Project Developer (Estimator & Proposal Designer)

Prairie Barns Construction LLC; Dickinson (ND); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm is seeking a Project Developer to architect the sales process by building accurate budgets and creating compelling proposals. This role sits at the intersection of math and marketing, ensuring proposals are clear and visually appealing. The ideal candidate has construction knowledge and is tech-savvy, with proficiency in JobTread and SmartBuild. Join a company that values grit and culture while having a significant impact on pre-construction operations.

Qualifications

• Must know how a building comes together, with Post-Frame experience preferred.
• Proficiency in JobTread and SmartBuild is highly preferred.
• Ability to write professional, persuasive copy.

Responsibilities

• Build accurate budgets in JobTread, ensuring every cost is accounted for.
• Transform raw data into a polished, brand-aligned proposal document.
• Review final proposal to ensure clarity and confidence for the sales team.

Skills

Construction Knowledge

Proficiency in JobTread

Proficiency in SmartBuild

Writing Skills

Layout and Design Ability

Job description

We are looking for a Project Developer to serve as the architect of our sales process.

Most construction companies have an "Estimator" who just counts beans. We don't want that. We want a partner who can take a rough concept and turn it into a compelling, buildable, and beautiful vision.

You will sit at the intersection of Math and Marketing. You will ensure our numbers are rock-solid (protecting our margin) and our proposals are crystal clear (protecting our brand).

About Prairie Barns Construction

We build for the relentless operators of the Northern Plains. Our clients don't buy buildings; they buy operational uptime and asset protection. Our brand promise is "We've Got You." To deliver on that, we need to provide absolute clarity and confidence before a contract is ever signed.

Your Mission

1. The Science (Estimating): Build accurate budgets so we never lose money on a job.
2. The Art (Proposal Design): Translate those budgets into polished, easy-to-read proposals that help our Sales Consultants close the deal.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Design & Estimating

• Budgeting: Build detailed line-item budgets in JobTread, ensuring every stick of lumber, yard of concrete, and hour of labor is accounted for.
• Material Lists: Generate precise takeoffs for framing, finishes, and accessories. You are the first line of defense against material shortages.
• Vendor Management: Solicit and vet bids from subcontractors and suppliers to ensure our pricing is competitive and current.
• Margin Control: Verify that every estimate meets our Gross Profit targets before it leaves your desk.

2. Proposal Creation & Design

• The "Package": Transform raw data into a stunning, brand-aligned proposal document. You ensure the layout, fonts, and imagery look professional.
• Narrative Writing: Write the "Scope of Work" in plain English. You translate technical jargon into clear value statements so the client understands exactly what they are buying without getting bogged down in confusing details.
• Visuals: incorporate 3D renderings (via SmartBuild or similar tools) into the proposal to help the client visualize the end result.

3. Sales Support

• The Handoff: Review the final proposal with the Project Consultant (Salesperson) to ensure they understand the "Why" behind the price and can present it with confidence.

The Standards You Will Be Held To

• Accuracy: Your estimated costs vs. actual costs must stay within a 5% variance.
• Clarity: Your proposals must answer questions, not create them. "Muddy" or confusing scopes are not accepted.
• Aesthetics: Every document you produce must look like it came from a market leader--perfect formatting, no typos, high-quality images.
• Speed: You maintain a high velocity of proposal turnaround to keep our sales pipeline moving.

Qualifications

• Construction Knowledge: You must know how a building comes together (Post-Frame experience is a massive plus). You know the difference between a header and a purlin.
• Tech Stack: Proficiency in JobTread and SmartBuild is highly preferred. If you don't know them, you must be a fast learner with software.
• The "Eye": You have a knack for layout and design. You hate ugly documents. You know how to use headers, bullet points, and white space to make a document readable.
• Writing Skills: You can write professional, persuasive copy that builds trust.

Why Join Us?

• Impact: You aren't just a back-office calculator. You are a key driver of our revenue engine.
• Growth: We are scaling to $20M+. This role is the foundation of our Pre-Construction department.
• Culture: We value grit, reliability, and straight answers. We take care of our people so they can take care of our clients.

To Apply: Submit your resume. Bonus: If you have a sample of a proposal, estimate, or professional document you have created in the past, please attach it (redacted is fine). We want to see your attention to detail and design.