Estimator - Commercial Pre-Construction

Wright Ryan; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Annual bonus

401(k) match

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Job summary

Wright-Ryan Construction, Inc. seeks an experienced Estimator to drive preconstruction from concept to GMPs for commercial, institutional and residential projects in Maine.

You will develop estimates, perform takeoffs, and level subcontractor bids while coordinating with owners, architects and subcontractors to ensure competitive, accurate bids. You will collaborate with a team, support business development, and help secure new work while maintaining a focus on value, accuracy, and profitability

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of preconstruction management including estimating, cost analysis, risk management, and value engineering.
• Knowledge of construction methods, materials, and delivery methods (DBB, Design-Build, CMAR).
• Ability to review A/E designs and interpret drawings/specs/documents.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills with clients, architects, vendors and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual, schematic, and detailed estimates; perform quantity takeoffs; solicit and level subcontractor bids; deliver accurate GMPs.
• Lead and participate in meetings; prepare agendas and ensure follow-up.
• Contribute to value engineering, constructability reviews, and proposal development.
• Manage preconstruction milestones, schedules, and cost tracking; coordinate with owners, architects, and subs.
• Support business development and help win new work; collaborate with project teams.

Skills

Bid management

Project estimation

Communication

Relationship management

Organization

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Procore

Microsoft Excel

MS Project

Timberline/Ediphi

Drafting & 3D visualization software

Job description

Wright-Ryan has been at the heart of Maine’s construction landscape over the past four decades, crafting spaces that endure. Beyond the blueprint, our team of dedicated professionals sees each project as a partnership in realizing our clients' goals. From the initial stages through project completion, we provide insightful guidance, innovative solutions, and steadfast assistance.

Spanning Commercial, Institutional, and Residential sectors, our firm thrives on diverse and engaging projects. We prioritize a close-knit community and supportive environment, essential to our success as employee owners. At Wright-Ryan, we take pride in our reputation and our role in shaping Maine's great spaces.

Job Overview

Join our Commercial Preconstruction team and help shape some of Maine’s most recognizable buildings across housing, hospitality, higher education, healthcare, and other complex sectors.

As an Estimator, you’ll lead the preconstruction process from early concept through final contract execution. You’ll develop conceptual, schematic, and detailed estimates; perform quantity takeoffs; solicit and level subcontractor bids; and deliver accurate, competitive GMPs that position projects for success.

Working closely with owners, architects, and subcontractors, you’ll build strong partnerships while driving accuracy, value, and alignment at every stage. You’ll also contribute to business development efforts, helping secure new work and support overall revenue and profitability goals.

Job Requirements

• Develop a clear, complete understanding of project scope through detailed review of plans, specifications, and related documents.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs; estimate material and labor costs, solicit and level subcontractor proposals; and compile final GMPs to deliver competitive, accurate bids.
• Lead and actively contribute to in-person and virtual meetings, preparing agendas, guiding discussions and ensuring clear follow-up on action items.
• Contribute to value engineering and constructability reviews; support proposal development and client interviews for commercial projects ranging from $4M–$30M.
• Prepare and manage preconstruction and milestone schedules, prioritizing activities, sequencing work, setting measurable benchmarks, and coordinating clients and consultants to maintain steady project momentum.
• Prepare and manage sequencing and site logistics plans, and subcontractor coordination to ensure smooth project execution.
• Collaborate with subcontractors and suppliers via telephone and in person.
• Lead Precon project kickoff and progress meetings, collaborating closely with Superintendents and Project Managers; manage permitting, and utility coordination.
• Maintain accurate preconstruction job cost tracking, forecasting, and document control, including RFIs, and meeting documentation.

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience managing public and private construction projects through preconstruction including conceptual estimating, cost analysis, risk management, and value engineering.
• Knowledge of construction methods, materials, and delivery methods (Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CMAR) plus familiarity with codes, permitting, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to review A/E designs and read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and project documents.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to build trust, support business development efforts, and collaborate effectively with clients, architects, vendors and internal teams.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong problem-solving abilities and the capacity to manage complex projects under deadline pressure.
• Proficiency in Procore, Microsoft Office (especially Excel), MS Project, and estimating software (Timberline/Ediphi or similar); comfortable leveraging AI and cloud-based tools for bid management, cost forecasting, and proposal development, including Drafting and 3D visualization software.

Pay and Benefits

As a 100% employee-owned company, each employee owner shares in our financial success by receiving shares of company stock at no cost through our ESOP!

In addition to the many benefits of employee-ownership, we offer competitive pay and a strong benefits package, including an annual bonus, 401(k) with company match, comprehensive insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and accident), plus paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities.

Pay Range: $90,000 - $110,000 Annually

Wright-Ryan Construction, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors or other status protected by law.