruction Director.
• Experience establishing or improving organization-wide estimating standards, systems, and processes.
• Familiarity with BIM-based estimating methodologies.
• Proficiency with WinEst, Accubid, Bluebeam, Microsoft Excel, and other estimating platforms.
• Experience leading executive bid approvals and commercial negotiations.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent project pursuits and geographically distributed estimating teams.

Additional Information

• Travel: May be required based on project and business needs.
• Project Focus: Data centers, semiconductors, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and complex industrial facilities.

Ideal Candidate

An accomplished estimating leader with 15+ years of construction industry experience and a proven track record directing multidisciplinary estimating teams on complex EPC/EPCC projects.

The ideal candidate combines technical estimating expertise with strategic leadership, commercial decision-making, and executive-level communication.

Priority will be given to candidates with direct estimating leadership experience in mission-critical data centers, semiconductor facilities, and other high-technology construction environments.