Lead Estimator - Commercial Construction

London Approach; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

London Approach is seeking a Lead Estimator to oversee estimating and preconstruction for a diverse commercial portfolio across the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in commercial estimating, deep regional knowledge, and a track record of winning work and transitioning projects to operations. Leadership and collaboration with trade partners are essential.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive commercial construction estimating and preconstruction experience, including leadership responsibility on complex projects.
• Demonstrated experience estimating commercial construction work in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia market.
• Strong, established relationships with regional subcontractors, suppliers, developers, owners, architects, engineers, and other professionals.
• Experience with hard-bid, negotiated, GMP, design-build, and other collaborative delivery methods.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent, relevant construction experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of accurate, competitive estimates, budgets, GMPs, proposals, and bid submissions for commercial construction projects.
• Manage the full estimating process, from initial pursuit and document review through final pricing and turnover to operations.
• Perform quantity takeoffs, scope development, cost analysis, subcontractor solicitation, bid leveling, and final estimate reviews.
• Develop conceptual estimates and detailed budgets across all design stages (preliminary to hard-bid).
• Review drawings, specs, contract requirements, alternates, allowances, and pricing considerations to identify gaps and risks.
• Identify opportunities and help mitigate estimating, scope, contractual, scheduling, and financial risks.

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Budgeting

Bid management

Leadership

Risk assessment

Negotiation

Communication

Education

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

Tools

Excel

Estimating software

Project management software

Job description

A growing, relationship-driven commercial general contractor is seeking an experienced Lead Estimator to oversee estimating and preconstruction efforts for a diverse portfolio of commercial construction projects throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region.

This individual will be a senior member of the preconstruction team, responsible for evaluating opportunities, developing competitive budgets and proposals, leading bid efforts, strengthening trade-partner relationships, and helping drive profitable growth. The ideal candidate has deep familiarity with the regional commercial construction market and a proven ability to pursue, win, and successfully transition projects into operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of accurate, competitive estimates, budgets, GMPs, proposals, and bid submissions for commercial construction projects.
• Manage the full estimating process, from initial project pursuit and document review through final pricing, proposal submission, and turnover to operations.
• Perform quantity takeoffs, scope development, cost analysis, subcontractor solicitation, bid leveling, proposal comparisons, and final estimate reviews.
• Develop conceptual estimates and detailed budgets at all design stages, including preliminary, schematic, design-development, construction-document, negotiated, and hard-bid phases.
• Review drawings, specifications, bid documents, contract requirements, alternates, allowances, and clarifications to identify scope gaps, exclusions, risks, and pricing considerations.
• Evaluate potential project opportunities based on strategic fit, market conditions, staffing and operational capacity, risk profile, anticipated profitability, and probability of award.
• Identify and help mitigate estimating, scope, contractual, scheduling, procurement, and financial risks during preconstruction.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, owners, developers, consultants, and other industry partners.
• Strengthen trade-partner participation and bid coverage while ensuring competitive pricing and complete scope alignment.
• Monitor regional construction-market conditions, including subcontractor availability, labor trends, material pricing, competitive activity, and upcoming project opportunities.
• Maintain and improve historical cost data, subcontractor and supplier databases, unit-pricing information, labor-productivity data, and post-bid lessons learned.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership, business development, operations, project management, and design-build teams to support strategic pursuits and growth initiatives.
• Lead, coach, and mentor estimators and junior team members; provide technical direction, review work product, and share best practices.
• Promote consistency, accountability, efficiency, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the estimating function.
• Support a thorough handoff of awarded projects to project management and field operations teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred; equivalent, relevant construction experience will be considered.
• 8+ years of progressive commercial construction estimating and preconstruction experience, including leadership responsibility on complex projects.
• Demonstrated experience estimating commercial construction work in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia market.
• Strong, established relationships with regional subcontractors, suppliers, developers, owners, architects, engineers, and other commercial construction professionals preferred.
• Proven knowledge of local construction practices, subcontractor capabilities, labor conditions, material costs, procurement challenges, and competitive market dynamics.
• Experience with hard-bid, negotiated, GMP, design-build, and other collaborative commercial construction delivery methods.
• Strong ability to read, interpret, and analyze construction drawings, specifications, scopes of work, bid instructions, contract documents, and project schedules.
• Demonstrated ability to develop both detailed estimates and conceptual budgets using incomplete, evolving, or early-stage design documents.
• Proficiency with construction estimating, bid-management, takeoff, spreadsheet, and project-management software.
• Strong analytical, financial, organizational, negotiation, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to clearly present budgets, estimates, assumptions, recommendations, value-engineering options, and risk assessments to senior leadership, clients, and project teams.
• Ability to manage multiple active pursuits and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Professional Expectations

• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, sound judgment, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Maintain the confidentiality of company, client, subcontractor, and project information.
• Build positive and productive relationships with internal teams, trade partners, vendors, clients, and other external stakeholders.
• Take a proactive approach to risk identification, problem-solving, process improvement, and pursuit strategy.
• Follow all company safety requirements, ethical standards, policies, and procedures.
• Contribute to a culture focused on teamwork, quality, client service, and long-term business relationships.