Senior Estimating Manager (design-build MEP)

Jobot; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobot seeks a Senior Estimating Manager to lead our estimating program for complex HVAC and piping projects. You will plan, coordinate, and supervise the department, shaping its strategy, standards, and cost models to support corporate objectives.

You will drive bid strategies, oversee software tooling, and mentor a growing team, ensuring accurate estimates and strong client value across projects nationwide.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of mechanical HVAC and piping estimating experience.
• 10+ years aligning estimating objectives with corporate goals and contracts.
• 10+ years using industry-standard estimating and takeoff software.
• 5+ years leading, coaching, and mentoring an estimating team.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and supervise the estimating program to meet objectives.
• Develop and implement department strategy, protocols, policies, and KPIs.
• Lead pre-bid strategy, bid management, and cost database improvements.
• Oversee estimation processes with suppliers, vendors, and subs.
• Administer estimating systems, software updates, and pricing.
• Recruit, train, and mentor the estimating team; foster growth.
• Collaborate with management to select projects to bid and close deals.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Estimating strategy

Takeoff software

Team coaching

Engineering degree

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Estimating software

Job description

RELOCATION REQUIRED & OFFERED (the role is in Rochester, MN) + Large projects ($100M+) + High Growth + Great Culture + High Bonuses

Salary: $105,000 - $158,000 per year

A bit about us:

ENR Top 10 Mechanical Firm

We're one of the country's leading mechanical contractors, delivering HVAC, piping, and mechanical solutions on projects of every size and complexity — from stadiums and hospitals to power plants, manufacturing facilities, concert halls, and classrooms. Operating from multiple regional locations nationwide, we pair the stability, resources, and reach of a national firm with the team culture, creative spirit, and customer loyalty of a local business. We've grown roughly 70% in the past year and have been recognized year after year as a top place to work — a reflection of the flat, highly collaborative culture we've built and the people we keep investing in.

Why join us?

• Real growth, real momentum — ~70% growth in the past year means new projects, new scope, and a clear runway to advance
• Build something that's yours — you're not inheriting a polished machine; you'll architect the estimating department's strategy, standards, and systems from the ground up
• Lead and shape a team — step in as the leader that estimators have been waiting for, with full ownership of how the group develops
• Award-winning, top-workplace culture — recognized year after year, with a flat, collaborative structure where your voice actually carries
• National strength, local feel — the resources and project variety of a national contractor with the tight-knit culture of a local shop

Job Details

RELOCATION REQUIRED & OFFERED (the role is in Rochester, MN)

As Senior Estimating Manager, you will plan, coordinate, and supervise the company's estimating program, providing technical and administrative direction to ensure corporate objectives are met. You'll own the continuous development and improvement of the estimating department — including its protocols, policies, procedures, metrics, historical cost databases, and cost models — and you'll create and implement the department's overall strategy.

Strategic Planning

• Establish standardized procedures, methods, and processes for estimating; oversee analyses of past project performance and set estimating standards for all future estimates; assist in oversight of the historical cost database, bid management, and estimating software
• Actively participate in various corporate strategic initiatives as assigned
• Coordinate and lead pre-bid strategy meetings
• Establish protocols, policies, procedures, and KPIs — and follow up to ensure execution
• Source and analyze competitive bid opportunities in the region

Estimating

• Oversee and/or perform the estimation process, ensuring the team coordinates with suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors
• Oversee and/or prepare estimates utilizing estimating software
• Oversee and/or attend pre-bid, page turn, project turnover, and preplanning meetings as required
• Oversee and/or assist/prepare scope and proposal letters
• Review all final estimate packages to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to formal quotation
• Administer the estimating systems, including software upgrades, training, and pricing updates

Leadership

• Manage the division estimating team — recruiting, training, developing, motivating, and mentoring
• Foster the desired company culture
• Emphasize a strong safety culture at all times
• Provide growth and development opportunities through training and continuing education

Organizational Support and Relationship Building

• Collaborate with corporate and project management to determine which projects to bid, plus strategies and techniques
• Participate in presentations to corporate management and clients; may be responsible for closing the "sale"
• Initiate and lead the project turnover process, including turnover meetings, job set-up, and pre-planning; assist the project team as necessary
• Provide technical assistance in negotiating contracts, change orders, etc. as required
• Work closely with Superintendents and Foremen; provide job information as necessary
• Develop customer partnerships that generate long-term relationships and ongoing opportunities
• Build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation with clients

What We're Looking For In You

• 10+ years of mechanical HVAC and piping estimating experience
• 10+ years of knowledge of corporate objectives impacting estimating, estimating strategies and techniques, and construction contracts
• 10+ years using industry-standard estimating and takeoff software
• 5+ years leading, coaching, and mentoring an estimating team
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a related technical field preferred

Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is Jobot’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Sometimes Jobot is required to perform background checks with your authorization. Jobot will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with any applicable federal, state, or local law regarding criminal backgrounds, including but not limited to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Information collected and processed as part of your Jobot candidate profile, and any job applications, resumes, or other information you choose to submit is subject to Jobot's Privacy Policy, as well as the Jobot California Worker Privacy Notice and Jobot Notice Regarding Automated Employment Decision Tools which are available at jobot.com/legal.

By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Jobot, and/or its agents and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy here: jobot.com/privacy-policy