Estimating Manager

Impact Partners Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Impact Partners Group seeks an experienced Estimating Manager to lead our estimating team in the electrical and lighting sector in Chicago. This hands-on leadership role requires building accurate, competitive estimates while managing people, priorities, and tight deadlines.

You will oversee the estimating function, drive high-priority bids, review plans and drawings, and collaborate with sales, purchasing, project management, and operations to improve margins and win profitable work.

Qualifications

• Proven management-level experience in electrical and/or lighting estimating.
• Strong knowledge of electrical and lighting distribution.
• Experience leading and developing estimators.
• Ability to independently estimate large, complex projects.
• Strong grasp of construction documents, specs, and drawings.
• Excellent Excel and estimating software skills.
• Strong communicator, cross-functional collaborator.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop the estimating team.
• Oversee the estimating pipeline and assign work by complexity and deadlines.
• Prepare and review estimates for large, high-priority opportunities.
• Review plans, specs, fixture schedules, drawings, and bid documents.
• Build accurate material takeoffs and pricing for electrical and lighting packages.
• Work with manufacturers and vendors on pricing, lead times, and value-engineering.
• Set and improve estimating standards, processes, and tools.
• Track estimating accuracy and drive margin improvement.
• Partner closely with sales, purchasing, project management, and operations.
• Flag scope gaps, exclusions, and project risk before bids go out.
• Help build a high-performing estimating department to support continued growth.

Skills

Estimating management

Electrical estimating

Leadership

Excel

Cross-functional comms

Vendor coordination

Tools

Estimating software

Excel

Job description

Our client is looking for an experienced Estimating Manager to lead our estimating team and play a key role in our continued growth across the electrical and lighting industry.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who knows electrical and lighting distribution inside and out, can build accurate and competitive estimates, and knows how to manage people, priorities, and deadlines under real pressure. You'll oversee the estimating function while personally driving our most complex and strategic bids.

What You'll Do

• Lead, manage, and develop the estimating team
• Oversee the estimating pipeline, assigning work based on complexity and deadlines
• Personally prepare and review estimates for large, high-priority opportunities
• Review plans, specs, fixture schedules, drawings, and bid documents
• Build accurate material takeoffs and pricing for electrical and lighting packages
• Work with manufacturers and vendors on pricing, lead times, and value-engineering
• Set and improve estimating standards, processes, and tools
• Track estimating accuracy and drive margin improvement
• Partner closely with sales, purchasing, project management, and operations
• Flag scope gaps, exclusions, and project risk before bids go out
• Help build a high‑performing estimating department to support continued growth

What We’re Looking For

• Proven management‑level experience in electrical and/or lighting estimating
• Strong knowledge of electrical and lighting distribution
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing estimators
• Ability to independently estimate large, complex projects
• Strong grasp of construction documents, specs, and drawings
• Excellent Excel and estimating software skills
• Strong communicator, comfortable working cross‑functionally

The Ideal Candidate

You’re both a leader and an estimator. You enjoy developing people and improving process, but you’re just as willing to roll up your sleeves on a critical bid when it matters. You know that great estimating isn’t just a takeoff — it’s understanding the project, spotting risk, finding opportunity, and helping the business win profitable work.

Some travel required to jobsites and our East Coast branch.