Lead Estimator / Business Development Manager

Leaks Construction Group; Ambler (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job description

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Lead Estimator / Business Development Manager to join our growing union carpentry subcontracting firm based in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

This position will be responsible for developing new business opportunities, building relationships with general contractors and construction managers, identifying upcoming projects, and leading the estimating and bidding process from initial opportunity through contract award.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in commercial construction estimating, carpentry subcontracting, and business development within the Philadelphia construction market. This is a key position with significant responsibility for growing the company's backlog and developing long-term customer relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating process for commercial carpentry projects from initial bid invitation through proposal submission.


• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs from architectural and structural drawings.


• Analyze plans, specifications, addenda, and contract documents to identify project scope.


• Develop accurate labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor pricing.


• Prepare detailed estimates, bid summaries, and subcontractor proposals.


• Solicit and evaluate pricing from suppliers and vendors.


• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, assumptions, and potential project risks.


• Perform value engineering and identify cost‑saving opportunities.


• Coordinate with operations to validate labor productivity, manpower requirements, and project schedules.


• Maintain estimating databases, historical costs, labor rates, and production information.


• Participate in bid reviews and provide recommendations regarding bid strategy and project profitability.

Business Development

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with general contractors, construction managers, developers, and owners throughout the Philadelphia region.


• Identify upcoming commercial, multifamily, institutional, healthcare, education, and other construction opportunities.


• Maintain an active pipeline of potential projects and customers.


• Monitor bid opportunities, preconstruction activities, and project schedules.


• Establish relationships with key decision‑makers within target general contracting organizations.


• Schedule and conduct customer meetings and business development calls.


• Attend industry events, networking opportunities, pre‑bid meetings, and contractor outreach events.


• Develop strategies to increase the company's market share and backlog.


• Track customer activity, opportunities, bids, awards, and win/loss information.


• Follow up on submitted proposals and maintain communication through the award process.


• Assist leadership in developing annual sales and backlog goals.


• Develop a targeted list of general contractors and construction managers throughout the Philadelphia market.


• Identify the company's highest‑value target accounts and develop account‑specific strategies.


• Maintain regular communication with existing customers while developing new relationships.


• Monitor competitor activity, market conditions, labor trends, and construction opportunities.


• Develop a strong understanding of the company's competitive advantages and communicate those advantages to prospective customers.


• Represent the company professionally in the marketplace.

Internal Coordination

• Work closely with the President and operations team to establish bidding priorities.


• Provide estimating information to project management and field operations following project award.


• Participate in project turnover meetings to ensure estimated scope, labor assumptions, exclusions, and budget expectations are clearly communicated.


• Assist management in evaluating project opportunities based on risk, profitability, schedule, customer relationship, and available manpower.


• Maintain accurate and organized estimating and business development records.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of commercial construction estimating experience.


• Experience with a carpentry subcontractor strongly preferred.


• Proven ability to perform detailed architectural and structural takeoffs.


• Existing relationships with Philadelphia‑area general contractors and construction managers strongly preferred.


• Experience with union construction is preferred.


• Strong knowledge of commercial carpentry scopes, including framing, drywall, doors/hardware, blocking, and related work.


• Experience with STACK Estimating software preferred, but not required.


• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other construction technology.


• Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, and project specifications.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.


• Excellent organizational and follow‑up skills.


• Ability to manage multiple bids and business development opportunities simultaneously.


• Four‑year college degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred, but not required. Equivalent industry experience will be considered.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a relationship‑driven construction professional who understands both estimating and sales.

This individual should be capable of sitting down with a general contractor to understand an upcoming project, developing the strategy to pursue the opportunity, leading the takeoff and estimate, submitting a competitive proposal, and maintaining the relationship through contract award.

The successful candidate will be entrepreneurial, organized, persistent, and commercially minded, with the ability to help management grow the company's backlog while maintaining disciplined estimating and profitability standards.

Performance Expectations

Success in this position will be measured by:

• Growth in qualified project opportunities and company backlog


• Number and quality of new general contractor relationships


• Bid volume and accuracy


• Bid‑hit/win rate


• Gross profit generated from awarded work


• Development of repeat customers


• Accuracy of project turnover from estimating to operations


• Quality and consistency of the company's estimating pipeline


• Salary range: $105,000–$115,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications


• Competitive benefits package


• Performance‑based compensation opportunities


• Professional growth and advancement opportunities


• Montgomery County‑based office


• Projects primarily located throughout the Philadelphia region

Position Type

Location: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

This is a key leadership position for an experienced construction professional looking to have a direct impact on growth, backlog, customer relationships, and profitability of a successful union carpentry subcontracting company.