Lead Estimator

CareerSource Palm Beach County, Inc.; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CareerSource Palm Beach County, Inc. in West Palm Beach, FL is seeking a Lead Estimator for a full-service construction management firm.

The role focuses on budgets, estimates, and preconstruction activities, with leadership of the estimate process and coordination with project teams. Responsibilities include reading plans, developing budgets, preparing cost proposals, and managing bid processes with subcontractors while ensuring timely completion and accuracy of estimates for GMP, lump sum, and

Qualifications

• Residence in Palm Beach County is required.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of commercial construction estimating.
• Knowledge of CSI divisions, cost codes, and job costing.
• Experience with Foundation software is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Interface with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Read plans and specifications; develop budgets and estimates.
• Prepare estimates from drawings and design information.
• Lead preconstruction meetings with owner, architect, engineers, and project team.
• Develop bid lists and cost codes; prepare project cost proposals.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Independent and team work

Prioritize under tight deadlines

Strong organizational skills

Knowledge of current unit pricing

Quantity take-offs and square foot Est

Construction safety awareness

Professional client relations

Nurture repeat business

Strong analytical and problem solving

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Foundation software

Job description

Our employer, a full‑service construction management firm in West Palm Beach, Florida, is in search of a Lead Estimator. As a Lead Estimator, you will be an essential part of the Company, taking full responsibility for assigned budgets, estimates, and preconstruction activities. Lead Estimators plan, direct, and coordinate assigned estimates and preconstruction activities to ensure the goals and objectives of those tasks are accomplished within the scheduled timeframe and funding mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Interface directly with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, etc. as required.
• Perform preliminary site inspections.
• Read and interpret plans and specifications.
• Develop conceptual budgets, schematic estimates and detailed estimates.
• Prepare estimates from drawings, specifications, narratives, and incomplete design information.
• Build and maintain historical cost data for commercial and high‑end residential work.
• Solicit, level, and analyze subcontractor bids.
• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, allowances, escalation exposure, and design risks.
• Evaluate general conditions, schedule impacts, contingency, and appropriate fee assumptions.
• Prepare value‑engineering alternatives without compromising quality or owner objectives.
• Lead preconstruction meetings with the owner, architect, engineers, and project team.
• Produce a clear estimate basis and documented assumptions.
• Identify plan discrepancies and scheduling contingencies.
• Define and develop scopes of work.
• Develop and maintain bid list and relationships with local subcontractors.
• Assist with construction timelines and scheduling parameters.
• Prepare accurate and comprehensive job cost proposals, including GMP, lump sum, cost‑plus, and design‑build bids.
• Assist with client bid packages.
• Produce Project Budget including cost codes with Project Management Input.
• Track/record time to projects.
• Assist the team with Coordination and Turnover Meetings between Lead Estimator and Operations Team.
• Assist in reviewing Preconstruction Invoices produced by accounting for accuracy.
• Aid the Operations Team during Construction regarding questions on preconstruction and estimates and project personnel by providing technical advice and resolution of problems.
• Responsible for personnel evaluations as assigned.
• Hand off the final budget, scope risks, procurement priorities, and schedule assumptions to the Project Executive and VP of Construction.

Qualifications

• Must currently reside in the Palm Beach County area
• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience estimating in Commercial Construction.
• Proficiency in basic construction codes, i.e., CSI Divisions (16 divisions), Cost codes, Job Costing.
• Experience working with Foundation software is a plus.

Required Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, communicating effectively with other employees, subcontractors, and clients.
• Ability to work independently and within a Team.
• Ability to prioritize a variety of tasks while working under tight deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of current unit pricing.
• Proficient in quantity take‑offs and square foot estimating.
• Familiarity with construction safety requirements.
• Exhibits concern for client needs from start to finish.
• Ability to nurture relationships that lead to repeat business.
• Professional demeanor when interacting with clients, professionals, and subcontractors to positively represent the firm.
• Interest and willingness to contribute to organizational structure and process development within the firm.
• Enthusiastic, personally motivated, hardworking, collaborative, and cooperative.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Task and detail oriented in performing necessary documentation.
• Ability to prioritize, manage resources and deliver results on time.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with Foundation software.