Senior / Chief Estimator

Gables Search Group; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

3 weeks vacation

401(k) with match

Bonus opportunity

Relocation assistance

Education reimbursement

Mileage reimbursement

Leadership development

Job summary

Gables Search Group is seeking an experienced commercial construction estimator for an on-site role in Fort Wayne. The position offers either Senior Estimator or Chief Estimator depending on leadership background, with relocation assistance for qualified candidates.

The estimator will work with a team handling projects from $100,000 to $100 million across industrial, higher education, restaurant, and nonprofit sectors, and will supervise the department at the Chief level.

Qualifications

• Seven+ years of commercial construction estimating experience.
• Leadership experience for Chief-level consideration.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of commercial plans, specifications, and CSI divisions.
• Experience with estimating and digital takeoff software.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual through construction-document estimates.
• Interpret drawings, specs, scopes, and self-performed work.
• Complete digital quantity takeoffs and develop pricing.
• Use Timberline for estimating and Procore for subcontractor solicitation.
• Build relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, owners, and architects.
• Create preconstruction, procurement, and construction schedules.
• Prepare work packages and turnover materials for project management.
• Improve estimating procedures, accuracy, and project handoffs.
• Lead the department, assign workloads, coach estimators, and drive accountability (Chief level).

Skills

Estimating experience

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Organization

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management

Civil Engineering

Tools

Timberline

Procore

Microsoft Project

Excel

Word

Job description

We are recruiting an experienced commercial construction estimator for one key opening with an established estimating team. The company will hire either a Senior Estimator or a Chief Estimator, depending on the candidate’s leadership experience. This is an on-site position in Fort Wayne, and the company will pay relocation assistance for a qualified candidate willing to relocate.
The team supports negotiated and hard-bid projects ranging from $100,000 to $100 million across industrial, higher education, restaurant, and nonprofit construction.

What You’ll Do

• Prepare conceptual through construction-document estimates
• Interpret drawings, specifications, scopes, and self-performed work
• Complete digital quantity takeoffs and develop accurate pricing
• Use Timberline for estimating and Procore for subcontractor solicitation
• Build relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, owners, and architects
• Create preconstruction, procurement, and construction schedules
• Prepare work packages and turnover materials for project management
• Improve estimating procedures, accuracy, and project handoffs
• At the Chief level, lead the department, assign workloads, coach estimators, and drive accountability

What We’re Looking For

• Extensive commercial construction estimating experience, typically seven years or more
• Estimating department leadership experience for Chief-level consideration
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field
• Strong knowledge of commercial plans, specifications, and CSI divisions
• Experience with estimating and digital takeoff software
• Strong communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills
• Timberline, Procore, Microsoft Project, Excel, and Word experience preferred

Benefits

• Medical coverage with 90% of employee premiums paid
• Three weeks of vacation plus five wellness days
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) with immediate 100% match up to 4%
• Bonus opportunity
• Education, mileage, and business‑expense reimbursement
• Paid relocation assistance
• Leadership development and advancement opportunities