Head of Estimating & Preconstruction

MP RPO; Peabody (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Bonus opportunities

Job summary

MP RPO is seeking a Chief Estimator to lead our commercial estimating and preconstruction efforts in Illinois. In this role, you will guide strategy, mentor senior estimators, set standards, and pursue high-value projects from concept through handoff to operations.

You will collaborate with operations, development, and leadership to win complex bids, manage staffing, improve processes, and adopt new estimating technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of commercial construction estimating experience.
• 5+ years of estimating leadership or management experience.
• Proven experience leading negotiated work, conceptual estimating, budgeting, and preconstruction services.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all estimating and preconstruction activities.
• Develop estimating standards, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage department staffing, workload, recruiting, and team development.
• Lead pursuit strategies for complex commercial construction projects.
• Review conceptual budgets, GMPs, negotiated proposals, and final estimates.
• Partner with Operations, Business Development, and Executive Leadership to develop winning project strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Oversee value engineering, constructability reviews, risk assessments, and logistics planning.
• Mentor and develop Estimators and Senior Estimators while fostering a high-performing culture.
• Monitor market trends, labor availability, material pricing, and subcontractor capacity.
• Champion innovation by improving estimating technology, systems, and processes.
• Contribute to strategic planning and long-term company growth.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Leadership & mentoring

Negotiation

Client relationship management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Project management software

Education

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

Tools

Estimating software

Project management platforms

Construction technology

Job description

MP RPO is seeking a Chief Estimator to lead our commercial estimating and preconstruction efforts in Illinois. In this role, you will guide strategy, mentor senior estimators, set standards, and pursue high-value projects from concept through handoff to operations.

You will collaborate with operations, development, and leadership to win complex bids, manage staffing, improve processes, and adopt new estimating technologies.